Stock is climbing for GA receiver

One of the most undervalued prospects in the southeast is Alpharetta (Ga.) High School wide receiver Michael Bennett. He didn't get his first offer until early May but that offer soon became two and he may be on his way to picking up several more.

The 6-foot-3, 186-pounder has been terrific in camp settings, putting up strong performances at the NUC Combine in Atlanta as well as the NIKE Football Training Camp in Athens. As schools have stopped by his high school this spring, coaches are finally getting the opportunity to see what kind of athlete he is.

Currently, Bennett holds offers from Southern Miss and Air Force with heavy interest coming from Georgia, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Florida State, Wisconsin, Purdue and Indiana. While the spring has been and should continue to be busy for Bennett, the summer holds a full schedule as well.

"I'm going to quite a few summer camps," Bennett said. "I know I'm going to Georgia, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Michigan State and Florida State and I think I'll go to Southern Miss too now that they've offered."

Camps should be a good setting for Bennett who has performed well in every camp he has attended. When he visits schools this summer, he will be keeping a close eye on several factors, just as the coaches will be keeping an eye on him.

"I'm just looking for the place that's really going to fit me," he said. "I'm looking for the place that if I wasn't going to play football, I'd still go there. The coaching staff is a big thing for me. If I have a good connection with the coaches, that's a big thing. Early playing time is not a big factor. Whenever I can come in and help the team, I'm willing to help the team no matter what."

Though he is already a big, strong and physical wide receiver with legitimate speed in the 4.5 range, Bennett feels that he has a lot of development still left as a player.

"I don't think I'm at my full potential yet," he said. "I still have a long way to go. I'll keep working on stuff like route-running, getting stronger and faster but I feel good going into spring practice. I feel like I've performed well for the coaches when I've had the chance."