The entire 2012 season at Idaho saw Benson Mayowa put a quarterback on the ground with the ball in his hands three times during his senior campaign. Last night in San Diego alone saw Mayowa do that twice, being credited with 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries in his National Football League debut and the Seattle Seahawks’ first pre-season game.
The former Idaho defensive end played three quarters for the Seahawks last night, doing himself favors in his attempt to make the 53-man regular season roster after going undrafted.
“What I thought I saw in this game is the guys that had been doing stuff in practice did stuff in the game. We’ve seen Benson (Mayowa) rush like crazy all the way through camp,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told the Seattle Times following last night’s game.
Mayowa has been working as a weak-side defensive end, playing both with his hand on the ground and as a standing up pass rusher in what is referred to as the “Leo” position — A pass-rush specialist position that goes back to Carroll’s days at USC.
The position modification appears to be just what Mayowa needed. It’s allowed him to show off the speed and athleticism that got him noticed in the first place while focusing on one thing and one thing only, and that’s getting to the passer. Mayowa also displayed a fair amount of strength and technique en route to getting his 1.5 sacks last night.
One pre-season game alone won’t earn him a roster spot but it surely buys him more time to show what he can do, especially when Mayowa is trying to break into one of the deepest defensive teams in the league.
Mayowa is often compared to current Seahawks LEO Chris Clemons, who has 33.5 sacks over the last three seasons under Carroll’s defensive system.
The social media community surrounding the Seahawks sounded off on Mayowa.
Consensus is…Benson Mayowa, despite exhibiting marginal/OK get-off so far, flashed a repertoire. of move suggesting he's more than "raw"
— Derek Stephens (@DStephensScout) August 9, 2013
Benson Mayowa has got a motor on him! Took the long way around for the sack.
— Adam Wright (@BlueOsprey) August 9, 2013
So many bright spots. Among them: T-Jack, Stephen Williams, John Lotulelei, Bryon Maxwell, Christine Michael, Benson Mayowa. #Seahawks
— Jerry Brewer (@JerryBrewer) August 9, 2013
Been saying this for months, Benson Mayowa #95 is special. Plays alot like JPP of NYG. Young Clem in the making. @Benny_b0y10 #GoHawks
— Tyler Sniffin (@TylerSniffinNFL) August 9, 2013
Benson Mayowa – looked kinda a lot like Chris Clemons there cc @DavisHsuSeattle
— Danny Kelly (@FieldGulls) August 9, 2013
Jared
It's too bad Akey was completely incapable of getting production out of Mayowa. I think this illustrates clearly the difference between Pete Carroll and Staff vs. Akey and Co. One group is elite at maximizing talent and developing players. The other incompetent.