Bennett emerged as a dominating drive blocker for the Tigers in 2006, as he paved the way for a rushing unit that ranked fifth in the nation with an average of 217.9 yards per game. He led the team with 97 knockdown blocks as a senior, as he became the first Clemson offensive lineman to make an Associated Press All-American team (third-team) since Jim Bundren was a third-team selection in 1997.

Bennett lettered three times in football at Paulding County High School. He earned All-Region honors as a senior and was an All-Paulding County pick in each of his final two seasons. Rivals.com labeled him a two-star prospect and rated him the 75th-best offensive guard in the country. He led his team to a 12-2 record and the state playoffs while serving as offensive team captain in 2001. He was voted Most Improved by the team in 2000.

Bennett enrolled at Clemson, choosing the Tigers over Alabama-Birmingham, Arkansas, East Carolina and Mississippi State. He redshirted and played on the scout team in 2002, but forced his way into the starting lineup in 2003. That year, he started seven games, including the team's first six at right guard, posting 45 knockdowns for the season.

The following season, Bennett started 10 of 11 contests at right guard. The offense struggled throughout the 2004 season, ranking 110th in the nation with an average of 295.6 yards per game in total offense. Bennett participated in 510 plays, coming up with 44 knockdowns as a sophomore.

In 2005, Bennett started eight of 12 games at his familiar right guard slot. He made 74 1/2 knockdowns with 13 intimidation blocks, helping the offense greatly improve from the previous season, as the Tigers averaged 384.6 yards per game.

Bennett was named the team's Most Improved during the 2006 weight-training program. He established an all-time team record for the Tigers in the power clean/push press with a 345-pound lift. His 500-pound bench press in February tied for seventh-best among Clemson linemen since 1984; equaling a mark that was first made by center Dustin Fry in that category. His 400-pound hang clean is third-best on the team, and among the top 10 in Clemson history for an offensive lineman.

Bennett's 1,775 total pounds lifted rank 10th-best on record among linemen and second-best among current Tigers. To further impress upon scouts attending Pro Day, he did 26 reps of 225 pounds, tied for the fourth-best bench press on the team. His 375-pound power clean was best on the squad.

On the field, he garnered first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and Associated Press third-team All-American honors in 2006. Bennett led the team with 97 knockdowns and 20 intimidations while allowing only one quarterback sack in 822 plays. He led the way as the team ranked 15th nationally in total offense (410.9 ypg) and 12th in scoring (32.7 ppg).

In 47 games at Clemson, Bennett started 38 times. He participated in 2,192 plays for the Tigers, registering 261 knockdown blocks.

Positives: Has a thick upper body with smooth muscle tone, big bubble, thick thighs and calves … Has outstanding strength in the weight room and a devastating hand punch to shock and jolt (needs to show better consistency and more active hands, though) … Comes off the snap with good explosion to generate some pop, but is a liability on long runs (balance issues cause him to cross his feet) … More effective on short pulls, as he uses his punch to widen the rush lane … Adequate at sealing the three-technique, but must improve his knee bend … Keeps his feet moving upon contact when stationary at the line, swiveling his hips to control and wall off the defender … More effective absorbing the bull rush when he keeps his feet flat-footed … Very aggressive blocker who has the nasty nature needed to combat the physical defenders … Delivers a punishing hand jolt, keeping proper placement to ride his man wide once he locks on to the opponent … Does a good job of waiting for the action to come to him, shocking the opponent with a sudden punch … His leg drive allows him to move the defender out of the gap and works hard to clear out the middle working with the center on the double team … Alert to stunts and blitzes … Displays excellent lock-out ability, but needs to do it with more consistency … Quick to gain leverage in pass protection, as he is effective at sliding and facing up to defenders shooting the gaps.

Negatives: Has good frame thickness, but needs to add more bulk and lacks toned muscles (smooth skin) … While he must increase his bulk, he also needs to trim his mid-section, as the added girth causes him to lose balance and lack a strong base on the move … Shows poor hand placement, failing to shoot his hands with much pop on contact (weight room figures fail to translate to the football field … Gets too tall in his stance and is constantly getting cut down at his feet … Leaves his feet too often and runs with his head down moving off the line, failing to locate second-level defenders (also shows marginal knee bend when taking on linebackers at that level) … Has a strong punch, when he lands, but short arms quite a bit and struggles to gain separation … Even with his strong legs, he struggles to anchor vs. the bull rush … Lacks the balance and lateral agility to get out on the edge to handle the speed rushers … Does not always finish his blocks (falls off them) … Good incline blocker, but works better in the short area rather than moving into space … Has good pass protection promise, but can be exposed by the inside charge when he fails to keep his arms active vs. counter moves … Has an aggressive nature, but will get out of control at times (suspended for the 2005 Temple game after getting into a fight the previous week vs. North Carolina State) … Also suspended for the 2005 Florida State game for missing classes … Tends to get a little too high in his stance when protecting vs. the pass, which results in defenders being able to walk him back.

Compares To: Tony Moll, Green Bay … While Bennett boasts great weight room strength, it fails to translate to the football field due to marginal hand placement and technique. He needs to add more bulk to prevent bull rushers from pushing him back into the pocket, but he is an effective pass protector when he sits back and lets the action come to him (will over-extend when he is late off the snap). He looks too top heavy on the move and tends to duck his head in the second level, losing sight of the linebackers. Since he has the ability to play both guard positions, he will get some action in a rotation earlier in his career, but needs to refine his mechanics if he hopes to wrest a starting position.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 5.38 in the 40-yard dash … 500-pound bench press … Bench presses 225 pounds 31 times … 530-pound squat … 400-pound hang clean … 345-pound push press … 375-pound power clean … 24-inch vertical jump … 7'7" broad jump … 34 1/4-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands … Right-handed … 18/26 Wonderlic score.

Attended Paulding County (Dallas, Ga.) High School, playing football for head coach Lynn Rowe … Lettered three times in football, earning All-Region honors as a senior and was an All-Paulding County pick in each of his final two seasons … Rivals.com labeled him a two-star prospect and rated him the 75th-best offensive guard in the country … Led his team to a 12-2 record and the state playoffs while serving as offensive team captain in 2001 … Was voted Most Improved by the team in 2000.

Sports Management major, with a minor in Business … Born Jan. 19, 1984 … Resides in Dallas, Georgia.