Kirby Smart is laying down a challenge for Stetson Bennett to become the leader Georgia needs

The Georgia Bulldogs could have gained a nationwide championship final season, however they’re nonetheless searching for extra consistency from the primary man who led them there. Kirby Sensible has laid down the gauntlet for returning QB Stetson Bennett to turn into a greater chief for his crew, each on the sphere and within the classroom, in order that they will make one other run in 2022.

If there’s one factor that Kirby Sensible is not going to chew his tongue about, it’s management within the locker room. He is aware of when he talks about management with the media, these conversations then trickle into the exercise room and the place conferences. He is aware of that management that stays on the sphere isn’t actually management in any respect, and he’ll name out the veterans on this crew publicly to ensure they do their job. He at all times expects higher of his crew each single day.

Nothing ever comes simple for individuals who play for Kirby Sensible, not even the quarterback. His expectations for that spot are excessive, and he calls out anybody who doesn’t meet them.

This offseason, in an effort to put together for an additional championship run, Sensible first had to determine which guys would return for an additional 12 months. And Bennett was first on his checklist. Sensible had a couple of conversations with Bennett relating to the 2022 season and warranted his quarterback that the whole Bulldog teaching workers would fortunately belief him with the offense as soon as once more.

“(Bennett and I) had a few conversations in passing. He reached out a pair occasions simply to see if he needed to come back again, needed to proceed to get higher. There wasn’t quite a bit there, wasn’t loads of questions or something… We confirmed loads of confidence in Stetson — if you happen to didn’t discover — and he answered that with the way in which he performed,” Sensible informed the media on Wednesday.

However Sensible isn’t simply speaking about Bennett’s efficiency on the sphere. Kirby needs extra total management.

“He’d be the primary to inform you he can develop and get higher. We have now excessive expectations for Stetson, however we even have excessive expectations of what we anticipate Stetson to do when it comes to main our offense, when it comes to going to class and doing the appropriate issues. We’re nonetheless difficult him to do these issues.”

Georgia head coach Kirby Sensible celebrates with Stetson Bennett after the School Soccer Playoff championship soccer recreation in opposition to Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia gained 33-18.
(AP Picture/Darron Cummings)

Bennett has led Georgia to a 15-3 file over the previous two seasons, however he nonetheless has a number of areas of his recreation that want enchancment, particularly his decision-making. Throughout his discussions with the media on Wednesday, Sensible used the phrase “boneheaded” a number of occasions to explain a few of Bennett’s earlier in-game selections and throws. He’s not going after Bennett publicly. He’s simply setting the inspiration for what he expects from his beginning quarterback this spring.

“Make selections, proper? We had been late over the center a few occasions with balls in the direction of the tip of the season. He’d be the primary to inform you that he didn’t play good. He made some actually good performs for us together with his ft, his legs, his decision-making. However you simply need to take out among the bonehead throws and bonehead errors that he has made sometimes.”

However nonetheless, the Georgia head coach remembers the place Stetson was this time final 12 months, buried on the depth chart and barely getting any important reps throughout apply. So Sensible understands that his quarterback is now in a a lot totally different spot than he was a 12 months in the past.

“Hey, it’s simple for him to say he hadn’t had the chance to right these errors as a result of the man was taking 3s this time final 12 months. He was taking reps because the three, sparingly, and wasn’t getting loads of reps. He received loads of work quick, and we really feel like he’s exhibiting progress. He’s finished some very nice issues this spring, however that ought to be anticipated for a man together with his expertise degree.”

With expertise comes accountability, and this 12 months, Sensible and the remainder of the teaching workers anticipate Bennett to imagine extra management tasks — within the locker room, in place conferences, and most significantly on the sphere — beginning with spring apply.

Georgia head coach Kirby Sensible celebrates after the School Soccer Playoff championship soccer recreation in opposition to Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia gained 33-18.
(AP Picture/Darron Cummings)

“When it comes to management, We’re nonetheless engaged on that. We’re not the place we must be when it comes to management and guys difficult guys.”

In order we watch this Georgia soccer crew attempt to put the items collectively for an additional run on the trophy, Kirby Sensible is watching to see who steps as much as lead this new crew into the fray. Whereas all eyes are on Athens and Tuscaloosa, Kirby Sensible is simply ready for his sixth-year quarterback to take the reins and be the chief this crew wants for an additional chapter of success.