It’s one of the reasons why Benson came to West Point. The Baton Rogue, La. native wanted to be tested academically, athletically and mentally.
“When I first visited and I seen it was a close-knit family like no other and pushing each other, I just knew I had to be a part of it,” said the freshman slotback. “I like to do hard things. I like to challenge myself. It seemed like the right place.”
Benson thrived in his role on the football field his plebe season. He was named Army’s scout-team offensive player of the year at the team’s banquet earlier this week.
“It was encouraging,” Benson said. “A lot of hard work went into that. It’s unselfishness by my teammates and myself to really give a look. It’s all about building a team as a whole. It doesn’t matter how close you are to the objective. It matters about the finish of the objective.”
Benson is getting an opportunity to move up the depth chart this spring. Tyrell Robinson and Noah Short are the likely Army’s top slotbacks. Miles Stewart is the only other slotback with any significant game experience. Benson turned in a highlight play, making a catch from Zach Mundell during Saturday’s practice.
“I’ve been leaning on my coaches and teammates to build on myself from last year,” Benson said. “It’s about growing as a unit. From scout to possibly playing, we’re just trying to get better as a unit.”
Practice takes: Cornerback Jayden Mayes picked off two passes – one off a tipped ball from linebacker Andon Thomas and another on one of the first passes in 1-on-1s…Junior A.J. Williams has moved back to B-Back (fullback) after playing tight end last season…Blake Powers is back coaching fullbacks, a position that he coached in 2022. Tristan Yeomans, Army’s offensive quality control coach, is stepping in to lead the slotbacks this spring…Army’s first-team offensive line looked like LT Boobie Law, LG Bill Katsigiannis, C Brady Small, RG Lucas Scott and RT David Hoyt. Katsigiannis also took snaps at center.
