Texas Tech Football: 2018 LB Xavier Benson Commits
The Texas Tech football program has added another verbal commitment to the 2018 class in linebacker Xavier Benson.
Prior to Monday, Texas Tech had addressed every position group on the defensive side of the ball except linebacker in the 2018 recruiting class. However, the verbal commitment of three-star prospect Xavier Benson addressed the class’ most glaring void.
Benson, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound native of Texarkana, Texas hold scholarship offers from approximately twenty schools. The most notable of those schools (aside from Texas Tech) are SMU, Memphis, Southern Mississippi, Army, Tulsa and Wyoming.
"According to the “Lubbock Avalanche-Journal”, last season he “recorded 98 tackles, eight for loss, five sacks, recovered three fumbles and caused four fumbles. He also notched two interceptions and returned a fumble 99 yards for a touchdown.”"
Though he is a bit slender right now, Benson has the frame to easily add at least twenty pounds once he matures physically. Furthermore, he is a versatile athlete who also plays tight end.
His head coach, Josh Gibson told the “A-J” that Benson is an important part of his team’s offense.
"“He’ll be a mis-match for guys…He’s a great high-point football guy and a good high jumper in track. He could be an outside wide receiver if we want four-wide sets.”"
But Kingsbury and the Texas Tech football program need talented defenders and they could be getting one in Benson.
The most intriguing aspect of Benson’s highlight video is the versatility he displays. It shows him lining up at inside and outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver and tight end. In addition, he covers kickoffs and is on the field goal block team.
Every defensive coordinator covets versatility in his players, especially among linebackers. Big 12 spread offenses make versatility essential for any linebacker that hopes to be effective.
Texas Tech linebackers must be able to rush the passer, cover receivers in space and play the run. While Benson’s highlights do not show him going against the run too often, the clips of him making a one-handed interception or causing havoc in the backfield are exciting.
Benson could wind up being used in a multi-faceted role similar to that of former Texas Tech linebacker Terrance Bullitt. From 2010-2013, Bullitt played a hybrid linebacker/safety role on his way to racking up 135 career tackles.
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The Texas Tech football program now has 16 players committed to the 2018 class. 247sports.com ranks the Red Raiders’ current class seventh in the Big 12. This is the third player in the past week to commit to Texas Tech following Waco, Texas OL Hakeem White and The Woodlands, Texas receiver KeSean Carter.