The Vanderbilt Commodores needed a lot of big plays from their defense to have the season they had in 2008. And linebacker Patrick Benoist was involved in plenty of them.
With a keen nose for the football, Benoist has established himself as one of the top defensive playmakers for the Black and Gold heading into 2009.
"I think he's sort of a natural football player," said Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson. "He just seems to know where the ball's going."
If Benoist's numbers are any indication, Johnson is right.
Benoist ranked first on the team and third in the Southeastern Conference with 109 tackles in 2008, including 6.5 for loss and two sacks, showing an ability to read offensive plays as they unfolded and using his athleticism to make stops.
But while he credits his lateral quickness as an important asset on the field, more important than that is his knowledge of the game itself.
"Being mentally prepared and having quick reaction times just helps you be that much better," Benoist said. "It goes along with physical strength, helps you get to the ball, helps you see what's going to happen, (make) pre-snap reads."
"Through a lot of hard work, he knows exactly what to do," Johnson said. "He understands what we're trying to get across and rarely makes mental errors. When you put yourself in that kind of position play after play, he takes advantage of it."
The Texas native was a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week with standout performances in wins at Vanderbilt Stadium over then-No. 24 South Carolina and then No. 13 Auburn, Vanderbilt's first home victories over ranked opponents since 1992.
"It was very humbling," Benoist said. "I'm just happy they came into big wins for the team."
The Commodores certainly needed both victories as they achieved bowl eligibility with six wins for the first time since 1982 and won their first bowl since 1955 to finish off a winning season. Benoist was rewarded at the end of the year with an All-SEC Second Team selection.
He registered 15 tackles, including one for loss and a sack, in the 24-17 win over the Gamecocks on Sept. 4. He was also honored as the Bronco Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week by the Football Writers Association of America and added to the watchlist for the prestigious Nagurski Trophy, given annually to the best defensive player in the nation.
In Vanderbilt's 14-13 upset of the Tigers on Oct. 4, Benoist had a goal-line stop on fourth down and a sack among his team-leading 13 tackles, all while playing with a cast after breaking a bone in his right hand earlier in the season.
He came to the Commodores in 2006 as a member of a very talented recruiting class that have been the core of the Vanderbilt defense, including cornerbacks D.J. Moore and Myron Lewis, defensive tackle Greg Billinger and linebacker Brent Trice. As one of several rising seniors with three years of SEC experience, Benoist wants to be a guide for the younger players.
"I just try to find how people learn, specifically with the linebackers, and try to show them in the best way possible how to adapt," he said.
His example and work ethic impresses his coaches and fellow players.
"Everybody respects him. He played hurt, and he played a lot of plays," Johnson said. "He's going to give his best for the team."
Johnson doesn't have to look to Benoist to be a leader for his younger teammates. He expects it.
"He's just a great example for our guys," Johnson said. "He helps those younger guys with the mental aspects of it, and we'll never have to ask him to do that. It's just sort of a natural thing for him."
