Notre Dame Commit Taebron Bennie-Powell Proving The Doubters Wrong
When Notre Dame received a commitment from 2024 West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West safety Taebron Bennie-Powell back in June, there were a lot of questions that arose. From a fan’s perspective, the Ohio native wasn’t a name who had been on the radar at all. Things moved quickly, camping, being offered by Notre Dame and committing in only a few days.
Was this a reach? Was this a product of a lot of safety misses in the 2024 recruiting class? All were fair questions after watching Bennie-Powell’s junior film and underwhelming performance while camping at Notre Dame.
There was an urge, however, to let this one play out. Bennie-Powell was playing out of position as a junior, and his coaches at Lakota West kept telling everyone that senior year was going to be a big one.
Naturally, his senior film was one that was heavily anticipated. That would be able to tell whether this was really a reach, or merely a great evaluation from the Irish staff.
WHAT WE KNEW
One part of Bennie-Powell’s game that was expected based on his junior film is his work in the run game. He works as a rover and outside linebacker in 2022. You can see that comfort in working toward the line of scrimmage.
Bennie-Powell quickly locates the ball carrier and works inside-out. He explodes for a big hit and forced fumble. That upside as an intimidating presence is an easy projection on the next level.
Staying near the line of scrimmage is his comfort area. That wasn’t much of a surprise.
Bennie-Powell is very consistent with his talents as a tackler. He doesn’t miss often, possessing a good tackle radius and aggressiveness to finish at the football.
Working inside-out, you can see the comfort from Bennie-Powell. He attacks the inside hip, explodes on contact and makes the play ranging to the sideline. That type of play is all over the place on Bennie-Powell’s senior film, as well as junior film.
As a junior, Bennie-Powell did work more as a run defender from the slot and from outside-in. As a junior, his run fits are utilizing several different angles of pursuit. Here he is working from depth, having to fit inside the tackle box.
You can see the patience from Bennie-Powell. He finds his fit really well, maintains square pads and makes a very sound tackle technically. Staying true to his technique has been a key to his comfort as a senior all around.
THE UNKNOWN
Playing as a de facto outside linebacker as a junior, there were going to be a lot of questions for just how good Bennie-Powell could be in a true safety role. He has answered the majority of those concerns so far this season.
Off of junior film, Bennie-Powell appeared to be a functionally solid but unspectacular athlete. That athleticism seems to have taken a big step forward as a senior. His short area explosiveness has especially been impressive, evident on this play in particular.
Bennie-Powell gets contacted by another route. He quickly gets through the traffic and explodes for a big hit on the sideline. You can see as he sticks his foot in the ground, he is able to close ground in a hurry. That explosiveness is evident all over his film thus far this season.
You can once again see that twitchiness out of his break on this particular interception. Bennie-Powell quickly reads, diagnoses and gets to the football for the big play.
Once Bennie-Powell arrives at the football, he is able to elevate and finish the catch for a big turnover. A tipped pass obviously helps but regardless the talented safety was going to be in a great position to make a big play. That play was a huge indicator for just how much more comfortable he has been navigating space.
For players who aren’t comfortable in increased space, they can really struggle when plays work out of structure. In this clip, the opposing quarterback steps up and extends the pocket to his left. He finds a matchup that he likes with Bennie-Powell trailing the wide receiver.
Bennie-Powell shows the patience and comfort to work from behind and come up with a big pass breakup. You can see his combination of closing speed and length on this play. That is a really impressive play.
Something you didn’t see from Bennie-Powell as a junior was any ability to make plays from depth. On this particular play, he is in a two high safety alignment with the ability to play over the top.
You can see Bennie-Powell has his eyes toward the wide side of the field and the wing back releasing. Bennie-Powell is able to read the quarterback's eyes and come back to the short side of the field. He locates a wide receiver trying to settle to a soft spot in the middle of the field. You can see the change of direction, and football intelligence, of Bennie-Powell to range back and break up the pass.
While it isn’t an exact indicator for how good of a safety Bennie-Powell could be, his blocker field goal can still show the quality of athlete he is. On this play, Bennie-Powell rushes off of the edge for the block.
You can once again see that explosiveness athletically. He is able to get up to top speed and finish for a big play. That work on special teams will be very welcomed as well on the college level.
ASSESSING SENIOR PROGRESS
Quite simply, the Notre Dame staff was right. Bennie-Powell was a player who was played out of position but as a senior, he’s showing the athletic talent and upside he can bring to the position.
Once thought of as an underwhelming pickup by some, Bennie-Powell has quieted those naysayers. He’s put out tremendous film as a senior. He has transformed from a question mark to a very important member of the safety position in the future for Notre Dame.
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