Naval Academy Athletics

•    High School / Personal:  A 2022 graduate of Pedro Menendez High School in St. Augustine, Fla., Benford was a two-sport athlete who earned letters in football and track & field ... two-time All-State (Fla.) football selection who was named first team as a sophomore and third team as a junior ... named the Co-District Player of the Year as a sophomore ... also garnered all-district and all-county recognition his sophomore and junior years ... three-year football team captain ... led Pedro Menendez HS to the district title in football his sophomore season ... member of the National Honor Society and served as class president ... also received offers from five other schools, including South Florida and UAB ... father, Brandon, is a graduate of Florida State where he played defensive tackle (1998-2002) ... uncle, Roderick King, is a graduate of Bethune Cookman where he played linebacker (1994-96) ... son of Brandon and Yasheika Benford.