Theo Benedet
{{Short description|Canadian gridiron football player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Theo Benedet
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team = Chicago Bears
| number = 79
| position = Offensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|10|12}}
| birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lb = 305
| high_school = Handsworth Secondary School
| cis = UBC (2019–2023)
| undraftedyear = 2024
| cfldraftyear = 2024
| cfldraftround = 2
| cfldraftpick = 15
| pastteams =
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)*
| status = Active
| highlights =
- 2× J. P. Metras Trophy (2022, 2023)
- First-team All-Canadian (2023)
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 =
| statvalue1 =
| statlabel2 =
| statvalue2 =
| pfr = BeneTh00
}}
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
Benedet was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended Handsworth Secondary School.{{cite news |last1=Karchut |first1=Elizabeth |title=Commits believe UBC a 'premier program' |url=https://www.canadafootballchat.com/commits-believe-ubc-a-premier-program/ |access-date=April 27, 2024 |work=Canada Football Chat |date=February 1, 2019}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/theo-benedet|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=NFL Draft Profile: Theo Benedet, Offensive Lineman, British Columbia Thunderbirds|date=January 28, 2023}} He grew up a fan of the BC Lions but did not compete at football seriously until he was in 10th grade at Handsworth.{{Cite news|url=https://ubyssey.ca/sports/nfl-draft-2024-changemakers/|newspaper=The Ubyssey|title=The NFL has never drafted a player straight from UBC. Giovanni Manu and Theo Benedet could change that |date=April 25, 2024|author=Gumboc, Annaliese}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vancouver-sun/146119459/|newspaper=The Vancouver Sun|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 31, 2024|page=N11|title=UBC's Benedet still feeling the anguish of Vanier Cup loss|agency=The Canadian Press|author=Ralph, Dan}} {{Open access}} The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news|url=https://theprovince.com/sports/university/top-ubc-offensive-linemen-run-reverse-play-opting-out-of-cfl-draft-for-another-t-bird-season|newspaper=The Province|title=Top UBC offensive linemen run reverse play, opting out of CFL draft for another T-Bird season|date=January 28, 2023|author=Ewen, Steve}} He appeared in seven games during the 2021 season.{{Cite web|url=https://gothunderbirds.ca/sports/football/roster/theo-benedet/10689|publisher=UBC Thunderbirds|title=Theo Benedet}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nsnews.com/local-sports/north-van-football-player-earns-trip-to-prestigious-east-west-shrine-bowl-6448701|newspaper=North Shore News|title=North Van football player earns trip to prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl|date=January 29, 2023|author=Prest, Andy}} He was the only U Sports player selected to the 2023 East–West Shrine Bowl.{{Cite web|url=https://3downnation.com/2024/01/27/2024-cfl-draft-profiles-ubc-offensive-lineman-theo-benedet-aiming-to-be-first-nfl-pick-from-u-sports-since-2016/|website=3DownNation.com|title=2024 CFL Draft profiles: UBC offensive lineman Theo Benedet aiming to be first NFL pick from U Sports since 2016|date=January 27, 2024|author=Abbott, JC}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://3downnation.com/2023/01/19/ubc-offensive-lineman-theo-benedet-selected-to-east-west-shrine-bowl/|website=3DownNation.com|title=UBC offensive lineman Theo Benedet selected to East-West Shrine Bowl|date=January 19, 2023|author=Abbott, JC}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/ubc-lineman-theo-benedet-top-ranked-canadian-university-player-on-cfl-winter-scouting-list-1.2067637|publisher=The Sports Network|agency=The Canadian Press|title=UBC lineman Benedet top-ranked Canadian university player on CFL winter scouting list|date=January 25, 2024}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 7
| weight = 295
| dash = 5.16
| ten split = 1.77
| twenty split = 3.01
| shuttle = 4.60
| cone drill = 7.69
| vertical = 34.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 6
| bench = 23
| arm span = 32 1/8
| hand span = 9 3/4
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1092260&DraftYear=2024 |title=Theo Benedet College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=September 6, 2024}}
}}
Benedet was invited to the College Gridiron Showcase. 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.{{Cite news|url=https://theprovince.com/sports/football/nfl/ubc-has-never-had-a-player-picked-in-the-nfl-draft-could-they-have-two-by-the-end-of-the-weekend|newspaper=The Province|title=UBC has never had a player picked in the NFL Draft — could they have two by the end of the weekend?|date=April 25, 2024|author=Ewen, Steve}} He was not selected in the NFL draft, but later signed with the Chicago Bears as a undrafted free agent.{{cite web |last1=Dunk |first1=Justin |title=University of British Columbia OL Theo Benedet signs NFL undrafted free agent contract with Chicago Bears: sources |url=https://3downnation.com/2024/04/27/university-of-british-columbia-ol-theo-benedet-signs-nfl-undrafted-free-agent-contract-with-chicago-bears-sources/ |access-date=April 28, 2024 |website=3DownNation.com |date=April 27, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears agree to terms with nine undrafted rookie free agents|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-agree-to-terms-nine-undrafted-rookie-free-agents-2024|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=May 9, 2024}} Benedet was later drafted in the second round (15th overall) by the BC Lions in the 2024 CFL draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bclions.com/2024/04/30/lions-select-eight-prospects-in-2024-cfl-draft/|publisher=BC Lions|title=Lions Select Eight Prospects In 2024 CFL Draft|date=April 30, 2024|author=Baker, Matt}} He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears reach 53-man roster limit|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-reach-53-man-roster-limit-2024|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 27, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears sign players to practice squad|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-players-to-practice-squad-2024|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 28, 2024}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears sign nine players to reserve/future contracts|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-nine-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-2025|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=January 6, 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.chicagobears.com/team/players-roster/theo-benedet/ Chicago Bears bio]
{{Chicago Bears roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benedet, Theo}}
Category:Canadian football offensive linemen
Category:Players of Canadian football from British Columbia
Category:Sportspeople from North Vancouver
Category:UBC Thunderbirds football players
Category:Chicago Bears players