Atlanta Weather

| Traffic

Search
UGA sports blog

Michael Bennett proving to be a big catch for UGA

7:00 am September 21, 2012, by Tim Tucker

Michael Bennett had career-high 110 receiving yards against Florida Atlantic, including a career-long 67-yard TD. (UGA photo/Jim Hipple)

Michael Bennett had career-high 110 receiving yards against Florida Atlantic, including a career-long 67-yard TD. (UGA photo/Jim Hipple)

ATHENS — When Georgia coach Mark Richt offered Alpharetta High wide receiver Michael Bennett a scholarship in the summer of 2009, Bennett resisted the urge to accept on the spot.

“I felt like that might seem a little desperate,” Bennett said with a laugh this week. “So I gave it a few days.”

Georgia was the first — and as it turned out the only — SEC school to offer Bennett a scholarship. Richt made the offer on the spot after watching Bennett, who was about to enter his senior year of high school at the time, catch passes against some of the Southeast’s top cornerback prospects during a camp on the UGA campus. The skills Richt saw that day are becoming apparent to all.

After redshirting as a UGA freshman in 2010 and showing considerable promise in 2011, Bennett has emerged as the Bulldogs’ most productive receiver in the early stages of this season. Through three games, he leads the team in catches (17) and receiving yards (265).

Two weeks ago, he had a career-high eight catches against Missouri. Last week, he had a career-high 110 receiving yards against Florida Atlantic, including a career-long 67-yard touchdown catch.

The recruiting services ranked the 6-foot-3 Bennett as a three-star prospect in high school. But when he attended the “Mark Richt Camp” in Athens in June 2009, a number of four- and five-star defensive backs were on the field with him.

“It was actually a camp where we felt we had gotten some of the better cover cornerbacks to come and participate, some kids from around the Southeast,” Richt recalled. “We were really anxious to see what those guys could do. And then Michael Bennett showed up and started whipping ’em.”

During a camp lunch break, as Richt remembers it, the Georgia coach mentioned to his staff that the kid from Alpharetta made an impression on him during the morning session. He told his assistants to keep an eye on Bennett in the afternoon session and to continue testing him by matching him up against the best defensive backs because “we might offer this kid.”

“Sure enough, the second half of the camp, he continued to do what he did the first half,” said Richt, who recalled being impressed by Bennett’s route-running, hands, toughness, competitiveness and size. “So at the end of the camp, we offered him.”

Bennett remembers every detail of that day, from the weather (“real hot”) to Richt’s brief hesitation before offering.

“Coach Richt came up to me and was, like, ‘I don’t know if we’re ready to offer you yet,’” Bennett said. “I was, like, ‘Here we go again.’ My dad and I were kind of disappointed.”

Richt stepped away to consult with an assistant coach.

“He came back 30 seconds later and was, like, ‘All right, we’re going to offer you,’” Bennett said. “I was just, like, ‘Oh my gosh, those are the best words ever.’”

A few days later, Bennett committed to Georgia. At that point, he also had offers from Big Ten schools Wisconsin and Indiana, among others, but “I kind of wanted to stay close to home.”

In the three-plus years since, Bennett “has muscled up” and “gotten even better at what he does,” Richt said. “He likes every aspect of the game. He blocks well. He catches balls in traffic. We’ve seen him go deep a couple of times. Last year, he had a couple of phenomenal catches — one against Florida on fourth down and one against Auburn early in the game [both for touchdowns]. He’s just been very reliable for us.” Oh, and he has “pretty good game speed,” Richt said.

All in all, not bad for a three-star recruit.

“I wasn’t recruited highly coming in, so I’ve always had a little chip on my shoulder,” Bennett said. “To go in and contribute like this has been a real goal of mine.”

Bennett is part of a deep group of wide receivers that has prompted Georgia to increasingly embrace four-receiver sets. Three games into the season, three different Bulldogs have posted 100-yard receiving games: Tavarres King against Buffalo (117 yards), Marlon Brown against Missouri (106) and Bennett against Florida Atlantic. Rantavious Wooten and Chris Conley also are threats at wide receiver, and the position should grow stronger with the plan to expand receiver/cornerback Malcolm Mitchell’s offensive role.

