Bryce Benhart, a 6-foot-9. 295-pound junior offensive tackle from Lakeville (MN) North, is considered the top line prospect in the state in the Class of 2019.
Gopher Hole recently caught up with Benhart after the Panthers’ 42-14 first round playoff win over Buffalo to learn the latest on his junior season and recruitment.
Gopher Hole: Obviously, the strength of your team is the offensive line. How pleased are you with how well you have done this season. The running back situation is different this year with the loss of Mr. Football Wade Sullivan, but it seems like you guys are really clicking offensively at the right time.
Bryce Benhart: We have great running backs. We are just clicking as an O line. We are taking steps forward. That is all we need right now, be more physical.
Gopher Hole: How many college games have you gotten a chance to go to so far this year?
Bryce Benhart: I’ve been to a few. I went down to Iowa State, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: What do you gain from those experiences? I know that you are only a junior, but you are starting that recruitment early. What do you learn from those types of visits?
Bryce Benhart: I’m just thankful. I couldn’t explain that I was going to do this one year. It started so early.
Gopher Hole: Does that get you even more excited seeing the campus, seeing the crowds and the atmosphere?
Bryce Benhart: Yes.
Gopher Hole: How many offers are you up to right now? Five?
Bryce Benhart: I’m still at 5. (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa State, UCLA and Northwestern)
Gopher Hole: What other schools are you hearing from besides those five?
Bryce Benhart: That’s nothing right now. Same schools right now.
Gopher Hole: What things are you really focused on to not only continue to improve yourself as a high school player, but to keep your eye on that high school game?
Bryce Benhart: Right now, I’m just focusing high school. Just to get my high school stuff good and my high school team going and college will come later. Right now, I am focused on high school.
Gopher Hole: Your dad played at Western Illinois and in the NFL for the Colts and was a college coach as well. How much has that had an impact on you?
Bryce Benhart: It’s great. He says that he stayed there for a year. He made it, but didn’t get enough to stay there.
Gopher Hole: How much has he had an influence on you playing the game? Is that where you got that love of the game?
Bryce Benhart: Yes, because my brother plays soccer. I’m the only one playing football in the family and I am just trying to carry it on with him.
Gopher Hole: What will it mean to play college football?
Bryce Benhart: It would be crazy. I can’t explain.
Gopher Hole: I know that the Gophers have made you a big priority in the Junior class and your teammate, Nathaniel Boe, has already committed there and they are committed to keeping the top in-state players. What are your feelings about Minnesota so far?
Bryce Benhart: I like them. I like them a lot. They are still up there.
Gopher Hole: I saw that you were recently named as one of the captains for the wrestling team. How much do you think that helps you as a lineman?
Bryce Benhart: Wrestling helps me so much. My dad took me out of basketball when I was young. Didn’t like the basketball program, so he got me into wrestling in third grade and it has just helped me keep my foot work and stay low and flexibility and all that stuff.
Gopher Hole: Obviously, there is a very good wrestler who is going to Minnesota next year, Gable Steveson of Apple Valley, who is in the same conference as you. What is it like to wrestle him?
Bryce Benhart: He’s an animal. He’s a monster. There is no one who can stop him.
Gopher Hole: Have you even thought about football camps for next year yet?
Bryce Benhart: No. Not at all. I’m just focusing on this.
Gopher Hole: What camps did you go to this past year?
Bryce Benhart: I went Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa State.