North Vancouver's Theo
Benedet gets ready to take the field for the University of British
Columbia Thunderbirds in a game against the University of Manitoba
Bisons at Thunderbird Stadium Oct. 15, 2022. Benedet will play in the
East-West Shrine Bowl Feb. 2 in Las Vegas. | Bob Frid / UBC Athletics
By Andy Prest, North Shore News.
Note: Theo Benedet is a Handsworth Secondary alumnus.
North Vancouver’s Theo Benedet will get a rare opportunity to showcase
his football skills as the sole Canadian university player invited to
participate in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl all-star event
scheduled for Feb. 2 in Las Vegas.
The towering offensive lineman is coming off an outstanding season
with the UBC Thunderbirds that saw him earn the J.P. Metra Trophy as the
top lineman in the country. Clocking in at six-foot-seven and 305
pounds, Benedet is a Handsworth Secondary grad who has played three
seasons with the T-Birds. Nearly all of the other players in the
East-West Shrine Bowl come from NCAA Div. 1 teams.
“It’s huge, I’m really happy to get the chance to represent UBC and
our program,” said Benedet in a release. “I’ve always been really proud
to be a Canadian athlete and play at a Canadian school. I have a little
chip on my shoulder to go down there and show we can play too.”
Benedet also earned U Sports 2022 First Team All-Canadian honours for
UBC as the T-Birds had one of the top rushing offences in the country
last season, on their way to their first Hardy Cup final in four
seasons.
“It’s crazy how fast it’s all come, basically a year ago nobody knew
who I was,” said Benedet. “It’s an opportunity to get some eyeballs on
myself and get my name out there. Obviously I believe in my abilities, I
just want the chance to show people I can play.”
It’s a well-deserved honour and opportunity, said UBC head coach Blake Nill.
“This is a platform that will bring more awareness to his skill set
and his potential as an elite football player,” Nill said. “He’s earned
this and will certainly take full advantage of it. He’s got a God-given
gift in his genetics and his athleticism, but he certainly puts in the
necessary effort.”
Benedet would have been a strong candidate for first-round selection
in the 2023 CFL draft, but instead opted to defer his CFL draft eligible
status to 2024. He could, however, still choose to pursue NFL
opportunities next season if he is picked in that league’s 2023 draft or
signed as a free agent.
“I can play in the Shrine Bowl and still go back to school so it’s a
no-lose situation,” he said. “If I do really well and the NFL
opportunity is there I can take it, or if the feedback is I need more
development I can also head back to UBC and do that.”
The East-West Shrine Bowl will be broadcast live on the NFL Network.