Rayshaun Benny

Rayshaun Benny
Benny (No. 26) with the Michigan Wolverines in 2024
Michigan Wolverines – No. 26
PositionDefensive tackle
ClassSenior
MajorGeneral Studies
Personal information
Born: (2002-05-08) May 8, 2002 (age 22)
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight296 lb (134 kg)
Career history
CollegeMichigan (2021–present)
Bowl games
High schoolOak Park (Oak Park, Michigan)
Career highlights and awards

Rayshaun Benny (born May 8, 2002) is an American football defensive tackle for the Michigan Wolverines. He has won three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles, and a national championship in 2023.

Early life and high school

Benny attended Oak Park High School located in Oak Park, Michigan. During Benny’s senior season, he notched 32 tackles and five and a half sacks.[1] Coming out of high school, Benny was rated as a four star recruit, the sixth best player in the state of Michigan, and the 195th overall player in the class of 2021.[2] Benny held offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State and Oklahoma.[3] Initially, Benny committed to play college football for the Michigan State Spartans.[4][5] However, Benny would de-commit from the Spartans and flip his commitment to play for the Michigan Wolverines.[6][7]

College career

From 2021 through 2023, Benny's first three collegiate seasons, he appeared in 30 games and totaled 43 tackles, six for a loss, a sack, two pass deflections and a forced fumble.[8] He won a national championship with Michigan in 2023 over the Washington Huskies, where Benny was an honorary captain for the Wolverines after suffering a broken ankle in the 2024 Rose Bowl.[9][10][11] In week one of the 2024 season, Benny notched five tackles, two for a loss, including a sack in a win over the Fresno State Bulldogs.[12]

References

  1. ^ Zuke, Ryan (3 February 2021). "Oak Park 4-star DT Rayshaun Benny decommits from MSU, signs with Michigan". MLive.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  2. ^ Solari, Chris (3 February 2021). "Michigan football nabs Oak Park DT Rayshaun Benny, an MSU commit, on signing day". The Free Press. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  3. ^ Mackie, Theo. "Michigan 2021 target Rayshaun Benny commits to Michigan State". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  4. ^ Sallee, Barrett (9 November 2020). "Michigan State football recruiting: Four-star DT Rayshaun Benny commits to the Spartans". CBS Sports. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  5. ^ Groicki, David (9 November 2020). "Four-star Oak Park lineman Rayshaun Benny commits to Michigan State". The Detroit News. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  6. ^ Moberg, McLain (3 February 2021). "Michigan State Commit Rayshaun Benny Flips to Michigan". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  7. ^ Chengelis, Angelique (3 February 2021). "Michigan flips Oak Park's Rayshaun Benny from Michigan State commit, adds Colorado flip". The Detroit News. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Rayshaun Benny". Sports Reference. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  9. ^ Leonard, Rekha (6 September 2024). "Rayshaun Benny's 'relentless' attitude driving injury comeback". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  10. ^ Sayfie, Clayton (4 September 2024). "Michigan DT Rayshaun Benny 'felt like a kid again' in monster season debut". On3.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  11. ^ McMann, Aaron (27 August 2024). "Michigan DT Mason Graham 'banged up,' Benny 'knocking off some rust'". MLive.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  12. ^ Knoop, Trent (4 September 2024). "Rayshaun Benny felt 'like a big kid' being back on the field playing for Michigan". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 6 October 2024.