Oaks Christian Class of 2024 graduate Nate Bennett completed 45 of 60 passes for 567 yards and eight touchdowns in two September starts at Baylor University.
Bennett, who stands 6-foot-1, got the starting nod after Bears starter DJ Lagway suffered an ankle injury in Baylor's season-opening 17-16 loss to Auburn on Sept. 5. Bennett started against Prairie View A&M on Sept. 12 and Louisiana Tech on Sept. 19, according to Oaks Christian's website. Baylor won both games.
Against Prairie View A&M, Bennett went 24-of-36 for 314 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions, adding a rushing score. A week later against Louisiana Tech, he completed 21 of 24 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions and another rushing touchdown in a 36-19 Baylor win.
"There were times when I thought I wouldn't ever play at Baylor," Bennett said, according to Oaks Christian's website. "I got to a place in my heart where I was okay if that was the case. But I always prepared as if the chance was coming."
Baylor head coach Dave Aranda praised Bennett's arm after the Louisiana Tech game, saying the quarterback's touch on the deep ball is "a special thing" and that he has "a real quick throwing motion," according to ESPN's recap.
Bennett's path to a college starting role wound through Westlake Village. He transferred to Oaks Christian as a junior and competed for the starting job with fellow quarterback Devin Tate. A Tate injury opened the door, and Bennett held the starting spot for the rest of his time with the Lions, according to the school's website.
He threw for more than 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns at Oaks Christian, leading the Lions to two CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoff appearances.
Oaks Christian athletic trainer Wade Anderson said Bennett's preparation never wavered regardless of his role. "When he wasn't starting, it didn't change how he prepared," Anderson said, according to the school's website.
At Baylor, Bennett redshirted his first year and served as backup to Sawyer Robertson, who graduated after leading the Big 12 in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns. When Lagway transferred in from Florida with a significant NIL deal, Bennett accepted the backup role again, according to the school's profile.
Bennett credited Oaks Christian's football program with opening the recruiting door to Baylor. He is back in a backup role now that Lagway has returned from injury. Baylor stood at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play as of Oct. 12, with a game against TCU scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. Central on FS1.
