Meet the Prospect: SE Louisiana QB Bryan Bennett

Throughout the season, the “Meet the Prospect” series will highlight an underrated senior NFL prospect with a scouting report, interview and glimpse at what NFL scouts think of the player.

QB Bryan Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana (6-2 | 215 | 4.72 | #3)

The Scouting Report
Bennett arrived at Oregon as the assumed successor to Darron Thomas in Chip Kelly’s explosive offense. But a young quarterback by the name of Marcus Mariota changed all that, winning the starting job in 2012 and forcing Bennett to choose between changing positions or transferring out of Eugene. After 83 career pass attempts over his three seasons with the Ducks, Bennett decided to transfer to FCS-level Southeastern Louisiana last season.

Bennett collected numerous awards and accolades in 2013 for the Lions after leading the team in both rushing (1,046 rush yards) and passing (3,165 pass yards). He is a talented athlete with the foot quickness in the pocket to avoid rushers and the elusive scrambling ability to improvise in the blink of an eye with his legs. Although he relies on his athleticism too much at times when he prematurely leaves the pocket, Bennett does a nice job running the option and displays excellent vision, instincts and toughness as a ballcarrier.

As a passer, Bennett has solid mechanics and follow-through with a snap delivery to get the ball out in a flash. He displays quick eyes and a speedy process once he decides to pull the trigger, but he will predetermine some passes and has a bad habit of staring down his reads, leading defenders to the play with his eyes. Although he lacks elite arm strength and his release point is lower than ideal, he has shown improved touch and controls his ball speed well.

Despite thriving in a spread attack rarely under center, Bennett runs the offense like a field general and plays with controlled urgency to make plays happen. He is a gritty and confident competitor on and off the field, checking a lot of boxes for scouts in the intangibles department. Bennett currently ranks as the No. 11 senior quarterback prospect by NFLDraftScout.com and is considered a potential third day pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

What NFL Scouts are saying
“Did you see him last year? He made play after play after play. He doesn’t exactly run a pro-style offense down there, but his athleticism and feel in the pocket are impressive. I want to see improvement with his accuracy and decision-making as a senior, but I’m optimistic about his transition to our level.” – AFC East scout

The Interview
Q: You spent three seasons at Oregon as a former top high school recruit: one season as a redshirt, one behind Darron Thomas and then one behind Marcus Mariota. Obviously that had to be tough, but was there anything you were able to pick up from that experience? Was there a silver lining?
A: Absolutely. I’m a competitor and I want to be out there as much as I could. I let it affect my mood at times. Over time and looking back, I just experienced a situation where although I’m not getting my turn to play, I could manage the sidelines and learn. Quarterbacks are the leaders of the team and I learned how to be a leader and help our team be successful. I got to experience that and being around the offense and coaches, a lot of learning went on. I was able to grow as a quarterback and as a person.

Q: Why Southeastern Louisiana? What went into your decision to transfer there?
A:It was a crazy time for me, a lot was going on. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to change positions. I could have stayed at Oregon but not at the position I played my whole life. I came out here to Louisiana in 2011 to do the Manning Camp and I got a little taste of the culture and met a lot of people in the football world. That was my first initial experience and I liked it. I remember leaving and I sent out a tweet and I said I could picture myself living in the south. Talking to Archie (Manning), he recommended the Southeastern Louisiana coaches. I talked to them and they were the only school that hadn’t started yet so it worked with my timeline. The coaches showed great interest and made me feel welcome, as if they really wanted me.

I took another trip out there, and walked up to the stadium and thought it was high school again after my time at Oregon and those facilities so that was a little discouraging. But once I got past those material things, it was like home. I knew if I came here I could help turn around a program.

Q: Being a West Coast guy, is there a culture shock playing in Louisiana – a very different environment from Eugene?
A: There is, people are different. Their beliefs and how they live their lives. A little more country than the city life I grew up in, but I embraced it. They are so welcome. Southern comfort? I really felt it. I notice things and see things are different. I cut grass to make money on the side and I call it “weed-wacking” and they laughed here because they call it “weed-eating.” I think I have been adapting with their help and have become more well-rounded with different lifestyles.

Q: How was your experience at the Manning Passing Academy, playing alongside other talented quarterbacks?
A: That was awesome, I’ve been participating for four years now. It’s fun to just go out there and be with those guys, it really brings out the competitiveness in you. It was great to go see other competition from around the country that I don’t get to see every day. It was fun to get out there and see the level of competition, like what’s their arm strength looking like, how accurate, and all that. I feel a special thing playing quarterback so when you can get other quarterbacks around you, there’s a special comradery. It was a great experience and I’m very thankful.

Q: You were the Southland Conference Player of the Year in 2013, did you do anything last season that surprised yourself? Did you reach your goals that you set at the beginning of the season?
A: I think I had a good year. The main thing for us was we won the conference championship. In terms of personally, I was happy with my season but knew I could be a better player. I wanted to win that Walter Payton award (FCS Heisman Trophy), the player of the year and All-American and all that. The Louisiana Player of the year was a great honor, especially with LSU right around the corner and all the other great schools in this state. I didn’t get the Walter Payton Award, but I have this year to give it a run. I look back at the film and know I can be even better.

