Georgia Tech B-back KirVonte Benson earned All-ACC status last season playing at about 215 pounds. He is hopeful for more if he can play several pounds lighter.
“Trying to get more of a speed game, even though the B-back (position) requires a lot of power,” Benson said Thursday at the team’s media day. “Trying to do both, trying to bring something new to the game that people are unaware of or haven’t seen so far.”
Benson said Thursday he weighed 205 pounds, crediting better diet for the weight loss. If he can retain his power at 205 pounds, he figures to be even more productive. With a low center of gravity and strength in his lower body, Benson was difficult to tackle one-on-one. He ran 204 times for 1,053 yards (good for fourth in the ACC, despite playing only 11 games) and scored six touchdowns.
Benson had 20 runs of 10 yards or more, but turned only five of those into runs of 20 yards or more. Presumably, Benson can be faster and more agile with less weight, meaning a greater potential for breaking longer runs.
“Better for the offense, better for me,” Benson said.
Benson’s goal is to lead the ACC in rushing and touchdowns. It’s a high standard, but Tech B-back Anthony Allen achieved the former in 2010, rushing for 1,316 yards.
The last Yellow Jacket to lead the ACC in rushing touchdowns was quarterback Tevin Washington in 2012. Washington scored 20 touchdowns on the ground, a total that set a record for ACC quarterbacks. Washington is now the team’s associate director of player personnel.
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