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The Cardinal Countdown: 30 Days Until Kickoff

By CardinalStrong
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

#30 Richard Benjamin

Class: RS Sophomore

Ht/Wt: 6-0/211

Position: Cornerback

Hometown: Tampa, FL

Twitter: @BenjaminR_2

Thoughts: Full disclosure, this time last year I predicted that Benjamin would earn a starting spot by the end of the season. I was slightly off, as Benjamin only appeared in one game (Murray State). To my credit though, at this time we hadn’t started Fall Camp, James Sample was still not enrolled, we had Floyd coming back off an injury, an unproven Holliman at safety…it wasn’t exactly puppies and rainbows in the secondary one year ago. I’m glad I was proven wrong as Sample finally arrived and ultimately lead the team in tackles, Floyd played good overall, and Holliman picked off more passes than anyone since Lyndon B. Johnson was in office. Richard wasn’t sitting behind a bunch of scrubs, he was sitting behind four players (add Gaines) who are now on an NFL roster.

Moving forward, Benjamin without a doubt has the talent and skills to be a big time corner or safety at the college level. Benjamin played well for the WHITE team in the Spring Game grabbing seven tackles and sacking Bonnafon on the first drive of the game, but Quick did beat him up a bit on some long balls. The challenge for him will once again be battling for playing time in a very talented secondary. One would assume Shaq Wiggins has a corner spot locked up but the other is somewhat up for grabs. Tru Washington got some reps last year as did Cannon and freshman Jaire Alexander has been turning heads. At safety JHC and Chucky are front runners and Reve will play into the mix as well. I still think Benjamin turns out to be a great player for UofL but it’s actually encouraging that a near consensus 4 star player isn’t immediately on the field due to the talent depth at the position. Injuries or lack of production may have a final say in the decision but I like Benajmin at corner over safety. I think his speed is better utilized outside and I also think he has a better shot at getting on the field this season at that position. I’ll hold off on the “earn a starting spot” prognostication this year, but check back with me in 2016.

Sweet Tweet:

While not technically in Louisville, a short drive down I-65 will put you at world renowned Nolin Lake…and I know Darren and friends will have the hook up. #AllTheJigsYouCanHandle #RamseyAndRutherford

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