Benji Aguilera
No. 3 – Prospect | |
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Position: | Wide Receiver |
Personal information | |
Born: | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | October 6, 2033 (aged 31)
Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) |
Username: | Croney3 |
Career information | |
College: | University of Minnesota |
Career history | |
Roster status: | Active |
Benji Aguilera (born October 6, 2034) is an American football wide receiver who is currently preparing to enter the professional ranks.He played college football for University of Minnesota and has declared his intent to enter the professional ranks next season.
Contents
Early years
Benji was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He led his high school team in receiving each year since he was a sophomore, finishing as his schools all-time receiving yardage leader. He was also a 3 sport athlete, playing baseball in the spring and basketball in the winter. These sports helped his develop a repetoire of skills that translated directly to the gridiron, such as high pointing the ball and tracking the deep ball. Both of his parents went to the University of Nebraska and so he was heavily recruited around the mid west as a star prospect. However, he followed his childhood hero, Eric Decker, to the University of Minnesota to play wide receiver for the Golden Gophers. His parents were dissatisfied with his decision and his long time girlfriend broke up with him, but it was his dream. Eventually, his parents warmed up to the idea since he was staying in the midwest but he never did get his high school sweet heart back.
College career
Hoping to make a splash on a Golden Gopher team that was depleted in offensive talent, Coach Fleck decided to redshirt the freshmen to allow Benji to fill out his growing frame. While not pleased with the decision, Benji made the most of the practices, nutrition plans, and team meetings. During the spring practice of his 2nd year, he hauled in 4 touchdowns on 5 catches, establishing his red-zone abilities. His touchdown prowess continued during his RS freshmen season as he led the team with receiving 10 TDs and earned All Freshmen honors in the country. His momentum carried into his RS sophomore season, as he opened the year with 3 touchdowns against South Dakota State. A minor ankle injury hampered his next 2 games, but he came up big against rival Wisconsin when he had 157 yards on 8 catches, along with 2 touchdowns. He would go on to help the Gophers win the Big Ten championship while leading the Gophers in catches, yards, and receiving touchdowns. His dream of making it to the ISFL was now in grasp.
College career statistics
Career statistics | Receiving | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | Games | Rec | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
2053 | UofM | 12 | 46 | 562 | 12.2 | 67 | 10 |
2054 | UofM | 13 | 89 | 1039 | 11.7 | 80 | 13 |
Professional career
Ht | Wt | 40‑yd dash | 20‑ss | 3‑cone | Vert jump | Broad | BP | Wonderlic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
230 lb (104 kg) |
4.36 s | 4.02 s | 7.01 s | 31.2 in (0.79 m) |
10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) |
15 reps | 20 |
Prior to the season 40 DSFL draft, Benji was claimed by the Saskatchewan Spartans for the 9 game Prospect Bowl series. Starting 5 of those games and finishing with 26 catches for 372 yards (14.3 ypc) and 1 touchdown was an ok showing for the budding star. However, it was his locker room presence that really helped him stand out amongst the crowded draft class. Ultimately, Benji was drafted 10th overall (Round 2; pick 2) in the Season 40 DSFL draft by the Tijuana Luchadores. Wide receiver was not a huge need for the team at the time but they felt like they got a great player that was worth the investment. Tijuana had hoped that an great draft class could propel their team to the season 40 playoffs after finishing 7th in season 39. Aguilera joined returning top wide receiver, Eli Prince, get off to a great 3-1 start to the season. Unfortunately, Tijuana could not keep up the pace for the remainder of the season, dropping their last 6 games to finish 5-9 on the year. Aguilera and Prince were both considered the 1a and 1b of the Tijuana passing attack, finishing with 931 and 932 receiving yards, respectively. Prince got the upper hand in the touchdown category, however. If both receivers return to Tijuana following the S41 ISFL draft, they hope to end the trend of 7th place finishes and bring an Ultimini to Mexico.
Professional career statistics
Career statistics | Receiving | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | Games | Rec | Yards | Avg | Lg | TD |
2055 (S40) | Luchadores | 14 | 55 | 931 | 16.9 | 67 | 5 |
2056 (S41) | Luchadores | 14 | 69 | 1200 | 17.4 | 70 | 9 |
Achievements and records
Season 41 ISFL Draft - Round 1, pick 14 to Arizona
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