Bennett is beginning to shake the label of “possession receiver,” which implies a lack of breakaway speed.

“He definitely hates that label,” Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray said.

Said King: “He’s going to be great before he leaves here.”

– Tim Tucker

COVERAGE LEADING UP TO  GEORGIA-VANDERBILT GAME:

  • Print

164 comments Add your comment

Lions Den - MLK HS

September 21st, 2012
12:21 pm

Great article and kudos to Michael Bennett. This young man has become one of my favorite players, need more like him.

Let’s go Blake Tibbs – S. Dekalb County Community is pulling for ya!

Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville

September 21st, 2012
12:24 pm

Vandy’s gameplan is for their smart mouth clown coach to act like an idiot on the sideline to devert a beat down at the hands of UGA from happening

Neutral

September 21st, 2012
12:26 pm

@joe @9:43
You asked the question and yes indeed I believe UGa can beat all of the teams on your list (several of them 70% of the time). The only one that would require us playing over our heads would be Bama because they are close to being an NFL team!!! By the way, Bama can routinely beat all the teams on your list.

Yellow Fuzz

September 21st, 2012
12:30 pm

I know him. Class act even if he went to the wrong school

Yellow Fuzz

September 21st, 2012
12:32 pm

I know him. Class act (unlike many of the dog nation posters that frequent here). Even if he went to the wrong school

Joey

September 21st, 2012
12:51 pm

Yeah, too bad we can’t all be “class acts” like st simons, UOAD, and GTBob . . .

Tom in Marietta

September 21st, 2012
12:57 pm

After the MO game, I wanted to be the first to say that this is the Dawgs’ year. I see so much promise because very little expectations was put on them BY US! No one was saying this may be the year and the kids were hearing it every where. Now they are proving it to themselves. I don’t know about you guys but I am very hopeful that this may be 1980! Go Dawgs…Sic ‘em!!!!

Bernie Matt

September 21st, 2012
1:04 pm

Bennett is a BALLER. He competes and he has the requisite skill level. I recognized it that same day and thought that Richt might miss out, but he stepped up and offered. Keep Ballin Bennett!

Half Century Dawg

September 21st, 2012
1:06 pm

Great receiver and DGD. I would consider the possession receiver label an honor. To me it means you are dependable and can be counted on to come through with a big catch at a critical time in the game.

GB's Hamburgers

September 21st, 2012
1:06 pm

The best part of the story is the coaches recognition of his talent regardless of where the “system” had him rated. Sometimes the “star” system feeds on itself and some of the folks on top end up to be “ringers.” Years ago Georgia native, Morgan Hout, at Liberty University, had a knack for chosing players. During his time there he put more players into the pros than did most SEC schools. Most were not on anyone’s radar but his. So, well played UGA staff. It’s called doing your homework.

JaxDawg

September 21st, 2012
1:08 pm

Reminds me of Edward McCaffrey and Golden Richards. This kid will play in the NFL.

Neutral

September 21st, 2012
1:08 pm

The announcers during the UGa -Buffalo game could not quit focusing on MB. They discussed all the things mentioned in this article, but they also thought his blocking was exceptional…..even when the play was to the total opposite side of the field he was still hitting folks. Great guy and I wish him the best. Go Dawgs!!!

Just my two cents worth

September 21st, 2012
1:11 pm

You just never know if a kid has peaked yet or will continue getting better. Some kids peak in high school and never get any better when they get to college. In cases like Bennett when he gets as good as he can be he will be a true five star in my mind. He is my favorite reciever right now for the dawgs.

Terry

September 21st, 2012
1:11 pm

Flat Tire, Bama has gave up 8 sacks, 6 against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, I’m not sold on their O-line pushing anyone around, those top ten teams they played were not as good as everyone thought, Michigan barely beat Air Force, and Arkansas lost to La.-Monroe and was without their QB in the Bama game, the jury is still out on how good Bama really is, but that’s just my opinion.

