Stetson Bennett announces he's returning to Georgia for sixth season

Stetson Bennett heard the cries for one more year, and couldn't help but say yes.

Georgia's championship-winning quarterback announced Wednesday he will return to school for his sixth and final college season. Bennett led the Bulldogs to their first national championship since 1980 just over a week ago as they beat Alabama 33-18.

Bennett, who grew up with the dream of being a Bulldog, first came to Georgia as a walk-on in 2017. After struggling to rise up the depth chart, he transferred to Jones County Junior College in Mississippi. He played there for just one season before Georgia called offering a scholarship, as they were in need of a backup quarterback after Justin Fields transferred to Ohio State.

In 2019, Bennett served as backup to Jake Fromm. He got a crack at the starting role in 2020 but ultimately lost the job to incoming transfer JT Daniels, who also started to begin the 2021 season. 

Bennett took over once again after Daniels went down with injury, and this time never lost hold of the job. He led the Bulldogs to a 12-1 finish to the regular season and the No. 3 seed in the final College Football Playoff rankings.

Behind Bennett, Georgia cruised past Michigan in the Orange Bowl to get to a rematch with Alabama in the title game. The Bulldogs got revenge over the Crimson Tide to secure the title, thanks in part to a 224-yard, two-touchdown performance by Bennett.

Georgia will open next season against Oregon on Sept. 3 in Atlanta.