Tag: Kahlil Benson

Kahlil Benson pushing teammates on defense with words and physical play

Kahlil Benson is having fun competing and jawing with his teammates

The Colorado Buffaloes added an experienced offensive tackle this offseason in Indiana Hoosiers transfer Kahlil Benson. Along with an impressive resume, Benson brings a level of grit to the Buffs’ O-line that fans haven’t seen in some time.

Benson played 24 games during his four seasons with the Hoosiers, starting 17 the past two seasons. Because of his work in pass protection, he was undoubtedly a target for a Buffs team that needed to shore up that department. In 424 pass attempts in 2023, Benson only gave up one sack. But Benson has also brought a passion that has drawn the eyes of his defensive teammates.

Almost every CU defensive player has named Benson as someone who likes to talk smack during practice, so I asked Benson about that during CU’s fall sports media day last week:

“Those are my guys, man,” Benson said. “Not gonna lie to you, we love to have fun. At the end of the day, it’s competition. We have to remember that at the end of the day, we’re still a team. Yeah, I like to talk a lot. I’m definitely gonna bring the fire to them. I want to see how far they’re gonna go. I want to see how they’re gonna work after that, after I said something to them. I want to see if they’re gonna hit me hard and then let me go after two seconds or (if) they’re gonna stay engaged the whole time. I’m definitely gonna stay engaged, and if you let go, I’m gonna pancake you.”

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Jordan Seaton and Kahlil Benson didn’t plan this iconic photo, ‘It just happened’

Remember this iconic photo?

Jordan Seaton and Kahil Benson joined the Colorado Buffaloes earlier this offseason, and the two massive offensive tackles wasted no time in “protecting” their quarterback, even at a CU women’s basketball game.

Shortly after both players signed their letter of intent to play for the Buffs, they took in a basketball game with QB Shedeur Sanders at the CU Events Center on Jan. 19. Cameras caught the trio checking out the game and created a viral photo that was almost too good to be true. The two tackles lined up like they would on the field, with the left tackle Seaton on Sanders’ left side and the right tackle Benson to his right.

I asked Seaton at CU’s fall sports media day last week if their positioning around Sanders was intentional:

“It just happened like that,” Seaton said. “Some things are just meant to be. I never noticed that until you talked about it, but that’s cool. That’s sick.”

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Kahlil Benson stepping up as leader for CU Buffs

Kahlil Benson appears to be emerging as a leader for Colorado

Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Shilo Sanders are typically the first three players that come to mind when I think of Colorado football’s leaders. However, there appears to be a new voice that’s quickly gaining respect within the Buffs’ locker room.

As documented in a recent Well Off Media YouTube video, incoming transfer offensive lineman Kahlil Benson addressed his new teammates during a workout.

“Don’t be scared to hold your teammates accountable,” Benson said in the video. “Even the guys in the different groups, challenge them to be better because we all got to have the same mindset and everything going into the season. End of the season, y’all wanna be better than 4-8? We got to work together. Keep y’all minds strong, stay positive and challenge your teammates even when they know they’re in the wrong.”

Benson’s mindset is exactly what the Buffs need, especially on the offensive line. With Colorado preparing for its second season under head coach Deion Sanders, the expectations are higher, but the Buffs will only go as far as their O-line allows.

Soon after signing with the Buffs in December, Benson spoke with USA TODAY Sports about his expectations for Colorado. “This team is going to be magnificent. Just watch. We comin’,” the 6-foot-6, 305-pound tackle said.

Last season at Indiana, Benson started in all 12 games for the Hoosiers at right tackle and allowed only one sack in 424 passing attempts.

Check out the clip below of Benson addressing his new teammates:

 

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Incoming transfer OL Kahlil Benson on Colorado: ‘This team is going to be magnificent’

New offensive lineman Kahlil Benson believes the Buffs can achieve big things in 2024

The first day of the early signing period brought many talented players to the Colorado Buffaloes, including former Indiana offensive tackle Kahlil Benson. If Benson’s confidence in his new team is any indication, 2024 will be a special season in Boulder.

Improving the trenches has been head coach Deion Sanders’ main focus this offseason, and 10 of the 21 players signed on Wednesday were linemen.

Benson, a 6-foot-6, 325-pound tackle, started in all 12 games for the Hoosiers this past season and now sees big things coming for the 2024 Buffaloes. After Benson signed with Colorado, he spoke with Brent Schrotenboer of USA TODAY Sports about his expectations.

“I definitely think we have a big, big, big shot at taking it all the way and winning this thing out, because the guys we got coming in — I’m not gonna lie — these are some dawgs,” former Indiana offensive tackle Kahlil Benson told USA TODAY Sports Wednesday after signing with Colorado. “This team is going to be magnificent. Just watch. We comin’.”

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Transfer offensive linemen Justin Mayers, Kahlil Benson commit to CU Buffs

Welcome to Boulder, Kahlil Benson and Justin Mayers

For anyone who watched Colorado this past season, it was evident that the Buffs needed help on the offensive line. Fortunately, they’ve wasted little time this offseason in adding reinforcements along the line.

After getting commitments from transfer offensive linemen Tyler Johnson and Yakiri Walker early on Saturday, Colorado secured pledges from another pair of transfer OLs later that evening.

Former UTEP guard Justin Mayers was first. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound road grader was considered one of the top linemen available in the transfer portal and should be a favorite to start at one of the guard spots next season. In 2022, Mayers was an All-Conference USA honorable mention selection as well.

Fans were over the moon about getting Mayers after landing Johson and Walker, but the excellent news wasn’t done for the day.

Soon after Mayers announced his pledge, former Indiana offensive tackle Kahlil Benson decided to pull the trigger on his commitment, giving new O-line coach Phil Loadholt four new transfers to supplement his group.

Listed at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, Benson excels in pass protection and was a 12-game starter for the Hoosiers this past season.

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