Mario Benavides Articles and Info

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LOS FRESNOS, TEXAS -- The top college football prospect here is Mario Benavides, a young man driven by a strong work ethic and a desire to earn something that doesn't come too often for an offensive lineman in the Valley of Texas. RebelSports.net treked 960 miles (one-way) to see Benavides up close and in practice. Go inside for this exclusive story about the Rebel commitment.


www.olemiss.rivals.com/default.asp

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www.texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&change_well_id=2&url_article_id=1185

Junior Tour: Benavides another example of overlooked Valley talent

03/23/2007

By Jake Shaw/TexasFootball.com

An internet search for Mario Benavides brings up links for a famous football player.

Scratch that — make it a famous futbol player.

Little has been written about South Texas' Mario Benavides, a star in his own right at 5A Los Fresnos. The 6-4, 280-pound offensive lineman, whose video reveals he moves like a linebacker, suffers from the same lack of exposure as teammates from the 2006 team, twin brothers Justin and Jeremy Springer.

Neither Springer received much hype, but by Feb. 7th, both were signing national letters of intent (Jeremy to UTEP; Justin to Kansas).

"I just think it's tough being in the Rio Grande Valley, being on the border of Mexico," Los Fresnos coach Scott Ford said. "But I think (word on Benavides) will get out. (The Springers) ended up signing Division I scholarships and they weren't on any of the lists last year."

Playing in the far reaches of the state — and in the last district number-wise in the class (32-5A) — results in the mainstream audience missing out on guys like Benavides. However, Ford says while fans and recruiting sites are unaware, college coaches are clued in to this all-state performer.


"The coaches are on him pretty hard. He's already been to A&M for their junior day and visited with them," Ford said. "Rice has visited, and Ole Miss likes him a lot. I don't think he'll have a problem getting a scholarship."

The combination of his size and speed (he's consistently timed around a 4.9 in the 40) lends a quick explanation. Benavides is also very strong; he'll represent Los Fresnos as the Region IV champion at the upcoming state powerlifting meet.

In fact, Benavides' strength reminds Ford of a player he coached earlier this decade at Killeen Ellison.

"I think he's a Super Team-type player," Ford said. "I compare him to Tommy Harris who I coached in Killeen. He's the only kid who power cleaned more than Tommy. I think he's going to be special."

Like the former OU star and current Chicago Bear, who's been noted for having a softer side, Benavides can seemingly step into a phone booth as a quiet kid, and step out as a strongman ready to dominate.

"He's like jekyll and hyde," said Ford. "He's extremely nice off the field, a yes-sir, no-sir kid, but he's ultra-nasty on it. We've got to hold him off in practice. He's got the perfect football mentality. He definitely plays until the whistle blows."

That final whistle blare came late this past year. Los Fresnos went undefeated through the regular season, then went three rounds deep before bowing out to eventual state finalist Austin Westlake.

Though on the other side of a 45-19 defeat, Ford said Benavides "probably played his best game against Westlake."

Benavides is the type of recruit you see nearly every year at talent pools like Westlake, Dallas Carter and Lufkin. Ford knows and understands that. Perhaps that's why he's so grateful Benavides is a Valley product.

"I'm just glad he's going to Los Fresnos."

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www.team4news.com/Global/story.asp?S=6360400

College football recruiters are starting to realize that the Rio Grande Valley is a reservoir of untapped Division I talent. Just this past year, 4 local football stars committed to major programs, the most in Valley history. Now, just a few months after National Signing Day, one local junior has the 1st scholarship offer for 2008.

Los Fresnos offensive lineman Mario Benavides received the 1st of what is sure to be many offers on Wednesday, this one from Rice University. Owls coach David Bailiff told the 6'4, 280-pound Benavides this is the earliest he has ever offered a scholarship, and with only 4 spots open in the 2008 class for linemen, it's obvious the big Falcon is a prime target for the 1st year head man at Rice.

Mario is a 1st team 5A All-Stater, as well as a unanimous selection for the 2006 32-5A All-District team, and says the 1st offer is a big relief. "The fact that it's from such a prestigious school is also a big plus, but I'll wait a few months before making a verbal commitment."

Texas A&M has had Benavides on their radar ever since he attended the Aggies junior day, and any schools that found Mario while looking at video of recent Los Fresnos seniors Jeremy Springer (UTEP) and Justin Springer (Kansas) will no doubt come calling as well.

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texastech.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?sid=1043&script=/content.asp&cid=673536&fid=&tid=&mid=

May 15, 2007
Benavides putting Los Fresnos on the map

Armen Williams
RedRaiderSports.com


Two weeks ago, offensive tackle Mario Benavides was holding a pair of offers and just getting the recruiting process rolling. Since then, the Los Fresnos standout has received five additional offers. Unfortunately for the quintuplet of new offers, the 6-foot-4, 285-pound lineman had already committed to Ole Miss. Schools are beginning to find out where Los Fresnos is located as the roads to the small town are being worn down by division-I coaches. Who is the latest offer for Benavides and where does Tech rank amongst those still purusing the talented lineman?

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story.scout.com/a.z?s=446&p=2&c=640383



Mario Benavides, offensive lineman from Los Fresnos, Texas, became the eighth commitment for the Ole Miss Rebels. The 6-4, 285-pounder was named first team All-State for his junior season.

