NEW YORK — At a time when Heisman Trophy winners are usually on their way to being first-round picks in the NFL draft, Stetson Bennett is a contender from another era of college football.
The Georgia quarterback already has a national championship ring, and this season he has stepped up his own play in an offense that has entrusted him with more responsibility.
At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Bennett is no lock to be drafted at all, even though he is a bona fide star for the Bulldogs, who are 13-0 and seeded No. 1 for the upcoming College Football Playoff as they seek to repeat as champions.
“I think I’m as good a quarterback as anybody, but I don’t think about as, like, I’m the best quarterback. Because there’s so many different variables and different offenses and things that you’re asked to do, who you have around you,” said Bennett, who was sporting an old-school look Friday in a red-and-black letterman’s jacket while meeting with reporters and posing for pictures at a Manhattan hotel with three other Heisman finalist quarterbacks.
University of Southern California sophomore Caleb Williams (6-1, 215), who has led a significant turnaround for the Trojans (11-2) in his first season with them, is the favorite to win the award. The presentation ceremony for college football’s most prestigious individual honor will be televised by ESPN at 8 p.m. Saturday.