Theo Benedet (born October 12, 2001) is a Canadian professional

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for the

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of the National Football League (NFL). He played U Sports football for the UBC Thunderbirds.

Early life

Benedet was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended Handsworth Secondary School. He grew up a fan of the BC Lions but did not compete at football seriously until he was in

10th grade Tenth grade or grade 10 (called Year Eleven in England and Wales, and sophomore year in the US) is the tenth year of school post-kindergarten or the tenth year after the first introductory year upon entering compulsory schooling. In many parts of ...

at Handsworth. He committed to play U Sports football for the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds.

University career

Benedet immediately became a starter on the offensive line for UBC as a first year in 2019. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He appeared in seven games during the 2021 season. In 2022, he was named first-team All-Canadian and was the winner of the

J. P. Metras Trophy The J. P. Metras Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding down lineman in U Sports football. The award was first initiated in 1974 and is named after John Pius Metras. Metras was a former coach of the Western Mustangs from 1939 to 1969 ...

for best lineman nationally, helping the team have one of the best U Sports rushing offences along with reaching their first

Hardy Cup The W. G. Hardy Trophy, more commonly referred to as the Hardy Cup, was the Canadian national Intermediate "A" ice hockey championship from 1967 until 1984, and the Canadian national senior championship for Senior "AA" from 1985 until 1990. Th ...

in four years. He was the only U Sports player selected to the

2023 East–West Shrine Bowl The 2023 East–West Shrine Bowl was the 98th edition of the all–star college football exhibition to benefit Shriners Hospital for Children. The game was played at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on February 2, 2023, starting at 5:30&nbs ...

. Although projected to be a top pick in the

2023 CFL draft The 2023 CFL National Draft was a selection of National players by Canadian Football League teams that took place on May 2, 2023, at 8:00 pm ET. 72 players were chosen from among eligible players from Canadian Universities across the country, ...

along with fellow UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, they both opted to return for a final season. 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.

Professional career

Benedet was invited to the College Gridiron Showcase. In addition to being projected as a top pick for the

2024 CFL draft The 2024 CFL National Draft is a selection of National players by Canadian Football League teams that is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2024. 74 players will be chosen from among eligible players from Canadian Universities across the coun ...

, he also received attention as a potential selection in the

2024 NFL draft The 2024 NFL Draft will be the 89th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players. The draft is scheduled to be held in Detroit, Michigan. Host city Detroit was chosen as the host city on March 28 ...

. He was not selected in the NFL draft, but later signed with the

as a undrafted free agent. Benedet was later drafted in the second round (15th overall) by the BC Lions in the

. He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.

References

External links

Chicago Bears bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benedet, Theo 2001 births Living people Canadian football offensive linemen Players of Canadian football from British Columbia Sportspeople from North Vancouver UBC Thunderbirds football players Chicago Bears players Players of American football from British Columbia American football offensive linemen