ASU Football: 4-star RB Eno Benjamin chooses Sun Devils over Texas at Army Bowl

Somewhere, Todd Graham must be ecstatic, and one would agree it’s warranted.

The Arizona State Sun Devils picked up a commitment from Texas running back Eno Benjamin on Saturday during the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Game.

Benjamin, a product of Wylie East High (Texas), selected ASU over Texas, among four other programs.

A two-time First Team All-State performer and 2016 Texas AP Class 5A Offensive Player of the Year winner, Benjamin is the fourth Texan pledge added to the Sun Devils’ 2017 signing class, joining running back Trelon Smith, linebacker Loren Mondy, and safety Ty Thomas. He’s the 13th overall commitment Todd Graham’s staff has earned this circuit, and will be an early enrollee, according to Rivals.

The consensus four-star prospect originally committed to Iowa, but decommitted from the Hawkeyes in late October following an official visit to ASU earlier in the month.

ASU, Michigan and Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas and Utah composed Benjamin’s final six, but Baylor was also recently in on the sweepstakes. As of late, he was believed to have settled on choosing between the Sun Devils and Longhorns.

Texas recently earned the commitment of two other tailbacks for its 2017 class, presumably enough to encourage Benjamin to pledge with ASU considering it’s only added one running back this cycle (Smith).

According to MaxPreps, Benjamin lettered three years: his freshman, sophomore and senior years. His cumulative stats between those seasons: 676 carries, 4,707 rushing yards (7.0 yards per carry, 181 yards per game), and 54 rushing touchdowns in 26 total appearances.

As for the missing junior season, don’t worry, there’s no injury history to be concerned of. It’s possible the site simply couldn’t manage the outrageous numbers Benjamin posted that year, which he’s since tweeted out: 2,652 rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns; 3,035 all-purpose yards and 45 total touchdowns.

Benjamin will join an ASU backfield set to lose three players to graduation following the conclusion of the 2017-18 season (Kalen Ballage, Demario Richard, and Jacom Brimhall), meaning the talented rusher could receive significant snaps in the not too distant future.

At 5-foot-10, 203 pounds, Benjamin isn’t as big as Richard or Ballage, but possesses a larger frame. He figures to compete to handle every-down duties in a backfield potentially comprised of himself and Smith, who’s conversely molded in the form of a smaller, change-of-pace back.

The addition of Benjamin may also ensure the Sparky formation is around a bit longer, so long as offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey is in town. During Benjamin’s senior year, he attempted 60 passes, completing 36 for 562 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions, at times operating out of a direct-snap formation.

Check out some of his plays out of the package — and more — below in a senior-year highlights package: