Versatile Bastrop OLB Case Benoit emerging as FBS prospect in spring

2027 Bastrop (Tex.) outside linebacker and defensive end Case Benoit displayed his versatility to college coaches this spring and it paid off. He’s got offers under his belt and his recruitment is picking up.

As a junior, Benoit stacked up 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and 12 hurries as he was named the 5A D2 District 11 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

In 2025, Benoit was more of a standup outside linebacker, but now with a new defensive staff he’s playing more of a 5i and 4i position on the defensive line. He’s added 25 pounds this offseason already and he’s not done yet.

“Through the season I lost a lot of weight,” Benoit told Rivals. “All December I was trying to gain weight and then our offseason we were just pumping weight. I was lifting three different times a day till April. Through that time like I was drinking protein, taking carb shakes and through those three months I gained 20-25 pounds. 

“I really noticed that weight because I have a lot less time to take on pullers or I’m engaging with the tackle a lot more where I have to long arm. The weight I put on during the offseason and the lifting, it’s a big noticeable difference for me. I won’t even see the guy coming and I can just take it on to where last year I probably would have got folded just with my weight.”

Midwestern State was first to offer the 6-2, 210-pounder and he then added Texas Southern, getting him on the FBS radar.

“Obviously, I’m confident in my ability and I’ve always thought I am good enough to play at that level, but it really is surreal for it to actually happen. Midwestern State came in as my first one,” Benoit said. “It’s just a surreal feeling and I didn’t know where it’s going from there. I didn’t know if I was going to get one and that was going to be my spring. Texas Southern came in and their D-line coach evaluated me and offered me off the practice. It gave me that feeling that I do belong, people are noticing. It’s just a crazy feeling I can’t really describe, but it’s really nice to know that all the work I’ve put in over the years, these coaches recognize it and they think I’m good enough to play their program.”

Midwestern State offensive line coach Tyler Preston is the area recruiter for Bastrop and they dished out Benoit’s first offer to him.

“He said, as a former offensive lineman, we hate going against guys like you. He’s like, I’m going to send your film out to the defensive staff,” Benoit said. “I didn’t think much of it because we talk to a lot of coaches and they all say we want you at a camp and we’re gonna send your film out. That Friday, I’m leaving the facility and Griedl pulls me out, our head coach, and he gives me the phone and it’s the same coach and he said, do you have any offers yet? I said, nah, I don’t. He’s like, well, Midwestern State just offered you, you have your first one.

“I’ve been keeping in touch with them a little bit, got all their defensive staff on Twitter. It was a really cool feeling. I’ve talked to the coach that offered me two or three times, so we’re keeping in touch.”

Texas Southern was up next as defensive line coach Matthew Passwaters offered him while he was in Bastrop.

“It was a really cool story from my end because I didn’t even know they were coming through that day. I have a good gauge of what’s realistic and schools taking interest,” Benoit said. “As I’m on the field, I get introduced to him. I noticed he’s kind of following me around. I didn’t realize he was their defensive line coach. We’re in board drills and my technique was really bad for my first couple of reps. I was holding my own, but I also wasn’t doing as good as I should have. He pulled me to the side and he was giving me coaching points and just fixing my technique. I fixed my technique and then after those first couple reps I ended up winning and then I had the practice of my life. 

“He offered me off of me being coachable and taking his technique. After I got the offer I like started balling out. It’s just crazy the little things I would have never thought him telling me to fix and me actually doing it would have been the reason I got offered,” Benoit continued. “A lot of kids don’t think that. I didn’t think that but it really is the little things that can get you over the edge. My first Division I offer is because I listened to the coach. He said he’d like to have me down there to see the campus. I really like that that he’s the guy that believed in me and he would be the guy coaching me.”

Fordham, Colgate, and other Ivy Leagues are circling Benoit as well with his class standing, grades and test scores. He plans to camp at Trinity’s Mega Camp this summer and do other camps as well. Stephen F. Austin is taking interest as well in him.