Nebraska received some good news to start the weekend as 2024 Omaha Westside athlete Caleb Benning announced his commitment to the Huskers on Friday night.
The 5-foot-11 senior has been a standout safety, slot receiver and returner for the Warriors, who wrapped up an undefeated regular season on Thursday night with a 56-0 shutout of Lincoln Northeast. A consensus 3-star recruit, Benning chose the Huskers over Kansas State and a handful of other offers including Iowa and Wisconsin.
Benning has done a bit of everything for the Warriors as a senior. On offense, he has 29 receptions for 370 yards and five touchdowns. On special teams, he has 20 punt returns for 200 yards and an 89-yard kickoff return touchdown. He could have added another punt return touchdown to his line on Thursday but opted to hand the ball off to a teammate just before crossing the goal line. On defense, he has 33 tackles (24 solo) including six for loss, four interceptions (returned for 49 yards) and four passes defensed.
A three-year varsity starter for the Warriors, injuries limited him to four games in his junior season. He returned from a 10-week absence to play in the 2022 Class A state championship game, catching 13 passes for 96 yards and snagging two interceptions in a 43-41 victory over 2021 champion Gretna.
For his career, Benning has amassed 705 receiving yards, 692 punt return yards, 227 kickoff return yards, 101 tackles, 10 interceptions and 11 total touchdowns for a Westside team that has gone 33-2 over the past three years and looks to be the prohibitive favorite to win its second straight Class A title.
Benning is the son of former Nebraska running back and current Huskers Radio Network football color commentator Damon Benning, but he’s charted his own path throughout his high school career and his recruitment. A multi-sport athlete, Benning is also a standout basketball player for the Warriors.
Benning’s versatility in high school should translate well to Coach Matt Rhule’s program where he could play multiple spots in the back end of defensive coordinator Tony White’s 3-3-5 defense. Nebraska has loaded up on defensive backs in the class and Benning’s instincts, toughness, versatility and character make him a valuable addition to that group.
Benning is the 27th known member of Nebraska’s 2024 class and the eighth in-state product to choose the Huskers.
