Kurt Benkert
refer to caption
Benkert with Virginia at the 2017 Military Bowl
No. 13 – San Antonio Brahmas
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1995-07-17) July 17, 1995
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:Island Coast
(Cape Coral, Florida)
College:East Carolina (2013–2015)
Virginia (2016–2017)
Undrafted:2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career XFL statistics as of week 7
TD-INT:1–2
Passing yards:181
Completion percentage:62.2
Passer rating:60.8
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Kurt Benkert (born July 17, 1995) is an American football quarterback for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at East Carolina and Virginia. He originally signed with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL Draft; he was also a member of the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. After originally being assigned to the Houston Roughnecks, he announced he would not play for the league, but was traded to the Brahmas midway through the season.

Early years

Benkert attended Cape Coral High School in Cape Coral, Florida and transferred to Island Coast High School in Cape Coral prior to his senior year. As a senior, he passed for 2,261 yards with 20 touchdowns. He committed to East Carolina University to play college football.

College career

After redshirting his first year at East Carolina in 2013, Benkert appeared in three games in 2014, completing eight of 10 passes for 58 yards and an interception. He was named East Carolina's starting quarterback heading into 2015, however he suffered a torn ACL before the season.[1] In May 2016, he transferred to the University of Virginia.[2][3]

In his first year at Virginia, Benkert was named the starting quarterback.[4][5] He completed 228 of 406 passes for 2,552 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.[6] In the third game of his senior season in 2017, Benkert broke the school record for passing yards in a game with 455.[7][8]

Statistics

Season Games Passing Rushing
GPRecordCompAttPctYardsAvgTDIntRateAttYardsAvgTD
East Carolina Pirates
2013 DNP
2014 30–081080.0585.801108.75234.62
2015 DNP
Virginia Cavaliers
2016 112–922840656.22,5526.32111120.660-94-1.60
2017 136–729850958.53,2076.3259124.165-63-1.00
Career278−1653492557.75,8176.34621122.4130-134-1.02

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m)		 218 lb
(99 kg)		 31 in
(0.79 m)		 9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		4.95 s4.33 s7.15 s31.0 in
(0.79 m)		9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)		16 reps
All values from NFL Combine[9]

Atlanta Falcons

Benkert signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2018.[10] He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[11][12] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on December 31, 2018.[13]

On August 6, 2019, Benkert was placed on injured reserve after suffering a toe injury in the preseason.[14]

On September 5, 2020, Benkert was waived by the Falcons and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16] He was elevated to the active roster on November 21 for the team's week 11 game against the New Orleans Saints, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[17] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021,[18] but was waived on February 18, 2021.[19]

Green Bay Packers

On May 17, 2021, Benkert signed with the Green Bay Packers.[20] On August 31, 2021, Packers released Benkert as part of their final roster cuts.[21] He was signed to the practice squad the next day.[22] Benkert was elevated to the active roster on December 7, 2021, to replace Jordan Love, who had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list the day before.[23] He saw the field for the first time in his professional career on December 12, kneeling the ball twice in the closing seconds of a 45–30 win over the Chicago Bears.

On January 25, 2022, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Packers.[24] On June 17, Benkert was released by the Packers.[25]

San Francisco 49ers

On September 20, 2022, Benkert signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.[26] He was released on October 12.[27] He re-signed to the team's practice squad on October 18, 2022.[28] On November 15, 2022, Benkert was released from the team again.[29]

San Antonio Brahmas

On December 12, 2022, Benkert was assigned to the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.[30] In a public statement, Benkert stated that, after initially seeking to join the league, he had chosen not to sign a contract, stating that it "no longer feels like the right (opportunity) to pursue" and that the decision was "the fault of no one" with Benkert stating he would instead spend spring 2023 out of football with his family. The Roughnecks retained his rights in the league.[31]

On March 23, 2023, the Roughnecks traded Benkert's player rights to the San Antonio Brahmas following an injury to Reid Sinnett.[32]

Benkert's debut in the XFL came in relief of starter Jawon Pass. Benkert completed one of his six attempts for two yards and an interception in the team's 15–9 win over the Arlington Renegades.[33] He earned his first start for the team's following game against the Vegas Vipers. He started the game off by throwing a one-yard touchdown pass to Fred Brown.[34] Late in the first half Benkert was hit following a throw and suffered three broken ribs,[35] but did not leave the game. He was eventually taken out late in the fourth in favor of Pass. Benkert was placed on the Reserve List on April 4, 2023.[36]

Career statistics

NFL statistics

Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GPGSCmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2018 ATL Did not play
2019 ATL
2020 ATL
2021GB 10100.000.0000.02-1-0.50
2022 SF Did not play
Total10000000002-1-0.50

XFL statistics

Year League Team Games Passing Rushing
GPGS RecordCmpAttPctYdsAvgTDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2023XFLSA 21 0–1233762.21814.91260.84123.00

Esports career

Benkert signed with Spacestation Gaming. He is alternate for the Spacestation Gaming Halo team.[37]

Personal life

Benkert married Samantha Morreal on July 2, 2016.[38] The two have a daughter together.

References

  1. ↑ "ECU QB Kurt Benkert out for season with knee injury".
  2. ↑ "East Carolina QB Kurt Benkert transferring to Virginia". USA Today.
  3. ↑ "ECU transfer QB Kurt Benkert apparently headed to U.Va". Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Island Coast's Kurt Benkert named Virginia's starting QB".
  5. ↑ "Transfer Kurt Benkert beats out incumbent Matt Johns as Virginia's starting QB". The Washington Post.
  6. ↑ Teel, David (August 19, 2017). "Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert quietly confident".
  7. ↑ RAMSPACHER, ANDREW (September 16, 2017). "Record day from Benkert fuels Virginia's rout of UConn".
  8. ↑ "Southwest Florida to college football: Island Coast's Benkert sets Virginia passing record".
  9. ↑ "Kurt Benkert Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". National Football League. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Falcons announce agreements with 27 undrafted free agents". USA Today. May 1, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  11. ↑ McFadden, Will (September 1, 2018). "Falcons 2018 roster: Atlanta announces roster cuts, trims active roster down to 52". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  12. ↑ McFadden, Will (September 2, 2018). "Falcons sign 10 players to practice squad". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  13. ↑ Conway, Kelsey (December 31, 2018). "Falcons sign nine players to reserve/futures contracts". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  14. ↑ McFadden, Will (August 6, 2019). "Falcons place Kurt Benkert on IR, agree to terms with Tommy Doles". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  15. ↑ McFadden, Will (September 5, 2020). "Falcons 2020 roster announced". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  16. ↑ Ledbetter, D. Orlando (September 6, 2020). "Falcons claim lineman, fill out most of practice squad". AJC.com.
  17. ↑ McFadden, Will (November 21, 2020). "Falcons flex Kurt Benkert to active roster for Saints game". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  18. ↑ McFadden, Will (January 4, 2021). "Falcons sign 11 players to reserve/future contracts". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  19. ↑ Conway, Kelsey (February 18, 2021). "Falcons release Ricardo Allen, Allen Bailey and waive Kurt Benkert". Atlanta Falcons Official Website. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Packers sign QB Kurt Benkert". packers.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Packers announce roster moves". packers.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Packers sign 16 players to practice squad". packers.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Green Bay Packers elevate Kurt Benkert as Jordan Love COVID-19 replacement". TMJ4.com. WTMJ-TV Milwaukee. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Packers sign 10 free agents". Packers.com. January 25, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Packers release QB Kurt Benkert". packers.com. June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  26. ↑ "49ers sign QB Kurt Benkert to the practice squad; Marlon Mack added to the active roster". ninersnation.com. September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  27. ↑ "49ers Sign Tevin Coleman to Active Roster; Release QB". 49ers.com. October 12, 2022.
  28. ↑ "49ers Sign Benkert, Hollman to the Practice Squad". 49ers.com. October 18, 2022.
  29. ↑ Posey, Kyle (November 14, 2022). "49ers release Kurt Benkert from the practice squad; sign QB Jacob Eason". Niners Nation. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  30. ↑ Perry, Mark (December 12, 2022). "QB's Kurt Benkert (Houston) and D'Eriq King (D.C.) Assigned To XFL Teams". Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  31. ↑ Statement from Kurt Benkert on his assignment to the Houston Roughnecks, from Benkert's official Twitter account, retrieved December 12, 2022
  32. ↑ Rachuk, Stephan (March 23, 2023). "Kurt Benkert Traded to San Antonio Brahmas". XFL Newsroom. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  33. ↑ "San Antonio Brahmas vs Arlington Renegades, Week 6". www.xfl.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Brahmas vs. Vipers - XFL Play-By-Play - April 1, 2023". ESPN. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  35. ↑ Benkert, Kurt (April 3, 2023). "The kid just got some bad news. 3 fractured ribs. Per source. 😕". Twitter. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  36. ↑ "XFL Transactions". XFL.com. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  37. ↑ "NFL quarterback Kurt Benkert joins Spacestation Gaming". upcomer.com. April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  38. ↑ "A man on the move". The Cavalier Daily. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
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