Earl Bennett
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Receiving Stats (WR / TE)
| Year | Team | Games | Rec | Targets | Rec Yds | TDs | YAC | 1st Downs | Fumbles | Fantasy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | CHI | 14 | 32 | 43 | 243 | 4 | 61 | 13 | 0 | 50 |
| 2012 | CHI | 12 | 29 | 49 | 375 | 2 | 187 | 20 | 0 | 50 |
| 2011 | CHI | 11 | 24 | 43 | 381 | 1 | 125 | 14 | 1 | 42 |
| 2010 | CHI | 14 | 46 | 70 | 561 | 3 | 205 | 27 | 0 | 75 |
| 2009 | CHI | 16 | 54 | 88 | 717 | 2 | 302 | 32 | 0 | 92 |
Career Summary
Earl Bennett was a Vanderbilt receiver who played six NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears.
Bennett starred at Vanderbilt before Chicago selected him in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played six seasons with the Bears.
He later returned to Vanderbilt in athletics administration and is listed as executive general manager.
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Early Life
Bennett is from Birmingham, Alabama.
The NFL lists Birmingham, Alabama as Bennett's hometown. Vanderbilt also identifies him as a Birmingham native.
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High School
Bennett was a multi-position standout at West End High School in Birmingham.
Bennett played wide receiver, running back and cornerback at West End. As a senior, he rushed for 829 yards and 12 touchdowns, caught 45 passes for 729 yards and intercepted 10 passes.
He earned first-team 5A all-state honors and Birmingham Player of the Year recognition.
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College Career
Bennett caught 236 passes for 2,852 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons at Vanderbilt.
Bennett was a three-time All-SEC receiver at Vanderbilt from 2005 through 2007. He finished with 236 receptions, 2,852 yards and 20 touchdowns.
He became the first SEC player with three consecutive 75-reception seasons and caught five touchdowns against Kentucky in 2005.
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Path to the NFL
Chicago selected Bennett in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
The Bears selected Bennett with the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
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NFL Career
Bennett recorded 185 receptions, 2,277 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 78 NFL games.
Bennett appeared in 78 regular-season games for Chicago and caught 185 passes for 2,277 yards and 12 touchdowns.
His 2009 season included 54 receptions for 717 yards and two touchdowns, with 717 yards ranking second on the Bears.
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Career Accomplishments
Bennett is a Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame member and an SEC Legend.
Vanderbilt inducted Bennett into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and named him an SEC Legend in 2015.
His Vanderbilt career included three All-SEC honors and the conference's career reception record at the time.
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Playing Style
Bennett was a high-volume receiver who also contributed in multiple roles during his football career.
Bennett's Vanderbilt career featured three straight seasons with at least 75 catches. His high school experience included offense and defense, and NFL statistics also record punt and kickoff returns.
His college single-game high was five touchdown catches against Kentucky.
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Legacy
Bennett remains one of Vanderbilt's most accomplished receivers.
Vanderbilt identifies Bennett as an SEC Legend and Hall of Fame member. His 236 career receptions set the SEC career record before it was later surpassed.
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Post-Career
Bennett returned to Vanderbilt in athletics administration.
Bennett returned to Vanderbilt in 2021 in player development and administration roles. Vanderbilt currently lists him as executive general manager.
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Sources for this section
21995, 00-0026210, 1987-03-23, Earl Bennett, Earl, Bennett
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