We continue our countdown to kickoff with a new series. This time we are taking a closer look at players from around the SEC that will become a household name this fall. Up first LSU Safety Ty Benefield.
Benefield spent last season at Boise State, but headed down to the bayou from the transfer portal. The Tigers are no stranger to developing elite defensive backs into NFL Draft picks. They’ve also had some success with safeties from the portal after nabbing AJ Haulcy from Houston prior to the 2025 season.
Benefield doesn’t play like Haulcy. He’s longer, and a little more athletic in space. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds he has elite size and ball skills. His junior season as a Bronco finished with 105 tackles and two interceptions. There’s a reason why he was ranked as the No. 26 player in the portal cycle according to On3.
What makes Benefield more unique is how cerebral and likable he is off the field. He’s a plug and play guy who will step in as a starter right away. He spent most of the spring taking first team reps in Blake Baker’s defense. However, when he wasn’t taking reps with the helmet on he was still learning, coaching, and trying to absorb as much information as possible.
Benefield would sit in the back end of drills and 11-on-11s next to Corey Raymond and other LSU assistants taking mental reps. There was no wasted time for him. Every moment was a learning opportunity, and he refused to not take advantage.
When he met with the media for the first time this spring, Benefield made an immediate impression. Benefield arrived, shook hands and introduced himself to everyone asking questions. He was articulate and well-mannered and after the 15 or so minutes of cliche questions about south Louisiana humidity and transitioning to the SEC, he got up and did the same thing before exiting.
On the field is where he will most likely make his biggest impact. He’ll get an opportunity to prove himself while learning from arguably the best defensive backs coach in America, Corey Raymond. He’ll also get a chance to play in the back end of what could be the best LSU defense since 2019.
The unit is loaded with potential and littered with stars like Whit Weeks and Princewill Umanmielen. Benefield could be the best player of anyone in that unit. That’s how high the ceiling is.
