Report: Rams Backup QB Stetson Bennett Did Not Graduate from University of Georgia Despite Storied College Career
In a surprising revelation that has caught many college football fans off guard, reports have surfaced indicating that Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback Stetson Bennett did not graduate with a degree from the University of Georgia, despite spending multiple years at the school and leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships.
Bennett, who became a college football legend for his unlikely rise from walk-on to national title-winning quarterback, initially joined the Georgia program in 2017. He later transferred to Jones County Junior College in Mississippi before returning to Athens in 2019. Over the following years, Bennett would defy the odds, climbing the depth chart and eventually cementing his place in Bulldogs history with his heroic performances during Georgia’s 2021 and 2022 national championship runs.
Given the length of his college career—spanning six seasons—many assumed Bennett had completed his academic requirements and earned a degree from UGA. However, recent reporting has confirmed that Bennett never received a diploma. This news has sparked a range of reactions, with some expressing disappointment and others noting that the former college star fulfilled his football responsibilities in historic fashion.
While details surrounding Bennett’s academic status remain limited, sources familiar with the situation suggest that his untraditional journey and heavy football commitments may have impacted his ability to finish his degree requirements. The intense demands of Georgia’s football program, particularly during the team’s back-to-back championship pursuits, likely contributed to his academic timeline being disrupted.
Bennett has yet to publicly address the reports or clarify his intentions regarding the completion of his studies. Still, this revelation doesn’t diminish the remarkable legacy he left on the field. From walk-on to starting quarterback, Bennett’s path was marked by persistence, determination, and clutch performances under pressure. He threw for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in his final season and was named Offensive MVP in both of Georgia’s national championship wins.
For the Rams, Bennett remains a developmental quarterback behind starter Matthew Stafford. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and showed flashes of potential during preseason action before stepping away from the team for undisclosed personal reasons during the 2023 regular season. He later returned to the team’s roster and is expected to compete for a backup role heading into the 2025 season.
In the broader college football conversation, Bennett’s situation has reignited debate about the student-athlete model and whether high-level college players, especially those with extended eligibility, are adequately supported in their academic goals. Some critics argue that universities benefit immensely from players’ athletic success while not always ensuring their academic completion.
Despite not earning a degree—at least not yet—Stetson Bennett’s legacy in Athens remains firmly intact. He’ll always be remembered as the quarterback who led Georgia to glory when few believed he could. Whether or not he chooses to return to finish his degree in the future, his story remains one of the most inspirational in recent college football memory.
