Former UGA OL Brent Benedict transferring to Virginia Tech
Brent Benedict, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman from Jacksonville who abruptly left UGA last month, plans to transfer to Virginia Tech.
That’s according to a report by the Florida Times-Union. Benedict has not returned phone calls and messages from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since he quit the team for “personal reasons” on June 26.
Benedict told Times-Union’s Hays Carlyon he chose the Hokies over Florida, Clemson and Marshall.
“I liked Virginia Tech the first time around,” he said. “It’s a great program with a coaching staff that’s been there awhile. They win games and do well in the ACC. I’m really excited to get up there.”
Benedict (6-5, 312), a former four-star prospect and Under Armour All-American, is being hailed in Virginia as the fifth commitment of the Hokies’ 2012 recruiting class. Even though he was released from his scholarship by the Bulldogs, Benedict will have to sit out one year per NCAA transfer rules. He will be a third-year sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining when he’s activated for the 2012 season in Blacksburg.
Benedict was recruited to Georgia as a left tackle before he was sidelined with a devastating knee injury in October of his senior year. The injury, which included nerve damage, required a complete reconstruction and extensive rehabilitiation. The Bulldogs, who had accepted Benedict’s commitment the previous summer, never wavered on their scholarship offer.
Benedict was medically cleared by UGA in March, though was held out of some drills during spring practice. He was listed as the No. 2 right guard on the preseason depth chart.
Benedict has never disclosed his reasons for leaving but indications are he had disagreements with the Bulldogs’ strength and conditioning staff over training methods during off-season conditioning. He was released from his scholarship at UGA following a meeting with head coach Mark Richt on June 26.
The Times-Union asked Benedict if he chose Virginia Tech over Florida and Clemson because the Bulldogs will play those teams in coming seasons.
“Maybe that was in the back of my mind a little bit,” he said. “It could still happen with a bowl game. My main focus was choosing the place where I felt I fit the best. Virginia Tech was the best fit for me.”
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85 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
July 12th, 2011
10:28 am
I got news for you. His staying here required more charity on our part, than any favor he was doing us.
South GA Dawg
July 12th, 2011
10:42 am
Sounds like UGA has their S&C program on the right track. These babies are starting to cry. UGA needs 100% if you dont want to put out then get out. This has been needed for a long time.
DawginLex
July 12th, 2011
10:50 am
I wish registration would be required on these blogs.
studawg
July 12th, 2011
10:55 am
Sounds like this guy was just a big WUSSY who couldnt hack the new strength and conditioning regimen. Adios softy! We need toughness. I actually hope we weed out a few more softies from the team.
HokieinATL
July 12th, 2011
11:45 am
VT’s S&C program for lineman is actually geared towards protecting lineman’s knees. We had a while where we kept having guys blowout their knees, so Beamer made the S&C guys start adjusting things. They also have the linemen wear braces whether they’ve ever had a problem or not.
As for whether this kid is a quitter/traitor/etc….I have no idea, can’t speak to his motivations. I will say if I were a headcoach I would only want guys on the team that want to be on the team. A guy that decides he wants out, I wouldn’t want to risk creating a malcontent and the problems that could create in the locker room w/ the team.
He’ll find that the S&C program at VT though to be quite challenging to keep up with. That is if he wants any playing time. If he ends up wussing out, he’ll be riding the pine behind perhaps less talented guys, but guys that are willing to work harder and “want it” more.
The “look like Tarzan, play like Jane” types typically don’t see the field much under Beamer.
azdawg
July 12th, 2011
11:51 am
Its a loss to the dawgs and VT’s gain. Much like Mettlenberger’s release and LSU’s gain. I think Joe T might be overdoing it trying to prove something or himself. Takes time for that type of knee injury to heal. He’ll play for VT and do well.
Tech freshman
July 12th, 2011
12:29 pm
Why was mine removed cutie?!?!
james
July 12th, 2011
12:35 pm
This kid knew he was a bust. UGA was more than gracious, patient and chartiable to someone who had not done as much as lift a finger to prove his worth.
He belongs in the worst BCS conference in football. He is finally home.
boogey
July 12th, 2011
1:04 pm
Hey Brent, don’t let the door hit you on the way out!!
Mobile Dawg
July 12th, 2011
1:07 pm
IMO, CMR’s approaching this season with a first year coaches mentality. The attrition rate will be high anytime “big” changes are made. Sounds like the S&C program is weeding players out, along with the change in attitude. My hope is that the “spots” on the Head Dawg can change. People often make short term adjustments only to settle back into their old routines once the fires wane. Best thing CMR can do is “surround” himself with good people, exibiting strength in areas where he is weak. Face it, we all have weaknesses.
DCHokie
July 12th, 2011
3:18 pm
Not sure why U[sic]Ga fans are saying that Benedict will be a fit at VT because “he couldn’t cut the U[sic]Ga S&C program”. Last time I checked, VT has one of the top S&C coaches and programs in the nation. ESPN did a whole thing on S&C programs last summer to kill the boredom, and VT was very highly rated. Can’t say the same about U[sic]Ga.