Q: What areas do you think you can be better this season and moving forward?
A: Sometimes I notice being a little quick to take off with the ball. I know I can work the pocket a little better. I’ve been too careless with the ball at times so I know I can take better care of it. I’ve grown and gotten better, but I think I can do better working my lower body mechanics. I think I got a little carried away taking hits and I need to get down quicker. I think I need to show that I’m more of a NFL-style of quarterback.

Q: What are your biggest strengths on the football field?
A: I think I have the ability to make every throw, and along with that, I can do everything you ask of me athletically. When I was at Oregon, they wanted me to play some defense, play on special teams, play at wide receiver – my athleticism has always been my best quality. Now that I have a season under my belt as the full-time starter, I think I have the opportunity to build myself into a fully well-rounded player. I can do anything you ask of me. I know some people say I’m just an athlete playing quarterback, but I always told myself, I don’t want that excuse. I want every aspect they’re looking for at the quarterback position.

Q: From a quarterback’s perspective, give me the top three most important skills for a passer?
A: I’d say pocket awareness – the ability to sit and move around while keeping your eyes up. Staying calm and not getting distressed in there. That’s No. 1. Next, I would say accuracy, having your lower body mechanics in tune with your upper body to consistently be accurate. And then third, just being a student of the game and team leader. Those go hand-in-hand and really that should probably be first on this list. Being a student of the game helps the quarterback understand what the defense is doing and to be on the same page with your receivers.

Q: You mentioned that you want to show you’re “more of a NFL-style quarterback.” Do you think your skill-set translates well to the pro game?
A: I think so. Especially now with guys like Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick thriving, guys that can hurt you with your feet. They can also make every throw. Wilson took his team to the Super Bowl and I saw him in control. He was smart, he was a leader. But he could also scramble and hurt you with his feet. I have the ability to do all those things. There have been more athletic quarterbacks recently, but you always have to be a passing quarterback first.

Q: Have you talked with Marcus Mariota or Chip Kelly since you transferred?
A: I talk to Marcus here and there. I check in on him and make sure he’s doing well. I just saw him at the Manning Camp in July. We’re still cool, still talk. Every once in awhile I get a text from Coach Kelly or I send him a text. Just little things here and there. I like to keep in contact with those guys at Oregon and in Philadelphia. I was a part of that for a while. They’ll always be brothers to me.

Q: Is there a NFL player you pattern your game after or do you compare yourself to anyone currently in the NFL?
A: I like to look at all those guys. Like Aaron Rodgers – he’s smart, very accurate. He almost surprises people with his legs, he can move around too. Peyton Manning, he’s more of a traditional pocket passer but I still like to look at him to see how he carries himself and see how serious he takes the business. He gets the guys ready. I try to take the positives from each of those guys and put them in my game.

Q: With the way you can scramble and improvise with your legs to then make plays with your arm, it’s very Manziel-like. Have you heard any Johnny Football comparisons?
A: I have heard it. He definitely has a great game. He’s a playmaker. There are a lot of things I really admire about his game.

Q: With the rushing production, do you consider yourself a dual-threat quarterback?
A: I need to be a quarterback first, but then also an athlete. Sometimes the “dual-threat” has people thinking he’s a runner who just plays quarterback. I want to be a quarterback first.

Q: Southeastern Louisiana hasn’t had an offensive player drafted since 1982 and have never had a quarterback drafted. What would it mean to change that?
A: That would be a great honor for me and the University. They’ve done a lot for me. They’ve given me an opportunity; a second chance. It’d be a great thing and I would love to represent them in that way. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to play pro sports.

Q: So the NFL is definitely one of the goals you’ve been working towards over your life?
A: For a long time, it’s been my goal. I want to play sports as long as I can and football was always one of my favorites. The comradery, the physical nature of the game. I’ve always admired every moving part. The NFL is what I’ve always wanted to do.

Q: You only have one FBS opponent on the schedule and that’s Tulane, this coming Saturday. Do you feel any more pressure in that game since it’s the only action this season that pro scouts will see you against the “top level” of competition?
A: I really think that every game has to be big for us. This is an FBS team so a great chance to show what we can do. But I can’t let that stress me out or make it bigger than it is. I just need to focus on my team and my game and worry about executing. Just be me.

Q: If I were to ask your position coach about you, how do you think he would describe you?
A: I think he would say I’m someone who really cares about his teammates. I work my tail off in the weight room. The hardest working guy. My teammates look at me and I try to set the bar high how we get things done.

Q: Fast forward five years from now, where do you see yourself?
A: Hopefully still playing football. I love this game and I really want play it as long as I can. Hopefully I’ll have a Super Bowl ring on my hand.