1 – Productive corner
The 2021 first team CAA All-conference team selection played in 36 games over his four-year collegiate career. Benford racked up 137 tackles, three tackles for loss, 14 interceptions, and 47 passes defensed.
2 – Award-winning defensive back
Benford was named 1st-Team All-Colonial Athletic Association on defense in each of his last two seasons at Villanova. He was also named to the All-Rookie team in his first season on the field with the Wildcats.
3 – Strong student
Benford was on the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll for three semesters (Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Fall 2021). He was also named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll list for the Fall 2020 semester.
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Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida defensive back Kaiir Elam (5) intercepts the ball from Virginia wide receiver Hasise Dubois (8) during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Florida won 36-28. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Florida defensive back Kaiir Elam poses for a portrait during the NFL Football Scouting Combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) rushes a play as Samford's Chandler Smith tries to block during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Georgia running back James Cook (4) runs against Notre Dame linebacker Drew White (40) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia running back James Cook (4) hurdles players as he carries the ball against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct 9, 2021 in Auburn, Al. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia running back James Cook runs for a touchdown against Michigan during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Georgia running back James Cook scores against Michigan during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Georgia running back James Cook runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia running back James Cook (4) is tackled by Florida safety Rashad Torrence II (22) and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, rear, after rushing for yardage during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard celebrates with the championship trophy after the Big 12 Championship NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Baylor beat Oklahoma State 21-16. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard (26) returns an interception against TCU during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas. Baylor won 29-23 in triple overtime. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard (2) sacks Mississippi quarterback Luke Altmyer (7) during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard (2) sacks Mississippi quarterback Luke Altmyer (7) during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) grabs the ball for a one handed reception in front of UTEP safety Ty'reke James (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) catches the ball in front of BYU defensive back Chris Wilcox (32) during the second half in an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, in Boise, Idaho.BYU won 51-17. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) pulls in a catch over Hawaii defensive back Cortez Davis (18) and goes on to score during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Portland State safety Anthony Adams (14) looks back to break up a reception by Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 45-10. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) runs with the ball against Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Boise, Idaho. Oklahoma State won 21-20. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego State kicker Matt Araiza (01) warms up at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
FILE - Place kicker Matt Araiza (2) makes a field goal against Hawaii during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Honolulu. Araiza is unquestionably the best player for the No. 19 Aztecs, who will host Utah State in the Mountain West Conference championship game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at their temporary home in Carson, a Los Angeles suburb. Using his powerful left leg, the junior from San Diego is able to completely flip the field for SDSU, which has a strong defense but often struggles on offense. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File)
FILE - San Diego State's Matt Araiza (2) celebrates his field goal against San Jose State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. Araiza is unquestionably the best player for the No. 19 Aztecs, who will host Utah State in the Mountain West Conference championship game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at their temporary home in Carson, a Los Angeles suburb. Using his powerful left leg, the junior from San Diego is able to completely flip the field for SDSU, which has a strong defense but often struggles on offense. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
San Diego State place kicker Matt Araiza (2) and and holder Tanner Kuljian (13) follow the flight of a field goal in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Boulder, Colo. Colorado won 20-10. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego State placekicker Matt Araiza (2) has a kick deflected for a Utah State touchback in the second half during an NCAA college football game for the Mountain West Conference Championship, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
San Diego State kicker Matt Araiza (01) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington (3) looks to elude Villanova defensive back Christian Benford (41) during an NCAA college football game against Villanova in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept.25, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta (69) plays against Pittsburgh in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta (69) plays against Pittsburgh in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Pittsburgh place kicker Alex Kessman (97), center, hits a field goal as Virginia Tech's Luke Tenuta (69) leaps in an effort to block it during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta (69) plays against Pittsburgh in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Syracuse receiver Sharod Johnson (19) is tackled by Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) during an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (34) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
West linebacker Baylon Spector, of Clemson, (10) in coverage against the East during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is tackled by Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector, left, and defensive back William Poole during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri).
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is sacked by Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) celebrates after recovering a Notre Dame fumble in the end zone during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) celebrates after a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) tackles Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