ATLcracker

September 21st, 2012
1:12 pm

Kris Durham Jr. By the way Kris is on the Detroit Lions practice squad rehabbing a torn labrum. He is reuniting with Mathew Stafford.

Neutral

September 21st, 2012
1:21 pm

Tom @12:57
I agree and I sincerely believe the comments from the pessimist will die down for 2 reasons:
- we will see a fired up Dawg team take on a good Vandy team and beat them handily.
- I know most of you will blast me for this, but I have a hunch that Missouri will kick SC around on SC’s home field…..and possibly win the game.

Missouri has done nothing to indicate they are not a “top 20″ team so I believe they are primed to deliver an upset. P.S. UGa and Missouri made a lot of mistakes when they played….probably due to all the pressure surrounding that game. If my hero Richard Samuel doesn’t make that huge play on the fake punt there could have been a big difference in the outcome. Go Dawgs!!!

Augustabred

September 21st, 2012
1:21 pm

I would say this about Bennett more than the other receivers; he is the most “complete”!!! Good Routes, decent speed, good hands, and BLOCKS downfield! I like the kid a lot!

Two to the shoe

September 21st, 2012
1:56 pm

Sometimes you have good quality receiver(s) and a so-so QB (SC with Alshon Jeffrey). Sometimes the opposite is true. GA is blessed to have a very good QB and a deep bench of quality receivers. Even still, I think we are too pass happy. Obviously Richt and Bobo are going to lean that way since both were college QB’s. But, I will give credit when it’s due. Our running game is getting better every week. I’m happy with the production so far but its time to go to the next level. Gurley and Marshall need to show what they can do versus SEC defenses. Allot of that has to do with the Oline, I get that. I’m looking for a “break out” game. I think it’s coming too. This GA team (like many others in the past) will get better and better everty week. We have guys like Bennett stepping up and starting to get back key personell from suspensions. I think by seasons end we’ll be able to play with anyone. Yes, that includes the Alabama and LSU. Let’s beat Vandy’s ass and keep the momentum going. Go Dawgs!

Neutral

September 21st, 2012
1:57 pm

I just love this team….they are very special!!! Go Dawgs!!!,

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life/J.Jpnes for Heisman))

September 21st, 2012
2:00 pm

@ Flat Tire:

YOU said “instead of recruiting guys like Ealey(4 star) and Crowell(5 star). I simply showed comparisons of those two to others that were highly ranked and turned out to be EXCELLENT guys and Excellent players and the fact that JJ and IC werte from the same HS but were nowhere near similar in their behavior and attitude..

Most teams in America went after Crowell and Ealey had quite a few after him. Apparently you are condemning CMR because those two turned out to be cancers. If that is true then ALL the other recruiters are idiots also but you are entitled to your HINDSIGHT JUDGEMENT!!!!!!!

I just wish you had forewarned CMR before those two were signed but since you failed to do so then you should be willing to accept a tiny bit of the blame but I love your “Brilliant” a$$ anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two to the shoe

September 21st, 2012
2:00 pm

Nuetral, I agree. Lattimore doesnt look like the same back he once was and cant carry the team like he has done in the past. Connor Shaw is a paper tiger. No real WR threats and a defense that lost too much to the NFL. That said, they did beat Vandy by running down their throats. I hope Richt and Bobo are paying attention.

