Benenoch’s Written Promise
May 4th, 2016
The Bucs’ fifth-round pick, rookie offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch
Joe is getting more and more intrigued by the offensive tackle/guard the Bucs snagged in the fifth-round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Caleb Benenoch out of UCLA is very serious about his craft, as was his recruiting class of 2013, so it’s explained in this LA Daily News feature. Playing for Jim Mora, Jr., at UCLA was about going pro in a hurry, and nine Bruins were drafted this year.
Benenoch is the first UCLA offensive tackle drafted this century. He started 35 consecutive games in college. This is not some green dude coming from a small school.
But Benenoch also was a standout student, on the honor roll at one point and, per the L.A. Daily News, “is 10 classes from completing his political science degree and has an academic plan to fulfill a written promise to his mother that he would finish school.”
Yes, Benenoch is a bit of a developmental project, and the Bucs will have to figure out if his skills and 6-5, 305-pound frame is best suited at guard or tackle. But Joe predicts it will be hard for Tampa Bay to keep him off the 53-man roster, even with all their current depth on the O-line.
Offensive line coach George Warhop has proven he can develop young linemen, and keep in mind Jason Licht explained Warhop very much handpicked Benenoch.
May 4th, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Absolutely love stories like this.
May 4th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
Strong and smart seems like the perfect combo. Kid could end up being a steal. I hope so.
May 4th, 2016 at 12:23 pm
How many times can I say I really like this pick before it starts echoing in my ears.
May 4th, 2016 at 12:25 pm
I like him. Lot of experience, and great body for the position, but why did it take so long for him to be drafted ?
May 4th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Buccfan37
I noticed in a previous post you mentioned that you worked in trib pressroom what year?
I really like this guy. Great addition!
May 4th, 2016 at 1:20 pm
I agree with this being a great value pick. He may be a starter sooner than later, especially if injuries creep in on the OL.
May 4th, 2016 at 2:19 pm
If he works out as well as I think, this will be a grand slam+ draft. Im pretty stoked. With Caleb and Vitale plus our first 3 picks, then you throw a pretty good looking Safety Ryan in there…..na, thats just too good to be true. But if so, this draft is better than the last one. Unreal!
Keep it up Licht!! glazers WILL NOT allow you to leave, EVER.
May 4th, 2016 at 2:20 pm
Part of what’s holding up my B- grade.
May 4th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
The quality and depth of our o line looks great escpecially if this guy pans out. Sweezy is an upgrade from Mankins in the run game, watched some Seahawks all 22 and its obvious Rawls was more comfortable running to Sweezys side cause he can really clear out space.
May 4th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
I believe this guy was close to not being the pick. If you read between the lines in Koetter’s presser he said they were looking at a WR but it got picked just before the Bucs pick. The only round that happened was when Keenan Reynolds got picked one spot ahead by the Ravens. That guy just sounds like a Buc.
The only other one was MoBo (German WR) a few picks ahead of the Bucs by the Vikings.
May 4th, 2016 at 2:28 pm
I’m a Trojan grad bit have no issue cheering this kid on. Should be a good player and hopefully can add depth to the OL for a long time, if not eventually start at RT.
May 4th, 2016 at 5:23 pm
What’s the odds we get 11 possible starters in 2 drafts, Winston, DSmith, Ali, Kwon, Hargreaves, Spence, Aguayo, Vitale are locks, and then possibly Ryan Smith, Kenny Bell, and Benenoch, that’s insane….is this what good drafting looks like
May 4th, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Benenoch carried a 3rd round grade coming into the draft. We may have gotten a good OL prospect for cheap here. Nice job Jason Licht.
May 5th, 2016 at 6:36 am
I think some of you are reaching a bit projecting Vitale as a starter already. He is a 6th round pick witch historically, for a RB has only a 6% chance of producing a starter. Secondly when you watch his highlights, this guy is not a good blocker yet. Way to many blocks diving at people’s feet and missing. I love the whole super back thing but to be realistic, Vitale is a long shot until he proves otherwise.
May 5th, 2016 at 8:19 am
The reason he fell to the 5th round is because he decided to come out a little early, this kid has the talent and size, he’s just a little raw. I think the bucs got a steal the more I hear about this kid. word is from all scouts is that If he would stayed another year in college, he would of been a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Waarhop will mold this young man into a legit lineman.
Could take over for big Dot once he retires. He will probably play a role similar to our former 5th round project pick (that has developed very nice for us) in Pamphile playing swing tackle or lining up at guard or tackle. Imo he’s a clone of Kevin but with a little more athleticness and talent.