Junior college LB Xavier Benson picks up 4 offers this weekend
Tyler Junior College linebacker Xavier Benson had a big Sunday, posting on Twitter that he has received offers from Indiana, Kansas, Memphis and Sam Houston State.
Benson is one of the best linebackers in the junior college ranks. These are his first offers since entering Tyler Junior College.
Benson was a consensus three-star recruit out of Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove in the 2018 recruiting cycle. He committed to Texas Tech and played two seasons for the Red Raiders. He opted out of the 2020 season and then entered the transfer portal.
Xavier Benson was a starter at Texas Tech
Xavier Benson redshirted the 2018 season for Texas Tech.
He broke out as a redshirt freshman the next season, starting 10 games and notching 57 total tackles on the season. That was good for fourth on the team. He also served as a team captain three times during the season for the Red Raiders.
Benson, however, was struggling with his mental health. He elected to opt out of the 2020 COVID season, writing on Twitter that he made the decision in order to improve his mental health.
“This isn’t a decision I take lightly, but it’s one I know will help me in all walks of life moving forward,” Benson said. “I want to more productive for my friends, my teammates and most importantly, my family — not just now but in the future.”
He entered the transfer portal in December 2020 and went to Tyler.
Inside Texas’ Justin Wells made a trip to Tyler, Texas, earlier this season and talked with Benson about his football journey and time at Tyler.
“I’m really enjoying my time here,” Xavier Benson told Wells. “I’ve found that love of the sport. I’m a good place. D1 is glitz and glamour. JUCO is straight ball. And I love ball.”
Benson has a team-high 74 tackles and two interceptions through seven games this fall.