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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Brett Benes, P/K, University of Charleston (WV)

Brett Benes can do it all. NFL teams might fall in love with him because of his versatility
Brett Benes can do it all. NFL teams might fall in love with him because of his versatility

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Brett Benes

What is your Height/Weight?

6’1″ 185

What is your position?

Punter/Kicker

Where do you play college football?

University of Charleston (WV)

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done
off the field?

Back in high school I was a volunteer for the Wayne Barton Study Center in my hometown of Boca Raton, FL. I worked a basketball camp and loved  helping with the younger kids and being a good role model.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Accounting II

Where are you from?

Boca Raton, FL

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model would have to be Dwyane Wade. I grew up watching him as a member of the Miami Heat and always admired his professionalism, work ethic, and his amazingly competitive spirit.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played Soccer, Baseball, and Basketball. I did the cycle year-round from one to the other.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I actually was recruited to play QB at Charleston and didn’t punt/kick until my redshirt freshman year. I had always done all three but only pursued QB in college. My dad was a kicker for the 1987 Miami Hurricanes National Championship team and he always told me to keep that skill in my back pocket. It ended up working out.

At your position, what separates you from others?

I think my drive and attention to detail does. I’m persistent and I’m not satisfied with my game until all the little things are done perfectly.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

First off, I’m always watching my form and mechanics to see if there are any deficiencies in my execution of a punt like in my drop or my steps. I also watch the other teams alignment and tendencies on whether or not they bring a rush or hold back to set up a return. It let’s me know if I will need to be quicker with my get off time or not.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

In college it would have to be CJ Davis from Shepherd. He never got me on a punt but he’s taken one to the house vs. us on a kickoff and has always created problems for a lot of teams he has faced. I’ve had to make a couple tackles vs. him. He’s a great athlete.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it
be and why?

I’d say probably John Hekker of the Rams. Like me he played QB at one point and has the ability to not only punt but also pull off an array of fakes. At Charleston I’ve had the opportunity to do a few fakes where I’ve been able to throw the ball around too.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I pretty much just do the same thing as I did when our team last got a win. If I was wearing white socks to the stadium I’ll do it again. If I drank orange juice that morning I will do it again and so on. I’m kind of superstitious.

brettAs a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have
to overcome?

I think the biggest thing is trying not to compare your program to a big FBS school in terms of the gear and facilities. It’s easy to get caught up in that and I’ve seen people lose focus at the task at hand which is getting yourself ready to play at the highest level possible to help your team achieve greatness.

What is your biggest strength?

I think my biggest strength is me being a perfectionist. I take a lot of pride in my craft and want to help our team win the field position battle every opportunity I get.

What is your biggest weakness?

I’d have to say sometimes kicking too much pregame where I have to slow it down and dial it back. Doesn’t happen too much but if it ever does I just got to realize I have a whole game to play.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

You won’t find another specialist who works harder than me and gives it all for his team.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

Favorite player growing up was probably Ken Dorsey and my favorite NFL team was the Miami Dolphins.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Peyton Manning, Dwyane Wade, Michael Jordan

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

Probably a boat. 

Rapid Answers:

  • Who will win the Super Bowl? Patriots
  • Whose better Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?
  • Better Running Back Adrian Peterson or Barry Sanders?
  • Better safety Eric Weddle or Ed Reed?
  • Better linebacker Ray Lewis or Luke Keuchly?

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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