Georgia Tech running back KirVonte Benson plans to transfer, a person familiar with the situation confirmed Friday. Benson was named second-team All-ACC in 2017 when he ran for 1,053 yards in his first season as a starter. He missed most of the 2018 season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the second game of the season.
Benson’s decision was reported earlier Friday by Jackets Online.
Benson missed spring practice as he recovered from the injury, but was expected to be ready for the season. Benson, who enrolled at Tech in 2015, has one more season before his five-season eligibility clock is up.
However, Benson is on track to graduate this summer, which would enable him to leave Tech as a grad transfer and have immediate eligibility.
In that event, he could play this season and then potentially apply for a sixth season to complete his eligibility with a medical hardship waiver to recover his lost 2018 season.
Should Benson leave Tech, it would reduce the number of team members on scholarship for the 2019-20 academic year to 85, which is the maximum permitted by the NCAA.
Without Benson, Tech would still have an ample supply of running backs, including Jordan Mason, Jerry Howard, Christian Malloy and Dontae Smith. Four-star running back Jamious Griffin of Rome High is one of three backs who will be enrolling after high-school graduation.
Three team members have left the team and entered the transfer portal since the end of spring practice April 26 – cornerback Dameon Williams, wide receiver Jaylen Jackson and offensive lineman Zakk Mckeehan.
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