It has been a protracted highway for Battle Floor Academy alum Chico Bennett Jr. to seek out himself again on a Virginia soccer subject.
After transferring to BGA for his junior and senior seasons after enjoying at Rock Ridge Excessive College in Ashburn, Virginia, Bennett determined to decide to Georgia Tech to play outdoors linebacker for the Yellowjackets.
Although, he spent simply two years in Atlanta earlier than transferring to his residence state of Virginia to play for for the Cavaliers.
Although, damage saved him off the gridiron in 2021 after the previous Wildcat tore his ACL.
Now, Bennett will lastly get an opportunity to indicate Cavs followers what they will look out for with their new go rusher.
“It was thrilling, acquired to knock the rust off,” Bennett Jr. informed CBS19 in Charlottesville, “I feel the path that we’re stepping into is a reasonably optimistic one, however total it was thrilling to get again on the market.”
In 2019, he amassed 17 total tackles in his freshman marketing campaign with Georgia Tech in seven video games earlier than happening with a season-ending damage. He totaled 30 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in 15 video games with the Yellowjackets in two seasons.
Now, after lacking the whole thing of the 2021 season, he’ll have an opportunity to get again on monitor after not enjoying soccer for the reason that fall of 2020.
“Flip a brand new web page, not essentially put the whole lot up to now, however I feel with the ability to study, particularly with the accidents it is one thing to take with you,” Bennett Jr. informed CBS19 about his current historical past, “I feel it is good momentum going into this new season.”
The senior Bennett ought to rotate within the Virginia go rush this fall with redshirt junior Ben Smiley III and graduate transfers Kam Butler and Jack Camper.
UVA defensive ends coach David Slade says the group has been impressed with Bennett in his return.
“Chico, he is a really prideful child, he desires to do the proper issues, he takes constructive criticism fairly good, he had a tough time with me at first, however now he is beginning to study me a bit of bit,” Slade informed CBS19, “I am actual large on particulars and small issues, however he is receptive, he desires to be good, I feel that is a part of it. I feel he comes out right here each day with an agenda and a plan.”
As well, Bennett has already impressed Virginia head coach Tony Elliott.
“He is flashed a bit of bit this spring,” Elliott informed CBS19. “He is a man that is acquired skill, he is a excessive character younger man, has nice management qualities and so it is good to see him have some success.”
At Virginia, Bennett is joined by Brentwood Academy alum Noah Josey, who tasks because the beginning proper guard for the Cavs this fall. Different locals with the Cavs embody former East Nashville wideout Demick Starling and former Cane Ridge defensive sort out Michael Diatta.
Virginia will open the season Sept. 3 at residence towards Richmond.