Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) Weight 140 kg | Name Darren Benson High school: Craigmont (TN) Positions Tackle | |
Date of birth: (1974-08-25) August 25, 1974 (age 41) Education | ||
Darren L. Benson (born August 25, 1974) is a former professional defensive tackle in the National Football League. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1995 Supplemental Draft.
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Early years
Benson attended Craigmont High School where he played as a defensive lineman. He accepted a scholarship to Arkansas State University and although he attended classes, he never played a game because of grades. In 1993, he transferred to Trinity Valley Community College. He played a key role in the undefeated (12-0) 1994 NJCA Championship team. In his two years, he registered 109 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 21 sacks.
Professional career
The Dallas Cowboys thought Benson had the athletic potential to develop into a Leon Lett type player and selected him in the third-round of the 1995 Supplemental Draft, surrendering by rule an equivalent pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. As a 20-year-old rookie he was deactivated during the first half of the 1995 season, until injuries in the defensive line gave him a chance to have a reserve role throughout the second half of the season.
In 1996, he was having problems adjusting to the professional game and decided to quit the team during mini-camp. After he was convinced to return, he suffered torn anterior and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee and was placed on the injured reserve.
In 1998 he was lost for the season in training camp, after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He tried to come back in 1999, but was released before the season started.