Hail WV
Fansided

Al-Rasheed Benton will emerge at LB

By Matthew Peaslee

Oct 11, 2014; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Cameron Batson (80) is tackled by West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Al-Rasheed Benton (17) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Cameron Batson (80) is tackled by West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Al-Rasheed Benton (17) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

There is an open competition at linebacker this season for the West Virginia football team. With the departure of three starting LBs, everybody has a shot at cracking the lineup.

Al-Rasheed Benton has impressed in spring practice, so far, and has a great chance at being the next Jared Barber, Nick Kwiatkoski or Shaq Petteway.

Related Story: Reviewing WVU Pro Day

Benton hasn’t ridden the bench in his first two years at WVU. He has played in a total of 26 games, appearing on special teams as a redshirt freshman, then backing up at the Mike linebacker position.

He did earn one start in 2015 and he thrived. Against Liberty, Benton started and made seven tackles, which included one for a loss. Benton was named the Mountaineers’ Defensive Player of the Game.

That chance to start against a lesser opponent showed that head coach Dana Holgorsen and his staff all have faith in Benton.

The New Jersey native was an all-state selection in high school and a Top 50 performer in the state. He certainly has the skill to make an impact and he’ll get his chance this season.

Petteway, Kwiatkoski and Barber blocked others at linebacker because of their leadership, tenacity and talent. The hole created by their departures is definitely the biggest blow to the 2016. But Benton has the best chance of filling the gap.

"I think Al is doing a really good job of being a leader over on the defensive side,” said WVU defensive coordinator Tony Gibson. “He’s a kid who’s very smart. He understand the whole scheme. What he has different than any of the other linebackers, is he started in games. He has experience of doing that. Love the way he’s been progressing. He’s getting better and understanding what we need. He’s helping a lot of the other guys out as well.”"

Some of the other players vying for a spot at linebacker include seniors Justin Arndt and Sean Walters, juniors Xavier Preston and Hodari Christian and redshirt freshmen Max Chefren, Shea Campbell and Troy Lilly.

More from Hail WV

What’s unique about this situation at linebacker is that four of the players are West Virginia natives. Chefren is from Parkersburg, Campbell is from Morgantown, Lilly is from Beckley and Arndt is from Martinsburg.

It’s highly unlikely all four guys that hail from the Mountain State will start at the same time, or even see the playing field together. However, it does show that Holgorsen and his staff are committed to the state of West Virginia and its prep athletes.

Outside of West Virginia, New Jersey is one of the top outlying states that sends teenagers to WVU. Benton has also made the eight-hour trip west for a chance at a high-quality education. Off the field, Benton is a media studies major.

On the field, he could be West Virginia’s next big thing on defense.

Home/WVU Football