"They think I am one of the top offensive linemen in the country, and they made me feel wanted," Benavides said. "Plus, I get a chance to play in the SEC which gives you more exposure than any conference in the country. And, I love coach [Art] Kehoe. He coached at Miami for 25 years and won five national championships."

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sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=rivals-120643&prov=rivals&type=story_recruiting

Sleeper Texas OL grabs first offer
By John Talman, Recruiting Analyst – Rivals.com

John Talman
Rivals.com
The secret is out on one of the bigger sleepers in the Lone Star State.

Los Fresnos, Texas offensive guard prospect Mario Benavides, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound junior all-state selection, has added his first scholarship offer from Rice. Coach Scott Ford says that it's more than likely the first of many.

"The best way I can put it is that he's by far the best offensive lineman I've ever coached," Ford said. "Even in this day and age, we get overlooked. But, Jeremy Springer getting a scholarship (Kansas) has opened the door for guys like Mario."

Ford was at Killeen Ellison when Oklahoma and NFL star Tommie Harris came through. Having seen both at the same age, Ford says that there are a lot of similarities.

"Tommie was a defensive tackle, so they're on different sides of the ball, but if we could have lined up these two at the same age, it would have been a battle," Ford aid. "Tommie Harris is the only kid I can compare him to that is just that total package."


Schools such as Iowa State, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Houston, SMU, and others have picked up the word on Benavides. Those schools and others are expected to come down to check out the rising offensive lineman.

Benavides also attended a junior day at Texas A&M. Several schools have indicated they could be offering.

"Ole Miss has told us that they'll be offering him," Ford said. "I guess the word is getting out now because people are calling everyday either to ask for film or to say they've seen it and they're coming down."

Benavides has recorded a 385-pound bench press max and a 525-pound squat max.

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05/22/07

Rebel Commit to visit Oxford next week


LOS FRESNOS, TEXAS -- The top college football prospect here is Mario Benavides, a young man driven by a strong work ethic and a desire to earn something that doesn't come too often for an offensive lineman in the Valley of Texas.


James Bryant

Mario to take unofficial visit to Ole Miss next week.
Benavides wants to earn a scholarship and prove to the football coaching world that there are worthy young men who can play football at the highest college level from his area in Texas.

"When college coaches think of the Valley, they think we are all small and can't play Division I," Benavides told RebelSports.net in an exclusive interview in Los Fresnos.

"It's been my goal to prove them wrong - to show them that there is talent down here and that I'm not the only one."

It looks that Benavides will get his wish. He currently has eight scholarship offers and the list continues to grow. However, it was Ole Miss's offer that got his attention first.

"Ole Miss was my first offer," Benavides said. "What really impressed me about Ole Miss and made me commit to the Rebels was that when I did my research I realized what a great academic reputation that they had - that along with Coach (Art) Kehoe's reputation as an offensive line coach - that was enough for me."

Taking a chance on a school sight unseen isn't something that the Benavides family takes lightly; however, they'll solve that problemat the end of this month.

"We will take an unofficial visit to Oxford on May 29," Benavides said. "I expect it will solidify my commitment to the Rebels that much more. I want to see all the great things I have heard about. I want to spend some quality time getting to know the coaching staff and the current players."

Kehoe's resume and the number of offensive linemen that he has sent to the NFL also played a major role in the all-state lineman's decision.

"Kehoe is like a legend," Benavides said. "He has coached a lot of great linemen and sent a lot to the league. I would love to learn and play for him."

One thing that quickly evident from attending one of Benavides practices is the young man's leadership and work ethic. Both of those sentiments were echoed by Los Fresnos veteran coach Scott Ford.


James Bryant

Mario shows great pass protection abilities.
"Ole Miss is getting a young man that is mature beyond his years," Ford said. "If I had to pick one word out to describe him as a player it would have to be tenacity. He loves to finish off an opponent as you got to witness today. His work ethic is second to none and he has a true passion for the game."

His mother, Ann, also echoed the coach's sentiments.

"Mario is a very dedicated worker," Mrs. Benavides said. "He never ceases to amaze me. He is a great football player because he works so hard at it. He has always been a leader and not a follower."

When asked what makes himself such a good football player, the humble and polite young man was slow to answer.

"I practice things a lot," Benavides said. "I keep doing it until I get it right, I'm a self perfectionist. By doing things over and over the right way, it becomes second nature."

With every offer, there's speculation that Benavides could waiver on his commitment to Ole Miss, a verbal pledge he gave on Apr. 26.

"I'm very solid on my pledge," Benavides said. "In fact, my parents and I are looking at the possibility of me graduating early in December so I can participate in spring drills. I only have two classes left that I have to have and I want to get a head start on my college career."

Benavides feels that this upcoming trip to Ole Miss will tell him a lot about his pledge and his decision to choose the Rebels.

"It should strengthen my commitment," Benavides said. "I expect to fall in love with it once I see it in person. I have heard so many great things about it. I can't wait to see Ole Miss and Oxford."

[harlingencardinalsrock]

mario has a long wide chin, and a fat double chin. he looks more like an obese wolf than a falcon.

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I'm going to leave that funny post by that harlingen north fan just so everyone can see how funny it is.

obese wolf?

[kathy78566]

Go Falcons!!!! Its just more fuel for the fire!