KINGSTON | Theo Benedet, the star blocker of the UBC Thunderbirds, is 1.87 meters tall and weighs 137 kilograms and wants to follow in the footsteps of his mentor Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
Benedet was invited to the East West Shrine Bowl last year and won the JP Metras Trophy as the country’s outstanding lineman the last two years, two honors the former Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets guard has earned throughout his career. Benedet has received plenty of interest this fall from NFL teams.
“18 teams came to visit me on campus and I will have my pro day in the spring,” he said. At first I thought it was cool, but I quickly focused on the goal of winning the Vanier Cup in my final career game in the university ranks.
“I received many interesting comments about my strengths and weaknesses from recruiters who were looking for someone who had lived in France for a year and spoke excellent French. They think I have potential and good technique, but they want me to add 10 to 15 pounds to my frame depending on whether I play inside or as a blocker.
When he arrived at UBC, the 21-year-old blocker, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday in December, weighed 235 pounds. “The season lost due to COVID-19 was beneficial for me because I was able to focus on my physical development. I gained 50 to 60 pounds.”
An attentive ear
Despite all his experiences, the Ottawa native can count on Duvernay-Tardif’s attentive ear. The two entrusted their interests to agent Sasha Ghavami. “Laurent has been an inspiration since I was very young and he has become a mentor since we had the same agent. He is always available when I have questions. It’s nice of him to be there for me. As for Sasha, I met him at East West and I had the best relationship with him.”
Important decision
Benedet, who was eligible in 2023, decided to postpone his draft year to 2024. “It germinated in my mind before I was invited to the East and West,” he said. I told myself if I had an exceptional week in Florida I might change my mind, but it wasn’t perfect. In addition, the work at UBC was not yet completed. In my first season in 2019, we missed the playoffs with a record of two wins and six losses and are at the end of our journey. My dream is to win the Vanier Cup in my last game.”
With the Thunderbirds, Benedet can count on an experienced position coach. Dan Dorazio has been an offensive line coach in the NCAA for 26 years and in the CFL for 21 seasons and is still driven by the same boundless energy. He was hired by the T-Birds this year.
“It’s unbelievable,” Benedet said. He comes with new techniques. I can’t believe he has so much energy.”