Notre Dame Was An Opportunity Cody Benjamin Couldn't Pass Up

Notre Dame got positive news on Thursday afternoon as 2018 Berkeley Prep (Fla.) offensive lineman Cody Benjamin committed as a preferred walk-on to the Irish. 

The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder had been speaking with Notre Dame Director of Player Personnel, Dave Peloquin, but a quick conversation with head coach Brian Kelly sold the staff on Benjamin. 

“I had been speaking with coach Peloquin over the last month,” Benjamin told Irish Sports Daily. “Coach (Brian) Kelly and coach (Jeff) Quinn were down at my school visiting Nicholas Petit-Frere‍. I went down there and introduced myself to them, and they had watched my film. 

“I got the baseline of where we were, and I got a call today from coach Peloquin, who said he was offering me a preferred walk-on spot.” 

Benjamin didn’t have to think much at all about the offer as he had grown up an Irish fan his entire life 

“I grew up watching Notre Dame every weekend with my dad,” stated Benjamin. “I’ve been up there to watch some games, so Notre Dame has always been my top choice. Getting the chance to play for them is exciting.” 

The academic opportunity at Notre Dame was a factor Benjamin couldn’t pass on either. 

“No matter where you are in the world, everyone knows Notre Dame,” Benjamin said. “To have the chance to get a degree from such a prestigious school means the world to me.” 

Holy Cross (Mass.), Davidson and Florida Tech had offered Benjamin scholarships, but after a visit to South Bend, the Berkeley Prep standout knew where he wanted to be.

“When I visited Notre Dame, it was the place I saw myself at," said Benjamin. It felt so right to be breathing in that kind of air. I knew it was the perfect place for me regardless of scholarship or not.” 

The experience Benjamin has gained from his time at Berkeley Prep has given him an advantage he will use in college. Benjamin has to take ownership of his actions on a daily basis, which will benefit him at Notre Dame. 

“The academics are top-tier at Berkeley Prep like they are at Notre Dame. Our campus is basically like another college and they give you the freedom that offers a college experience. 

“No one is hovering over your head, and you do your own thing. You have to get your responsibilities done for yourself, and I’ll take that with me to Notre Dame.” 

The Florida native could end up on either side of the ball in college, but there’s one thing he knows he wants to do and that’s hit people. 

“I also long snap, so I’ll be working on that,” Benjamin explained. “I can play offensive line or defensive line. I’ll do anything it takes.

“I’m an aggressive player, and I love to hit people. I’m a big team player. Whatever it takes to win – I started off playing quarterback to linebacker to tight end to offensive tackle and defensive end. I’ll play wherever.” 

Benjamin also wasted little time making a pitch to Petit-Frere. 

“I told him today, ‘Hey, go ahead and commit. We can room together,’” said Benjamin. “He laughed it off. He’s not giving any insight of what he’s thinking. I’d love to have him, and we’re pretty close.

"It’d be great.”