Massive Tackle Likes Huskies

Nailing down a four-star offensive tackle like Alexandria, Va., native Jimmy Bennett could be a huge step in the right direction for the Connecticut program as it moves forward at the Division I-A level. With offers already in place from eight schools across the nation, Bennett is in demand.

West Potomac High School offensive tackle Jimmy Bennett made a visit to Storrs for junior day activities two weekends ago after receiving an offer from the Husky coaching staff some time ago. The 6-foot-8, 275-pound lineman also holds offers from Maryland, Virginia, Penn State, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Michigan State and North Carolina State and expects more soon.

“My visit to Connecticut went really well,” Bennett said. “The first thing we did was meet most of the coaching staff and the offensive line coach Mike Foley and my father really hit it off talking about some movie or something. They took time to sit down with us and answer any and all questions we had about the program and university and frankly, the coaching staff was the nicest I’ve come across so far in recruiting.”

“We were taken around to see the facilities and campus and everything looked pretty good to me,” Bennett explained. “To be honest with you facilities aren’t really that big a deal to me. I think if you’re basing a decision on where you go to college on how nice the weight room is you’ve got a problem there. From what I did see everything did look brand new though and I was impressed with the housing and business school.”

“A lot of it for me comes down to relationships and like I said before, the Connecticut staff is the nicest I’ve met so far,” Bennett added. “For example, Coach (Rob) Ambrose and I talk often and he’s always making fun of me for something. No matter what we’re doing, he’s picking on me here and there and we have the type of relationship already to where that’s cool. We get along really well and just have fun together which makes the whole process a lot more enjoyable. Connecticut is a school I could definitely see myself at in the future.”

Bennett plans to visit Clemson and North Carolina State during the first week of June and then will make a stop at Virginia Tech in mid-July. He is also being recruited heavily by Notre Dame, a school he’s visited in the past and spoken very highly of. As a junior, Bennett earned All-Metro honors and has not allowed a sack in two seasons as a starter.