ATHENS — Stetson Bennett seems destined to make it big in Los Angeles, if not on the football field, than perhaps in Hollywood.
First things first, Bennett will get his shot with the Rams after being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft last Saturday.
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The former Georgia quarterback could not have landed in a better situation than stepping into the back-up role behind Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford.
Stafford has added incentive to help out a fellow UGA football player, and Bennett has motivation to stay ready with Stafford’s well-documented spinal cord issue.
The Mailman might literally be one snap away from becoming an NFL starter in 2023 with a strong offseason.
To be clear, Bennett’s focus as he heads to Los Angeles is on making it big in SoFi Stadium.
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“Stetson is fully focused on being the best teammate and quarterback possible,” said Dan Everett, founder and president of the ESM Sports Management agency. “I do not expect a television and/or movie opportunities to be procured in the near future.”
Fair enough, but no one expected CFP Championship MVP trophies or a professional football opportunity for Bennett when he exited Pierce County (Ga.) High School as a 3-star prospect ranked 2,569th in the nation by 247Sports with no Power 5 offers.
So if or when pro football doesn’t work out, don’t rule out Bennett ending up on an even bigger stage in Hollywood.
After all, who better to play Stetson Bennett in a movie or documentary than ….. Stetson Bennett?
Bennett has the persona and qualities to cut it as an actor. He might not have graduated in his six years of college, but that was more about his disinterest in the classroom than his intelligence.
Bennett’s ACT score was over 30 and he piloted one of the most complex offenses in college football to back-to-back national championships.
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One of the most attractive traits Bennett possesses is his ambition, which exceeds what most everyone on the outside could possibly perceive.
Kirby Smart recognized it, even if former UGA offensive coordinator Todd Monken didn’t, essentially dropping Bennett to fourth string in the 2021 spring game.
Bennett’s resiliency and confidence in himself is what enabled to him to climb to the top.
It wasn’t about being motivated to prove others wrong — it was merely a matter of Bennett proving himself right.
Bennett’s physical tools and supporting cast will ultimately decide how far he goes in the NFL.
But his personality — which included a healthy ego, along with his quest for greatness -- does not figure to change.
To be clear, Bennett has had his struggles learning to handle his success. His recent off-field issues were well-documented, and he proved during Georgia’s championship parade he has no interest in being a role model at this stage of his young career.
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But spending time around Stafford will provide tremendously positive influence.
Los Angeles’ Super Bowl champion quarterback is known to be the consummate pro and locker room figure.
It’s too early to sell Bennett’s football future short — those that do will do so at their own risk.
But there’s always life after football.
For some that means moving to the sideline as a coach to develop and mentor young players.
Others use their fame to take a place in the broadcast booth, or turn to marketing and investment firms where they use their popularity to attract investors.
Bennett does not seem to fit the mold for those sorts of ventures.
For now, Bennett’s focus is on playing football as long as he can, which looks more likely now than ever with the Golden State opportunity that has fallen into his lap.
There had been pre-draft talk that anything was possible where Bennett’s future was concerned; he could be winning Super Bowls in the next three years or selling Subarus in South Georgia.
But now that Bennett is headed Los Angeles?
The future appears bright, with the glitz and glamor of becoming a NFL quarterback with the Rams.
All Bennett wanted at Georgia was an opportunity and look how it all unfolded.
Now, with the Rams, the former college walk-on and junior college quarterback is ready to backup a Super Bowl champion who was once a 5-star recruit and No. 1 overall draft pick.
Bennett’s Hollywood Story might just be getting started at a time many thought it might be coming to an end.
