Recruiting Report: Miguel Benjamin (2017)

<p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">During his three-year varsity career at Rochester Century, <strong>Miguel Benjamin </strong>played quarterback, receiver and running back, but settled into the role as the Panthers featured ball carrier as a senior.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Benjamin finished with more than 1,000 yards and a 5.6 yards per carry average, earning All-Big Southeast honors. He was slotted at No. 121 in NFN’s final <u><strong><a href="http://www.northstarfootballnews.com/2017-rankings"><span style="color:#B22222">Class of 2017 prospect rankings</span></a></strong></u>. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“</span></span><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I bring a lot of versatility and can be used anywhere on offense if need be,” said Benjamin via email. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Century played its best football down the stretch of the 2016 season, winning two of its final five contests and losing the other three by a combined 24 points. Benjamin was a big reason for that, rushing for six of nine total touchdowns during that stretch. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">One of those victories was an opening-round playoff win over Rochester Mayo, which was the Panthers’ first postseason win since 2010.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“</span></span><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I had a lot of fun playing with my team because every single guy had the same vision of winning,” Benjamin said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The 175-pounder has received Division II and III recruiting attention. He said he’s been in contact with NSIC programs Winona State and Southwest Minnesota State and Wisconsin-Stout from the WIAC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“They [all] see me as a either an athlete or a running back,” Benjamin said. “I don&#39;t have a favorite and am looking at all my options and trying to figure out which one fits best.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">His only scholarship offer is from the Mustangs.  He said he has a vision for what he wants in a college football program. There needs to be a combination of motivated people, winning attitudes and strong relationships.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“</span></span><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I look for how the team chemistry is,” Benjamin said via email. “And what types of players they are and see if I want to be apart of that, and if it&#39;s something I could see myself in.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Benjamin, who also runs track, said he’s considering psychology or criminology as possible college majors. Away from football, he said he likes spending time with friends and family, or getting away to hike and fish.</span></span></p>