Interview: 2020 San Diego SR Benjamin “Benjo” O’Brien Proving Doubters Wrong

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Every football fan loves the movie Rudy. What’s not to like? A real-life story about an underdog who beats the odds playing college football for Notre Dame inspiring teammates and those around him along the way. The knock-on Rudy was his size and athleticism, but imagine a Rudy-like player with athletic abilities driving the opposition crazy snap after snap with his heart and determination making plays on the field. There is one I can think of; his name is Benjamin “Benjo” O’Brien.

One quickly gets the feeling that throughout his life O’Brien has faced a proverbial wall with coaches wondering either out loud or privately, what can this kid do? During his freshman season, he ripped his peer group apart rushing for 1,223 yards with 13 scores while adding 610 receiving yards making 22 total trips into the end zone. By season’s end, he had racked up 2,334 all-purpose yards and even contributed on defense coming up with five interceptions.

One can guess that those around O’Brien may have thought the Benjo magic would be absorbed at the varsity level against bigger and faster players… but where there is a will, there is a way. The 5-6.5, 148-pound, athlete furthered his growing legend for Westview High School in 2017 amassing 681 receiving yards, 42 rush yards, and 445 total return yards. When all was said and done, O’Brien had once again defied the odds producing 1,168 total yards with eight total touchdowns.

Astute readers have quickly formed an opinion with one burning question, what level of competition did the young Mr. O’Brien play against? He came out of the Palomar league in San Diego, a California Division-II classification. Adding a little nuance to the story, the Wolverines finished the 2017 season with a 7-5 record. O’Brien received the Wolverines’ Coaches’ Player of the Year Award and as a sophomore was honored as a third team All-Palomar selection.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the overlooked California talent to learn more about O’Brien’s game and football goals.

Interview

Benjo, you tore it up against your peer group during your freshman season on offense playing running back and receiver. What were some of the things you did well on the field during your sophomore year to keep that trend going?

“I was lucky. My coaches saw my potential giving me a chance to play. My route running, ability to get open, and my speed allowed me to get open and make plays.”

You played some defense during your freshman season, will you play defense in 2018?

“I’m not sure. I am doing individual work with our defensive back coach. I am focused at staying on offense right now unless they need me.”

When does the team start practicing for spring ball?

“We are in it right now. We are having a few practices, some 7v7 practices as a team to compete against other teams. We started last Sunday. I think our full spring ball with the entire team starts in another week or two.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“I joined our track team this spring, I wanted to build up my speed. I want to take a slant, or on any route, and use my speed to get past any defensive back. I am going into the gym to get bigger. I am working on my route running as well.”

Are you playing 7v7? Team

“I am. I am playing with Fast Camp.”

How is that helping improve your game?

“I am improving a lot. Last year, our 7v7 team did not play in as many tournaments. This year, we’ve played in a lot of tournaments against a lot of great competition against national teams. Running routes against them, is giving me more experience that will help when the season starts.”

What goals have you set for this offseason?

“This offseason, I am trying to get my weight up and my 40 time down. We are losing a lot of seniors. I want to step up as a leader. I want us as a team to start building and improving now for the season. I want to be the leader to get our guys out on the field and prepared for the season.”

Have you attended any camps this year?

“I attended the Adidas Rivals Camp.”

How did the Adidas camp go?

“It went well. The weather was not the best, but I think I did well.”

Do you have any upcoming camps set yet?

“I have some in June, some college camps at the Redlands and with Washington, and a La Verne Football Camp.”

Are you receiving any college interest?

“I received a Junior Day invite from Lyons College in Arkansas.”

Do you have any planned visits upcoming?

“I am planning on visiting San Diego State.”

What has you excited about visiting SDSU?

“I’ve been in San Diego my entire life. I’ve been on the SDSU campus a lot. Playing in my home town, and playing close to my family gets me excited.”

What’s your favorite subject in school this year?

“Spanish. I like learning different languages. We live so close to the border, it is important to learn both languages.”

You mentioned track earlier, are you playing any other sports for your school?

“Just track and football.”

Which events?

“The 100, 4×1, and 200.”

When you take the field, what is your mindset out there?

“The biggest thing for me, going on the field, to a camp, or a 7v7 tournament, I want to prove that size does not matter. I’ve been going up against guys that are 6-4 and 6-2, 200 pounds, and I can still get past them.”

What do you do away from football for fun?

“I like spending time with my family. Watching film is one of my favorite things to do. Knowing how to beat the opposition by watching film is one of my favorite things.”

Benjo, thanks for your time today and good luck with spring ball.

“Thank you.”

*Click link for Benjo O’Brien’s Hudl highlight reel

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Photo credits: QBshooter; Benjo O’Brien in action