BigGAdawg

September 21st, 2012
2:04 pm

Watching Bennett last year it was apparent that he was mister reliable, especially when it came to making the catch and holding on to it. When some of the others were thrown to, inside I would be saying please catch it, please catch it, please hang on, please hang on, etc. When Bennett is the target that little voice in my head says OH YEAH! and is usually right. I’ll take reliable and trustworthy over flashy and in your face ANY DAY!!! And so will the NFL. You cannot beat Michael’s work ethic. He is as hard working as anyone on the team.
DGD!!!
WOOF!!!

joe jenkins

September 21st, 2012
2:19 pm

My dawgs are talented….if we beat sc and fla we will have a special season….CMR please wear the red pants and black jerseys

Contractor

September 21st, 2012
2:30 pm

Terry,

You may want to get your eyes checked, because Alabama is the team to beat this year. Although Michigan barely beat Air Force and Arkansas lost to Louisiana Monroe, Alabama straight dominated both of those teams and did not leave any shred of evidence to whom is the best team in the country. You have to score to win a game, and with Alabama not giving up any cheap points and hardly any points at all, it doesn’t matter to score 50 points a game, because a field goal beats zero points. Nick Saban will have his team ready for any game they play this year, so I definitely think your opinion on Alabama is way far off base.

CaliDawg

September 21st, 2012
3:05 pm

My favorite player on the team, by far. That guy gives it everything he has every week. Some of his catches just leave me shaking my head trying to figure out how he pulled it off.

ZinoDawg

September 21st, 2012
3:06 pm

David Pollack was a 3 star. Nuff said.

GATA!

Paddy

September 21st, 2012
3:10 pm

RK…….FSU is loaded and playing great. As of right now they will be a BCS team. Clemson will have to work hard to stay within 2 td’s.

Worked for Florida many many years

September 21st, 2012
3:18 pm

Just speak the truth…. he wasn’t rated high because of skin color….A white WR? There are plenty that have better hands and can run circles and routes around many other WR’s and DB’s out there. Too much credence given to stupid 40 yard dash times in football. How many defenders are in front of a guy running a 40 yard dash on a track? None. Don’t get me wrong, speed is a great and much needed asset, but as coach Richt said “game speed” is better.
Way to go Michael. And his brains are just as much an asset.

ARdawg

September 21st, 2012
3:19 pm

Way too much emphasis is given the stars rating. Way to many kids over and under embellished

Throw to Bennett all day long

September 21st, 2012
3:31 pm

Look back at all the white, all-sec, WR’s Florida has had thoughout the years….they always seemed to have at least one, annoying, game changer from Chris Collinsworth to Chris Doering.

Joey

September 21st, 2012
3:36 pm

Riley Cooper.

Throw to Bennett all day long

September 21st, 2012
3:37 pm

Also, Look at all the white, all-american DB’s GA has had in their history. They can play that position too. Quit assuming only blacks can play DB or DL (see David Pollack).

tee

September 21st, 2012
3:44 pm

MB is doing an outstanding job…I hope that he, Brown, TK, and the others will continue to make plays. As long as we keep Marshall, Gurley, and Boo running effectively, we can’t be stopped. Don’t overlook Vandy…blast them early and get ready for UT next week.

GADAWG

September 21st, 2012
3:45 pm

Any relation to Billy Bennett?????

Pj

September 21st, 2012
4:02 pm

Bill belichek would love Bennett

WDE

September 21st, 2012
4:24 pm

He can catch and he loves to block there is no down side to this young man..DGD!!

RedandBlackDAWG

September 21st, 2012
4:26 pm

Dave

September 21st, 2012
8:45 am
Tenn. plays in our home this year Dave. After the next two weeks, we will own the state of Tenn, for this year.

AltamahaDawg

September 21st, 2012
4:28 pm

Bennett, seems to me to be that irritating WR that the other fans get sick of seeing catching the ball. Good comparison to others around the recent history of the game.

AltamahaDawg

September 21st, 2012
4:36 pm

“When the wheat is separated from the chafe,”

Daaaam!

Long-time Dawg

September 21st, 2012
4:46 pm

He represents himself and his University well.

