Diamond In The Rough: LC Benjamin IV

In this edition of Diamond In The Rough, I will be highlighting 4-star running back LC Benjamin IV from Catholic High School. In the classroom, LC maintains a 3.7 GPA and scored a 22 on the ACT. In the weight room, he has maxes of 280lbs on the bench, 275lb power clean, and a max squat of 375lbs. At 5’11 and 200lbs, LC has the ideal size for a college running back. He is a steady and consistent running back that can pace an offense with consecutive quality runs. He gets in an out of his cuts smoothly and displays good vision when running the football. He’s also shown the ability to catch the ball out the backfield and make plays in space. As a person, LC comes off as a very mellow and humble person. He speaks well and has a level of maturity that you don’t see much of from guys his age. To learn more about LC, you can take a look at our conversation below.

 

 

How did you first get introduced to football?

  • My Dad played college ball at Louisiana Tech. So when I saw him play football, I wanted to play too. I first started playing football in third grade and I’ve been a running back from that day forward.

Why do you still play football?

  • It’s what I love to do. I can’t see myself not playing football. It just what I love to do. And then I obviously I want to use it to go to college. I also like the vibe I get from the football team at Catholic, it just a family feel you know? I like playing with all the guys there.

What has football taught you?

  •  Football has put me through many things. Through those experiences I’ve learned about perseverance. It also taught me a lot about mental and physical toughness. It taught me how to fight through the bumps and bruises that come with football. You must be mentally tough to push through them. On the football field, you have to be able to think and physically play the game at the same time. When I say think I mean you have to understand your assignment on each play. You need to think about what to do and the technique associated with it so you can do your job.

Who or what has influenced the most in your life?

  • My Dad has influenced me the most. He is a great man to me. He’s done a lot for himself and his family. He always put us first and I want to be like him. My Dad goes to work each day and work for us. He works so we can have what we have and I admire him for that.

What is your mindset before the ball is snapped?

  • My mindset is speed and power. I want to do everything full speed, but also do everything with the right technique and do it well.

Describe yourself in three words?

  • Humble, Hard-working, and Curious. When I say curious, I’m referring to how I like to pick other people’s brains. I like to ask about why things happen. Not just in football, but about everything in life.

Once you get to college what do you plan to major in?

  • Pre-Med. I want to be an orthopedic surgeon. My Dad’s a doctor so that’s where my interest in the medical field comes from.

What are you most looking forward to in college?

  • Just the environment I’ll be in and meeting new people.

What’s your best football memory?

  • Probably just playing football in middle school. Pretty much just going to the games with my friends before football got too serious and having fun with them. I still think high school football is fun, but there also a business-like side to it. I love the game as whole, but the middle school days were fun.

Who’s your favorite NFL player?

  • Adrian Peterson. Just because of his combination of speed, power, and agility. I see a lot of myself in him as a player.

What sets you apart as a person?

  • Like I said I’m a very curious individual, so I want to learn from a lot of different people. I want to see why things happen and how they happen. Also I think I’m a caring person. I care for other more than somebody should at times.  I like to put others in front of myself.

Say you have game coming up in a week, how do you prepare for it?

  • I would stretch throughout the week to be as flexible as I can be. I would also listen to music; you know that special playlist to get me going. I feel like I play best when I’m hyped up and energetic. The top go to song on the playlist is Trophies by Drake. I also watch film to make sure I know my assignment and stuff like that.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

  • To win a state championship with the team. We came up short last year so I want to make it back and try to win it all.