West Virginia Football Recruiting: JUCO Safety/Linebacker Commits To The Mountaineers

The West Virginia Mountaineers may have had a week off, but the coaching staff was hot on the recruiting trail and it looks like it’s already paid off. Charlie Benton, a safety from Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, announced his plans to enroll at West Virginia University this coming January.

Through five games for the Grizzlies, Benton has recorded 43 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Measurables

Height: 6’ 4’’

Weight: 215 lbs.

Power 5 Offers - Iowa State and West Virginia

Big 3 Ratings:

• 247Sports - Currently unranked
• Rivals - 3 of stars (5.5 rating)
• ESPN - N/R

Junior year highlights:

The Smoking Musket Analysis

In Two Words - if you have to remember just two things about this player...

• Versatile
• Quick

Absurd Comparisons

This one is tough, because there’s limited film on Benton to use to draw a good comparison. Based on size and what we can see with what’s available, I have him pegged as a Terence Garvin-type player.

Scheme Fit

Benton seems like the ideal SPUR safety in Tony Gibson’s 3-3-5 defense. He’s currently listed as a safety according to the major recruiting sites but, according to EerSports, expects to play an outside linebacker position at the FBS level.

Impact on Other Prospects?

Look for West Virginia to grab at least another safety and another linebacker in this class.