Chico Bennett was down to his three finalists – Georgia Tech, Virginia and Tennessee. With the help of his parents, he made a mental pros-and-cons list. Tech won, and he became the Yellow Jackets’ 10th prospect to commit to the 2019 recruiting class. The outside linebacker from Franklin, Tenn., announced his commitment Saturday.
“One is location,” Bennett said, recounting his reasons for choosing Tech. “Of course, academics. I just felt like everybody was great overall, the coaching staff and everything.”
Bennett, whose area recruiter for Tech is inside linebackers coach Andy McCollum, said he planned to make his decision in July.
“But as we started getting to the time, I just felt I should go ahead and pull the trigger,” he said. “That’s what I felt was best.”
Bennett has the look of a speedy outside linebacker who can bring pass-rush pressure off the edge in defensive coordinator Nate Woody’s 3-4 defense. On an unofficial visit to Tech in May, Woody shared with Bennett that that was his plan for him.
“He told me I would rush 65 percent and pass drop 35 percent,” Bennett said. “It’s perfect for me.”
Bennett, an all-state selection at Battle Ground Academy as a junior, is rated a three-star prospect (247Sports Composite), the No. 33 player in the state of Tennessee and the No. 83 outside linebacker prospect in the country. He also received scholarship offers from Missouri, Kentucky, TCU, Louisville and Wake Forest. He takes pride in his speed and his ability to use his hands to fend off offensive tackles.
“You can’t let a big guy get a hold of you, because then you’re done for,” said Bennett, listed at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. “I’m not trying to get close to those big boys. It’s something to keep in my head.”
At 6-4, Bennett is taller than any linebacker on the Tech roster.
Bennett is aware that college coaches will continue to recruit him to try to waver on his commitment.
“I’m a man of my word,” he said. “If I commit, then I commit.”
Bennett, who is contemplating a career as a psychologist, said he hopes to enroll early.
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