CHDawg

September 21st, 2012
4:59 pm

First point: Something I have noticed watching Murray closely. A couple of years ago, he really just trusted Green. Over the last couple of years he has developed a bond of trust with most of these guys; he knows them well. Bennett dropped one (very atypically) in the Mizzou game, and the camera caught Murray saying, “Come on Mike!” He was genuinely shocked that Mike didn’t catch it because he is Mr. Reliable on the tough catches. I think that bodes very well for the year. Second point: I hope he keeps using his TEs and JSW. SW is downright dangerous looking when he puts it in gear. I want to see that young man get some more touches. Go Dawgs!

mercy

September 21st, 2012
5:49 pm

Possesion reciever is the term they use if you are white.

I-DOG

September 21st, 2012
5:55 pm

With the wide receiver position and the running backs being better than we thought they would be (after hearing that IC would no longer be a Dawg)… is this one of the best Georgia teams of the last 20 years on paper?

It certainly seems to be when you consider the combination strength of roster and weakness of schedule. The 08 team had a better offense, Stafford, Moreno, Mo Mass, and a rookie AJ Green and a pretty good OL. The problem with that team was the the defense was very weak and the schedule included both LSU and AL in the regular season as well as a road trip to ASU.

I’d take the current team to do something special given the problems on the 08 teams D and extremely tough schedule that team faced.

How ’bout the 05 Dawgs? They won the SEC, but lost 3 very close games that year to FL, Auburn, and WV in the Bowl game. Very talented team, but I’d probably take this year’s version as well.

How ’bout the 02 Dawgs. They won the SEC and lost just once getting edged out by Florida. I’d take that teams talent over this one, but that team also played 6 ranked teams in addition to unranked SC and Clemson.

My point is that this season is an unusually good opportunity for the Dawgs to do something special. 9-10 NFL prospects starting on defense, 3 good running backs, an experienced QB that can throw the ball AND has some athletic ability, a talented and VERY deep receiving core, and hopefully and improving offensive line.

There is a lot of pressure on the this staff to do something special with this opportunity, as there should be.

Mobile Dawg

September 21st, 2012
6:43 pm

When Richt recruited IC he was teetering on the edge of “temporary” unemployment and gave the kid the keys basically. If Richt continues to work hard recruiting should really be much easier. Offer the best atheletes with high character and the ones who really wan’t to be at UGA will come, be they 3, 4, or 5 star.

Cobb Dawg

September 21st, 2012
7:07 pm

I’m a huge Michael Bennet fan — always have been. But wasn’t he actually a last-minute add on NSD after Christian Green committed to FSU?

Terry

September 21st, 2012
7:15 pm

Contractor, they did that against teams that have no Offense, Arkansas 82nd, Western Kentucky 73rd, and Michigan 50th in Offense, even Bama is only ranked 64th in offense, and the best defense they played against was Western Kentucky 18th in defense, Michigan 59th, and Arkansas 95th, I’ll stand by my opinion.

SauteeDawg

September 21st, 2012
7:39 pm

I agree with Terry, Dawgs can hang with Bama, Bama straps on a helmet just like we do,
Can’t but 11 players play at one time. Theirs are no better than ours.
We’ve beat Bama before, we’ll beat them again.

Joe Jenkins Jr

September 21st, 2012
7:48 pm

I told daddy my teacher said anyone could achieve their goals if they tried hard enough. He told me I was stupid and I shouldn’t try because he has always been a huge failure and that everyone I knew was better, smarter and tougher than I am. He says he loves me but he is always telling me and mommy and my sister how worthless we are. I pray every night that daddy will stop drinking so many beers and passing out on the floor and pooping his pants every night.

I don’t understand why he tells his friends he likes that team with the cool Bulldog but all his football shirts have some kind of bumble bee on them. I guess I’m jus real stupid like daddy tells me I am every day.

Roll Tide Roll

September 21st, 2012
7:53 pm

“We’ve beat Bama before, we’ll beat them again.”

Which flavor Kool-Aid do you want? And why don’t you have a brownie with that.

MA English 75

September 21st, 2012
8:00 pm

It’s prima donna. And can we please stop talking about Crowell? He is not a Ga Dawg any more!

« Previous 1 2 3 4 Next » Show All