INDIANA ADDS BENSON, MAYALA TO CLOSE OUT 2020 SIGNING CLASS
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head football coach Tom Allen announced on Wednesday the signing of offensive lineman Kahlil Benson (Southaven, Miss./Southaven H.S.) and defensive lineman Jalen Mayala (Dacula, Ga./Archer H.S.) to National Letters of Intent to play for the Hoosiers in 2020. IU inked 18 players during the early signing period and closed out the 2020 class with 20 total signees.
Kahlil Benson (CUH-lil)
OL • 6-6, 332
Southaven, Miss./Southaven H.S.
Prep/Personal: Offensive lineman for head coach Eddie Stevenson at Southaven High School … first-team all-state selection … Southaven team captain … played in the 2020 International Bowl … team captain in the Bernard Blackwell North South All-Star Game … ranked the No. 17 prospect in Mississippi and the No. 38 offensive guard nationally by ESPN … four-year football and two-year track and field (shot put) letterwinner … student ambassador … has volunteered at a school for special needs students … is a junior deacon … mother is LaTonya Benson … intends to study criminal justice … born on Aug. 30, 2002.
Coach Allen on Benson:
“We are so impressed with Kahlil’s character, the way he handles himself and his leadership on and off of the field. He’s a big offensive lineman with a very bright future here at Indiana.”
Jalen Mayala (May-Ah-la)
DL • 6-5, 230
Dacula, Ga./Archer H.S.
Prep/Personal: Defensive lineman and linebacker for head coach Andy Dyer at Archer High School … two-time all-region selection … Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Junior All-Star … made 70 tackles, 10 for loss, two sacks and three pass breakups his senior campaign … Archer won 32 games over his three seasons … ranked the No. 45 weak-side defensive end nationally by 247Sports … three-year football and two-year basketball letterwinner … honors student … mother is Nabintou Diallo … intends to study criminal justice … born on Sept. 17, 2001.
Coach Allen on Mayala:
“Jalen is a very talented defensive player and we are excited to welcome him to IU. He’s a long athlete and we are going to use him at defensive end. Jalen brings great athleticism and the ability to rush the passer.”
Overall, IU signed 12 offensive players, seven defensive players and one athlete. Indiana added seven offensive linemen, two wide receivers, one quarterback, one running back and one tight end on offense, and three defensive backs and defensive linemen, and one linebacker on defense.
Players signed from nine different states, including six from Indiana, three from Georgia, two each from Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri and Virginia, and one each from California, Ohio and Texas.
Running back Tim Baldwin Jr., offensive lineman Luke Haggard, offensive lineman Cameron Knight, defensive lineman Damarjhe Lewis, defensive lineman Caleb Murphy, offensive lineman Dylan Powell, offensive lineman Luke Wiginton, quarterback Dexter Williams II and linebacker Ty Wise are enrolled in spring semester classes and will participate in practice.
Here is a list of Indiana’s 20 signees: https://iuhoosiers.com/sports/football/roster/2019-20
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