One of the best Canadian players in college football is teaming up with one of the sport’s highest-profile coaches.
According to multiple reports, safety Ty Benefield has announced his commitment to Louisiana State University, where he will be a cornerstone of Lane Kiffin’s first recruiting class. The Tigers’ new head coach made international headlines last month when he left Ole Miss to sign a massive new deal in Baton Rouge, despite the fact that his previous team had qualified for the College Football Playoff.
Benefield transferred from Boise State University with one year of eligibility remaining, seeking a bigger program to elevate his profile with NFL scouts during his senior season. The native of Vancouver, B.C., was rated a four-star prospect and the number two-ranked safety in the transfer portal, according to 247 Sports.
The six-foot-two, 205-pound defender has been an impact performer for the Broncos since his true freshman season in 2023, appearing in 41 games across three seasons. He has amassed 235 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, 16 pass breakups, and five interceptions during his time playing on the blue turf.
In 2024, Benefield was named an honourable mention All-Mountain West selection and one of five finalists for the Jon Cornish Trophy as Canada’s top NCAA player while helping Boise State reach the College Football Playoff. While they fell short of that mark in 2025, the Broncos captured their third consecutive Mountain West championship this season, and Benefield was named the game’s defensive MVP. He was also a first-team All-Mountain West honouree and a Cornish finalist for the second year in a row.
Benefield began his high school football career at Vancouver College before moving to Altadena, Calif., where he attended Crean Lutheran High School. Ty is the son of Daved Benefield, who played 13 seasons in the CFL as an outside linebacker and defensive end with Edmonton, Ottawa, B.C., Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan, twice earning league all-star recognition.
The former three-star recruit will be eligible for the 2027 NFL and CFL Drafts. He is the second Vancouver College alumnus to play for LSU, following in the footsteps of offensive lineman Pete Dyakowski, who won a national championship at the school.
