ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia senior Stetson Bennett has been named one of three finalists for the Burlsworth Trophy presented to country’s most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on, according to an announcement from the selection committee.

 

Bennett, a native of Blackshear, Ga., joins Arkansas’ Grant Morgan and Troy University’s Carlton Martial as the three finalists.  Finalists will be honored and the winner of the 2021 Burlsworth Trophy will be announced on Dec. 6th at 8:00 p.m. ET at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark.

Former Bulldog All-American and current Indianapolis Colt Rodrigo Blankenship was also a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy in 2019.

 

Bennett’s career with the Bulldogs began in 2017 as he redshirted and served as a scout team quarterback during Georgia’s run to the SEC title, Rose Bowl Game championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.  Aiming to get more game experience, Bennett transferred to Jones College (Miss.) in 2018 and led the Bobcats to a 10-2 record, including a Mississippi Bowl victory.  He returned to Athens for the 2019 season and played in five games, including a reserve role versus Murray State that featured two passing touchdowns and one rushing score.  The 2020 season saw Bennett come off the bench to lead Georgia to a road victory in the season opener and then start the next five games, which included wins over ranked Auburn and Tennessee squads.

 

This season, Bennett has started seven of top-ranked Georgia’s 10 games, leading the Bulldogs to victories versus UAB, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 18 Auburn, No. 11 Kentucky, Florida, Missouri and Tennessee.  He has completed 97 of 149 passes for 1,625 yards and 15 touchdowns to go along with only four interceptions.  Bennett is currently on pace to sport the third-best completion percentage for a season in school history (65.1) and has 35 rushes for 274 yards (6.7 average).

 

The No. 1 Bulldogs (10-0, 8-0 SEC) play host to Charleston Southern (4-5, 3-4 Big South) on Saturday.  SECN+ will stream the matchup at 12 p.m.