http://www.northwestgeorgia.com/sports/local_story_121225136.html?keyword=secondarystoryColumn: Pro opportunity excites Bennett
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Prior to what was supposed to be his senior football season at Auburn University, Bennett was given a respectful nod from Southeastern Conference coaches, picked by them for the 2006 preseason all-conference squad. But a broken ankle suffered early in that season derailed any plans for a big finish, and the 6-foot-4-inch, 265-pound tight end aimed at getting back in time to play out the end of the regular season, a goal that later became simply making it back for the Tigers’ bowl game.
He had decided not to seek a medical redshirt and come back for another year, but couldn’t meet either of his targets for returning to the playing field and eventually changed his mind about the redshirt.
As it turns out, part of that decision had to do with an honest self-assessment about his talent and how it might be parlayed into a career at the next level. Watching film of professional tight ends, Bennett believed he compared favorably and had a chance in the right system.
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Borges resigned after the regular season, Tony Franklin was brought in and the Tigers began working on installing the new O.C.’s spread offense. With limited time, a hybrid approach was taken to preparing for the Peach Bowl as pieces of both offenses were practiced.
That was a challenge. For Bennett, who at the time told Daily Citizen sports editor Larry Fleming that he would have loved to been part of a spread attack when his Auburn career started, it was also an opportunity.
He caught a pair of passes, Auburn beat Clemson 23-20 in overtime, and his college career ended happily.
On Sunday night, not long after he received a phone call letting him know the Texans wanted him, Bennett talked about the impact that game and the new-look offense had on the trajectory of his football future.
“(I was told Texans scouts and coaches) were real impressed with how I adapted to the offense we ran during the bowl game against Clemson,” said Bennett, who was at his parents’ home in Dalton during draft weekend. “They do a lot of splitting the tight end out and things like that.”
He put together a solid season in 2007, playing in every game, catching a career-best 11 passes and continuing to serve as a dependable blocker in the Tigers’ offensive scheme.
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On Sunday night, the often-reserved Bennett’s task was getting the good news out. He put his fingers to work text-messaging friends, but admitted he wasn’t sure who knew and didn’t at that point.
Now his test is getting ready for minicamp. Bennett will continue his workout routine at D1 Sports Training in Chattanooga as he prepares, then see where his NFL dream takes him next.
For Bennett, this is the new challenge. He’s been doing this long enough to know it’s also the new opportunity.
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