Shane Beamer is very familiar with how QB Stetson Bennett is viewed within the Georgia program, and especially in the mind of coach Kirby Smart. The long-time backup QB at Georgia is a fan favorite, and well-liked with the coaching staff.

Because of an oblique injury to JT Daniels, it is unclear who Georgia will start Saturday night against South Carolina. But Beamer knows, from his time as an assistant at Georgia, that Bennett is certainly capable.

“The word ‘baller’ gets thrown around too much, but it’s perfect to describe Stetson. He is a baller,” Beamer said on the SEC coaches media teleconference on Wednesday. “… I can remember we’d be in those staff meetings and it seems like multiple times a week, Kirby would comment on Stetson Bennett. … It’s obvious how highly Kirby thinks of him, and he should. … He started Saturday over some pretty good quarterbacks in that program. … The fact that he turned to Stetson tells you everything you need to know about how Kirby feels about him.”

Bennett last week against UAB in a 56-7 victory, was 10-for-12 passing for 288 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also had a rush for 20 yards.