The ACC is a joke
July 12th, 2011
3:25 pm
DC cHokie – Using [sic] is a lame arse thing that Georgia Trekkies do. I guess the ACC is chocked full of douchenozzles.
Location location locaion
July 12th, 2011
4:05 pm
Talk about picking bad locations to live.
From the Cess-Pool to Bleaks-burg. Hard to say which is worse.
Wonder if he’ll end up in Morgantown WV before its over?
hahahahahaha!!!!
July 12th, 2011
4:08 pm
Well if ESPN runs a piece on something out of sheer boredom and says so then it must be true!!! ::wink:: ::wink::
LOL!! What a dingleberry!!!
todd
July 12th, 2011
4:10 pm
It could gave been worse. He could have picked the ghetto on West Ave. where he could have gotten mugged on campus daily.
The ACC is a joke
July 12th, 2011
4:22 pm
DCHokie is definitely a [tool] gobbler.
wow
July 12th, 2011
4:30 pm
Nerd fans hiding behind other schools on even a story like this as well? Truly sad.
KeepCalmAndCarryOn
July 12th, 2011
4:30 pm
Going from a redneck to a hillbilly. Nothing to see here.
Zig
July 12th, 2011
4:42 pm
All your players are belong to us
UGA = OSU
July 12th, 2011
5:01 pm
Wow, some of you Bulldog fans sound just like the Buckeye fans I have to work with each day.
mgdawg
July 12th, 2011
8:12 pm
I’m really suprised another big d1 team is taking a chance on the kid. I understand he was a hot recruit out of high school but that was how many years ago? And he is so uncomfortable still that he quit football at one d1 school, there is no way I would’ve taken a chance on the kid after he quit at uga. D1 sports medicine teams are extremely conservative because they know if they make a mistake and a kid comes back too soon that it could cost the kid millions of dollars. So for him to think that a S&C regimend is too much after 2 years, tells me the kid won’t ever be the same. For Benedict sake, I hope I’m wrong.
Mobile Dawg
July 12th, 2011
9:03 pm
Chip, looked like your request to use a little class earlier wasn’t heeded very well.
bitter "OLE" School Dogs-fan
July 12th, 2011
9:08 pm
starting to make since why tech’s coach CPJ —–only deals in 3* players —————–4@5 star are
—————————–pain in the as— spoiled brats———-hahahahahahah——bamma sux
Still@theBAR
July 12th, 2011
9:13 pm
VaTech is a beautiful campus.
ugab
July 12th, 2011
9:16 pm
TIDE ROLL HIT IT ON THE MONEY. THANK YOU. MR IS A GOOD MAN. NO DOUBT. MR’s COACHING IS THE QUESTION.
ugab
July 12th, 2011
9:17 pm
Sounds like Uga rehabed this kids leg for him and he hauled butt
Still@theBAR
July 12th, 2011
9:19 pm
bulldawgbill
Kiss my BULLDAWG A$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
Does is taste like Krylon? I bet you get it painted for gameday just like RUSS the temporary mascot.
Still@theBAR
July 12th, 2011
9:22 pm
ugab
Uga is DEAD!!! Big bad Bruce aka Uga VIII couldn’t stand the embarrassment of the season(much like Uga VII) and just spiked his own water with Antifreeze.
joe taxpayer
July 12th, 2011
9:55 pm
Tide Roll great comments. I thought the same thing.
Pitbull
July 12th, 2011
10:51 pm
I sure would like to have a shot a getting Vince Jr. Coaching UGA being Richt wants to go into missionary work.
Pitbull
July 12th, 2011
10:57 pm
When Richt kicked that field goal 4th and 1 early in the game during the bowl loss he told his team. I don’t believe in you, we are kicking. When he first came to Ga. He was wild eyed and a River boat gambler. As one ages their testosterone goes down. They quit taking chances. They become more passive and meek like women. Get the point! PS The only thing that will help him is to go on Hormone Replacement Therapy. They will crank him and get the fire back in him. He can easily afford it!
Q&A: Brent Benedict confirms dispute with Georgia’s new strength coach | UGA sports blog
July 13th, 2011
2:07 am
[...] Benedict transferring to Virginia Tech [...]
Professional Athletes David
July 15th, 2011
2:37 am
What’s the reason maybe for his transfer to Virgina Tech? Personal reason? Are there any leads or does someone dig more about his issue? But, I admire his courage, he really transferred and take risk without knowing what would be his position or what would happen to his career in this new team. Good luck to him!
mb dawg
July 15th, 2011
3:33 pm
kid should have stayed. richt needs to stay – its bobo that gotta gogo!!!!!!!!!!!
jackson
July 16th, 2011
9:38 am
Good luck Brent! The Bulldog nation wishes you only the best! Keep some perspective people…