When the Buccaneers called for Caleb Benenoch in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft, many Buccaneer fans were wondering if Caleb could truly help improve the team's offensive line in terms of depth or perhaps one day become a starter. A debate has developed in some circles about Caleb potentially playing guard at the next level. For those unaware, Caleb played tackle predominately at UCLA, but as a junior was asked to play guard for a few games. One of said games was the Foster Farms Bowl in 2015 versus Nebraska. Below, you can find aYouTube link to the full game (link active as of 5/4/2016) in which Caleb starts at right guard.
Notable Caleb Benenoch Plays Vs. Nebraska At about 2:10, Caleb is flagged for a false start. The following play, at about 2:25 Caleb comes back with a strong pull to make a great block to spring his back for a 20+ yard run. You really get to see the athleticism of Caleb on this play, he keeps his eyes focused and makes contact with a linebacker at the off-tackle location. What I personally liked about this particular play is Caleb shows patience in locating his target. The left guard is displaced into the backfield impeding Benenoch, but he is still able to maneuver and located the linebacker at the second level. Moreover, Caleb is able to bounce back from the previous play where he was unfortunately flagged for a false start. While a false start is no positive, his ability to focus on the play at hand could prove invaluable at the next level. |
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At about 4:15 Caleb lines up against Maliek Collins who would become a Dallas Cowboys 3rd round pick in this draft. It’s important to see Caleb matching up against future NFL talent to be able to gauge whether or not he may be successful.
Following a failed challenge at about 11:20, UCLA scores first of the game. A goal line situation which features Benenoch blocking against Collins. While seemingly uneventful as the play went off-tackle, it really appears on this play that pad level may have been an issue for Caleb working against Collins. Benenoch does stay with Collins and drives him into the grass, but had the play been a dive/trap, Collins would have been in fair position to make a play.
At about 24:30 UCLA begins their second drive with Caleb pulling again to the left. He about wraps up tackles the defender, using his hands outside which could have easily drawn a flag. Again you can see him flash his athleticism from the pull. He does a great job of finding a hole on the pull and driving through it on his pulls.
Around 36:10, Caleb does a great job here on a pull really taking his man out of the play altogether.
Following a failed challenge at about 11:20, UCLA scores first of the game. A goal line situation which features Benenoch blocking against Collins. While seemingly uneventful as the play went off-tackle, it really appears on this play that pad level may have been an issue for Caleb working against Collins. Benenoch does stay with Collins and drives him into the grass, but had the play been a dive/trap, Collins would have been in fair position to make a play.
At about 24:30 UCLA begins their second drive with Caleb pulling again to the left. He about wraps up tackles the defender, using his hands outside which could have easily drawn a flag. Again you can see him flash his athleticism from the pull. He does a great job of finding a hole on the pull and driving through it on his pulls.
Around 36:10, Caleb does a great job here on a pull really taking his man out of the play altogether.
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37:45 has a fun play where UCLA scores on a big pass play. Benenoch is lined up against Collins and stands him up without much concern. When you see Benenoch play, he does well leveraging against larger lineman. I really didn't see Caleb get knocked down a whole lot in the few games I have watched of him.
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Combine Numbers
Caleb measures in at the combine at 6'5" and 305lbs. Caleb flashed athleticism at the 2016 NFL Combine when he ran a 4.98 40 yard dash, which was the third fastest among offensive lineman. If Caleb is to make a full-time transition to guard in the NFL, his athleticism to be able to move to the perimeter quickly can only help his cause. Notably, standout Buccaneer rookie from 2015, Ali Marpet ran a 4.98 40 yard dash last season for perspective.
Caleb did have a decent broad jump at 8'8" which placed him 15th among this years combine participants. It demonstrates to an extent the explosion he can get with lower body strength. If coach Warhop and the offensive assistants can help Benenoch improve his pad level, he could very well have a strong combination of physical traits to be successful.
What can be frustrating for Caleb Benenoch, is that brought into question is how he uses his physical strength to play. With a chance to quell concerns that he may lack upper body strength to match up against the NFL's world class athletes, Caleb chose not to participate in the Combine's 225lb Bench Press drill.
The Character
If Caleb is an angel, he's a very violent one. He was ejected from the USC game as a freshman when he socked one of the opponents in the face. A gif of that moment is located for you to see. Nigerian born, Caleb really never showed any major character concerns during his time at UCLA. Caleb has been raised by his mother predominately as his father, a man of faith founded a church back home in Nigeria and has stayed there respectively. Caleb describes himself as someone who feeds off of emotions throughout a game and believed that was why he lost his discipline on that particular play. He further described it as a learning opportunity. He believed in that moment he was selfish and let his team down. |
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Summary
It's only May, so obviously we have very little clue what we have in Caleb outside of the few games we are able to see where he faces off against college talent. Nevertheless, Caleb presents some very interesting traits such as his speed to get to the perimeter or his penchant for violently clubbing opposing defensive lineman (usually between whistles, one slip up after) that could lead him to success in the NFL. Still, concerns exist about Caleb's frame being maxed out or a lack of upper body strength to be able to match up against NFL defensive lineman. NFL teams carry fewer lineman on their active game day roster, so having the ability to play several positions is invaluable. UCLA loves to throw the football, they do it often and they don't care if you know they are going to do it. The Bruins were once (Caleb's freshman season) one of the worst in the league at surrendering quarterback sacks (ranked 113th) but would go on to improve that to 13th in his final season at UCLA.
Former Bruins' Quarterback Brett Hundley in 2012 (before Caleb) was sacked 52 times, the following seasons when Caleb arrived he was sacked 35 and 37 times before heading to the NFL respectively. Last season Caleb saw a new quarterback come in to which the Bruins only surrendered 15 sacks, giving them the 13th overall ranking in that category. Something happened at UCLA that caused their quarterbacks to get sacked far less than seasons prior. Was that something Caleb Benenoch? Do you think Caleb can play at a high level in the NFL along the interior line?
It's only May, so obviously we have very little clue what we have in Caleb outside of the few games we are able to see where he faces off against college talent. Nevertheless, Caleb presents some very interesting traits such as his speed to get to the perimeter or his penchant for violently clubbing opposing defensive lineman (usually between whistles, one slip up after) that could lead him to success in the NFL. Still, concerns exist about Caleb's frame being maxed out or a lack of upper body strength to be able to match up against NFL defensive lineman. NFL teams carry fewer lineman on their active game day roster, so having the ability to play several positions is invaluable. UCLA loves to throw the football, they do it often and they don't care if you know they are going to do it. The Bruins were once (Caleb's freshman season) one of the worst in the league at surrendering quarterback sacks (ranked 113th) but would go on to improve that to 13th in his final season at UCLA.
Former Bruins' Quarterback Brett Hundley in 2012 (before Caleb) was sacked 52 times, the following seasons when Caleb arrived he was sacked 35 and 37 times before heading to the NFL respectively. Last season Caleb saw a new quarterback come in to which the Bruins only surrendered 15 sacks, giving them the 13th overall ranking in that category. Something happened at UCLA that caused their quarterbacks to get sacked far less than seasons prior. Was that something Caleb Benenoch? Do you think Caleb can play at a high level in the NFL along the interior line?