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Theo Benedet

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Theo Benedet
No. 62 – Chicago Bears
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (2001-10-12) October 12, 2001 (age 23)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:305 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school:Handsworth Secondary School
University:UBC (2019–2023)
CFL draft:2024 / round: 2 / pick: 15
Undrafted:2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Theo Benedet (born October 12, 2001) is a Canadian professional football offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played U Sports football for the UBC Thunderbirds.

Early life

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Benedet was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended Handsworth Secondary School.[1][2] He grew up a fan of the BC Lions but did not compete at football seriously until he was in 10th grade at Handsworth.[3] He committed to play U Sports football for the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds.[3]

University career

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Benedet immediately became a starter on the offensive line for UBC as a first year in 2019.[4] The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] He appeared in seven games during the 2021 season.[6] In 2022, he was named first-team All-Canadian and was the winner of the J. P. Metras Trophy for best lineman nationally, helping the team have one of the best U Sports rushing offences along with reaching their first Hardy Cup in four years.[7] He was the only U Sports player selected to the 2023 East–West Shrine Bowl.[8] Although projected to be a top pick in the 2023 CFL draft along with fellow UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, they both opted to return for a final season.[9] In 2023, Benedet repeated as a first-team All-Canadian selection and as the winner of the J. P. Metras Trophy, becoming the first offensive lineman to win the trophy twice in a row; he also helped the Thunderbirds reach the Vanier Cup for the first time since 2015.[10]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 7 in
(2.01 m)
295 lb
(134 kg)
32+18 in
(0.82 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
5.16 s 1.77 s 3.01 s 4.60 s 7.69 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)
9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)
23 reps
All values from Pro Day[11]

Benedet was invited to the College Gridiron Showcase.[10] In addition to being projected as a top pick for the 2024 CFL draft, he also received attention as a potential selection in the 2024 NFL draft.[12] He was not selected in the NFL draft, but later signed with the Chicago Bears as a undrafted free agent.[13][14] Benedet was later drafted in the second round (15th overall) by the BC Lions in the 2024 CFL draft.[15] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[16][17]

References

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  1. ^ Karchut, Elizabeth (February 1, 2019). "Commits believe UBC a 'premier program'". Canada Football Chat. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  2. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Theo Benedet, Offensive Lineman, British Columbia Thunderbirds". Sports Illustrated. January 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Gumboc, Annaliese (April 25, 2024). "The NFL has never drafted a player straight from UBC. Giovanni Manu and Theo Benedet could change that". The Ubyssey.
  4. ^ Ralph, Dan (January 31, 2024). "UBC's Benedet still feeling the anguish of Vanier Cup loss". The Vancouver Sun. The Canadian Press. p. N11 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ Ewen, Steve (January 28, 2023). "Top UBC offensive linemen run reverse play, opting out of CFL draft for another T-Bird season". The Province.
  6. ^ "Theo Benedet". UBC Thunderbirds.
  7. ^ Prest, Andy (January 29, 2023). "North Van football player earns trip to prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl". North Shore News.
  8. ^ Abbott, JC (January 27, 2024). "2024 CFL Draft profiles: UBC offensive lineman Theo Benedet aiming to be first NFL pick from U Sports since 2016". 3DownNation.com.
  9. ^ Abbott, JC (January 19, 2023). "UBC offensive lineman Theo Benedet selected to East-West Shrine Bowl". 3DownNation.com.
  10. ^ a b "UBC lineman Benedet top-ranked Canadian university player on CFL winter scouting list". The Sports Network. The Canadian Press. January 25, 2024.
  11. ^ "Theo Benedet College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Ewen, Steve (April 25, 2024). "UBC has never had a player picked in the NFL Draft — could they have two by the end of the weekend?". The Province.
  13. ^ Dunk, Justin (April 27, 2024). "University of British Columbia OL Theo Benedet signs NFL undrafted free agent contract with Chicago Bears: sources". 3DownNation.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  14. ^ Mayer, Larry (May 9, 2024). "Roster Moves: Bears agree to terms with nine undrafted rookie free agents". ChicagoBears.com.
  15. ^ Baker, Matt (April 30, 2024). "Lions Select Eight Prospects In 2024 CFL Draft". BC Lions.
  16. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 27, 2024). "Roster Moves: Bears reach 53-man roster limit". ChicagoBears.com.
  17. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 28, 2024). "Roster Moves: Bears sign players to practice squad". ChicagoBears.com.
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