Walk-on to Heisman Trophy finalist: Georgia's Stetson Bennett heading to New York

The storybook college football career of Stetson Bennett IV added another improbable twist on Monday night.

The Georgia quarterback who arrived as a walk-on is heading to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Bennett, who helped lead Georgia to the national championship last season and is two wins away from doing it again this season, may have convinced voters Saturday in the Bulldogs’ 50-30 win over LSU for the SEC championship.

He was named game MVP after completing 23 of 29 passes for 274 yards with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions.

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He’s one of four finalists for college football’s most prestigious individual award along with Southern Cal quarterback Caleb Williams, TCU quarterback Max Duggan and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Bennett, who came to Georgia as a walk-on in 2017, becomes the first Georgia player to be named a Heisman finalist since running back Garrison Hearst in 1992 when he finished third in the voting.

Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield — the Heisman winner in 2017 — is the only previous Heisman finalist who was a walk-on in his career, according to The Heisman Trophy Trust which began officially recognizing Heisman finalists in 1982.

Bennett on Monday night was in Bentonville, Ark., with his parents and two of his brothers for the Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony as one of three finalists for an award that goes to the top player who began their career as a walk-on.

"Holy cow!" his mother Denise said via text after learning Stetson was named a finalist. "I'm speechless for sure."

The Heisman finalist announcement came hours before Bennett won the Burlsworth.

"I wish each and every one of my teammates could be here," he said while accepting the award. "They took the easy way out and got scholarships out of high school."

Bennett transferred from Georgia to Jones College in Mississippi in 2018 but returned to Athens on scholarship after one season.

Bennett also issued a comment through UGA athletics Monday.

"I don’t even know what to think right now," he said. "We have a lot of good players who make me look good. It’s special. This honor is all about my teammates and this team. I wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have the team that we have. This honor is for them. I understand what Coach (Kirby) Smart means when he says that success comes to those who don’t look for it or are too busy working to look for it."

He added: "I have never thought about the Heisman.  I just wanted to play quarterback at Georgia.  I just wanted to play football.  I’m thinking of the players and people who have been in this with me.  Regardless of who wins, it’s a huge honor to be in this group.  The wideouts, tight ends, running backs, offensive line, defense, coaches – I wouldn’t have this opportunity without them so a ton of gratitude for them."

The Heisman has 929 electors this year — 870 media members, 58 living Heisman winners and one overall fan vote. They submit three names on their online ballot, ranking them in order of selection.

Bennett, the sixth-year senior from Blackshear, Ga., doesn’t have the most eye-popping numbers. He has thrown for 3,425 yards with 20 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while completing 68 percent of his passes, but has helped Georgia to a 13-0 season this year.

In Georgia’s three biggest games — against top 15 opponents Oregon, Tennessee and LSU — Bennett completed 65 of 85 passes (76.5 percent) for 899 yards with 8 touchdowns and 0 interceptions and 2 rushing touchdowns.

His ability to make plays with his feet has helped limit him to being sacked just seven times this season and none in the last six games. He’s rushed for seven touchdowns and 184 yards this season.

Heisman Trophy finalists take part in the awards ceremony which takes place Saturday at 8 p.m. in Jazz at Lincoln Center at Columbus Circle and is aired on ESPN.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: UGA football QB Stetson Bennett a Heisman Trophy finalist