old-school tackling machine, still the kind of linebacker coaches love
In the most recent available Vanderbilt-era profile, Patrick Benoist stood out as a high-volume, instinctive linebacker who finished the 2008 season with 109 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks, while ranking fourth in the SEC in tackles and earning second-team All-SEC recognition. He was praised for reading plays quickly, closing with speed, and bringing a steady, team-first edge; the knocks are mostly durability and era-specific context, since the public data available here is from his Vanderbilt career rather than a current 2026 stat line.
