Iowa Hawkeyes’ week one matchup has special family ties for linebacker Seth Benson
Iowa’s week one matchup against South Dakota State might mean a little more than other games to Seth Benson, even though he would probably never admit it.
Before donning the Tigerhawk logo, Seth Benson spent his high school career manning the defense for Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was in the backyard of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. It is no surprise his initial intent was to call that home.
As reported by Inside the Hawkeyes’ Rick Brown, Benson was committed to the Jackrabbits up until the very end. Right before the signing period, the Iowa Hawkeyes offered Benson a scholarship and the rest is history.
As fate would have it, Benson’s final season at Iowa starts with a Sept. 3 meeting with South Dakota State in Kinnick Stadium. This runs much deeper than just a season opener. This one is personal.
Seth’s dad, Chuck, led the Jackrabbits in rushing in 1977. His brother, Austin, also played football for South Dakota State. His mom, JoElle, played basketball there and led the 1985-86 team in field-goal percentage and blocked shots.. His sister, Ellie, played volleyball there. And Seth was poised to follow in their footsteps.
So the choice was this. Continue the family legacy in Brookings or take a bite out of the Big Ten. It wasn’t a decision Seth took lightly. – Brown, Inside the Hawkeyes.
The predicament was clear. Benson’s family is engrained into the South Dakota State athletic department. His father and brother played football there. His mother played basketball there. His sister played volleyball there. It all appeared that he was going to be the next in line to become a jackrabbit.
Making the decision to come to Iowa City was not easy. His decision weighed on him with the distance and what it meant for his future.
“I’m a big family man. That was the hardest thing. I wanted to be a loyal guy, too,” Benson said to Inside the Hawkeyes. “And I had committed to a school and a program (at South Dakota State). I was going to be five and a half hours from my family. I had to think about that. But ultimately, I didn’t want to look back and say, ‘What if?'”
While the matchup will no doubt make Benson reflective, he said he’s at ease with the decision he made.
“It’s fun to look back at that. I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m just blessed I had the opportunity and I was able to come to Iowa. And I’ve got a lot ahead of me,” Benson said.
Benson, part of the linebacking trio of Jack Campbell and Jestin Jacobs, has found himself a home in one of the best linebacker groups in the entire nation. He was part of a defense that was near the top in most major statistical categories in 2021 and Benson registered 105 tackles individually.
The 6-foot, 232 pound redshirt senior linebacker thinks that improving upon last season is also possible.
“Yeah, I think so. Obviously, just got to keep pushing ourselves. Communication. It comes down to communication and executing everything, so just continue to push ourselves, not set limits for ourselves and just keep going upwards,” Benson said with HawkeyeReport’s Tom Kakert when discussing the potential of an even better defense.
Come week one, Benson will have the opportunity to strap it up against South Dakota State and begin a 2022 season in which he looks to continue elevating his game to the next level.
List
Iowa Hawkeyes announce 2022 Big Ten Media Day representatives
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7
Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
