Hoosiers Reunite With Familiar Face in Offensive Lineman Kahlil Benson

Written by: TJ Inman

The Indiana Hoosiers have had a successful end to the week, grabbing Ohio State offensive line transfer Zen Michalski and then Old Dominion quarterback Grant Wilson to add depth to that position. Curt Cignetti struck again, bolstering Bob Bostad’s offensive line with the addition of former Indiana Hoosier Khalil Benson. Benson was with the Hoosiers under Tom Allen and left for a season in Boulder playing for the Colorado Buffaloes. After a struggle to begin the 2024 campaign, Benson played very well in the final ten games or so and was expected to be a coveted target when he entered the transfer portal earlier this week.

After a very short recruitment, he has joined Louis Moore as former Indiana players that are rejoining the program after a season away. 

Khalil Benson played both guard and tackle under former offensive line coach Darren Hiller and he was at right tackle for Colorado. Offensive line was probably the position of greatest concern for the Hoosiers entering the weekend. Indiana lost starting right tackle Trey Wedig and starting center Mike Katic and the status of Drew Evans won’t be known until fall camp as he recovers from an injury suffered during the 2024 campaign. Ideally, Evans is ready to roll on day one and Indiana could place him back into the starting lineup at left guard next to Carter Smith. That would move Bray Lynch to center and then Benson could play right guard and Zen Michalski could compete with Austin Barrett for the starting right tackle position. Of course, Bob Bostad may have other ideas in mind and the practice field will sort out the best five and the backups but the addition of Khalil Benson is a welcome “homecoming” story that at a minimum adds experienced depth to IU’s offensive line with the potential to put the unit in much better shape than it was a couple of days ago.