NDSU

* 2024 MVFC Presidents Council Academic Award
* 2021, 2023, 2024 MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award
* 2020-21, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 MVFC Honor Roll
* 2025 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society

2024 SEASON (SENIOR): Played in 14 games and made eight starts at linebacker...Totaled 41 tackles on the season...Made at least four tackles in five different games...Career-high eight tackles including six solo stops in the regular-season win against South Dakota State...Had five against Colorado in the season-opener and six against Towson...Named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society...Earned the MVFC Presidents Council Academic Award and Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award...Fifth straight year on the MVFC Honor Roll.

2023 SEASON (JUNIOR): Played in all 15 games and made seven starts at linebacker...Had 29 total tackles with one tackle for loss against Southern Illinois...One pass breakup against Western Illinois and two interceptions against Northern Iowa...Earned the MVFC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award...Named to the MVFC Honor Roll.

2022 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 15 games...Started the first five games at linebacker...Finished the year with 20 total tackles...Had one tackle for loss in the season-opener against Drake...Had one pass breakup at Indiana State...Season-high four tackles against Drake and Western Illinois...Earned the Missouri Valley Football Conference Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award...Named to the MVFC Honor Roll.

2021 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Backup linebacker who appeared in seven games...Credited with 12 tackles and one pass breakup...Season-high three tackles in the home win over South Dakota...Named to the MVFC Honor Roll...Earned the MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award.

2020-21 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Member of the Bison program, but did not play in any games...Named to the MVFC Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL: 2020 graduate of Hillsboro High School...Played outside linebacker and running back for coach Scott Olsen...Three-year starter...Tallied 51 tackles including 11.5 tackles for loss and one interception during senior season…Also rushed for 1,361 yards and 17 touchdowns...Totaled 187 tackles, nine sacks, 33 TFLs and six interceptions in his career…Rushed for 3,744 career yards and scored 46 total touchdowns...Two-time first team all-state...2019 Class AA Senior Athlete of the Year and North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year…2020 National Football Foundation Team of Distinction Midwest Region honoree...Nominated for the Shrine Bowl and the North Dakota vs. Montana all-star game…Led team to 35-1 record over final three seasons with three state championship game appearances and two titles...Also ran track and played basketball...Member of 4x200-meter relay state champion in 2018...Earned runner-up honors in 2019 in the 4x200-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay...President of National Honor Society.

PERSONAL: Graduated from NDSU in December 2024 with a degree in marketing...Son of Molly Baumgartner and Karl Benson...Both parents attended NDSU…Has a sister, Stella.