2011 UGA Football: Michael Bennett Poised for Breakout Season?

With AJ Green and Kris Durham headed to the NFL, the Bulldog receiving core is left searching for another game breaker at receiver.

This year, UGA will feature Marlon Brown, Tavarres King, Rantavious Wooten, Justin Scott-Wesley, Malcolm Mitchell and Michael Bennett. Frankly, it’s a very inexperienced group of formerly coveted recruits.

However, there is one guy that has the potential to have a breakout season–Michael Bennett.

Standing at 6’3” and 202 pounds, Bennett is a physically big wide receiver. Along with his great size, he runs around a 4.5 forty-yard dash.

He definitely has the necessary physical skills to play college football, but what separates Bennett are his unteachable abilities. He is an extremely bright and instinctive player.

In high school he had the intelligence and will power to play a variety of positions: slot receiver, outside receiver, running back, corner back, safety, punter, kick returner and even a little quarterback.

He is one of those receivers, similar to Kris Durham, that a coach does not have to worry about messing up.

Along with his intelligence, he has extraordinary leadership ability. Bennett was a team captain at Alpharetta High School his junior and senior year.

He also was awarded Offensive MVP both years, as well as a myriad of other recognitions. Despite being the most successful athlete in his school’s history, he remained humble and praised God for his accolades, again exhibiting his exceptional character.

As you read you’re probably thinking, "There are probably 100 receivers in the country and a few on UGA that are more talented than Michael Bennett, so what makes him so special?"

He is a spectacular route runner. That is the principle reason that he is on Georgia’s football team right now.

He wowed coaches at camps, as he dominated some of the best corners in the country with his deceptive route running.

He will continue to shine with his route running in practice and by the season opener in the Georgia Dome, Bennett will have great chemistry with quarterback Aaron Murray.

The combination will be special.

Former UGA receiver AJ Green, while discussing Michael Bennett said, “He’s going to be good.” That’s high praise considering it is coming from the best receiver in the country. UGA’s second receiver last year, Kris Durham, had similar comments, “The guy’s going to be something special…He makes plays every day in practice.”

Even though he will be a redshirt freshman next year, it is clear that he has earned the respect of his teammates through practices.

All that’s left  for him is to show the Bulldog Nation that he is the real deal.