Benson 'Blessed' To Find A Home At Akron

FARMINGTON HILLS - Cameron Benson admitted to a few doubts as an uncommitted high school senior. But those worries are no more after the University-Southfield High School 2021 found a home at the University of Akron.

“It’s senior year and I’m not committed so sure ... I’m starting to get a little nervous,” Benson said. “Covid stripped away a lot of my opportunities.”

But the 56th-rated 2021 in Michigan did not give up after college recruiting took a hit due to the coronavirus.

“I put in a lot of work in the fall,” Benson related. “I couldn’t get out for exposure, so I sent video to get my name out there. I was getting D-III looks, but I felt I was a better player than that. I’m blessed to receive something from someone like Akron.”

An Ed Santa Showcase proved valuable for Benson, who was among the participants along with the son of Akron assistant coach Cory Mee.

“He noticed me there and we ended up emailing and developing a relationship,” Benson explained. “He introduced me to the Akron program and sent me info on the engineering program.”

A wide variety of schools had talked to Benson prior, including Army, Hawaii, Eastern Michigan and Florida A&M before Akron moved to the front of the line after a zoom meeting with the coaching staff.

“I love the family environment with the coaching staff and their philosophy,” the 10th-ranked senior shortstop in the state said. “Another selling point was the engineering program.”

A 3.9 student, Benson made the commitment reality after an unofficial visit to the Mid-American Conference school located approximately three hours from his home in Farmington Hills.

“I saw the field and loved everything about the campus,” Benson explained. “I knew it was the place I wanted to go.”

Akron was enamored with what the 6-2 165-pounder had to offer.

“They like my personality and that I’m a great student,” Benson pointed out. “They like my actions at shortstop, that I swing from the left side and they also like my versatility I can provide for the program.”

Benson gave credit to his older brother Aaron with helping pave the path to a future in college baseball.

“He played at North Carolina A&T and to see his experiences, I knew it was something I wanted to do,” noted Benson about his older sibling, a Country Day High School graduate who was a pitcher in college. “I wanted to make it happen after watching him. He helped me out by giving me information on what they’re looking for at the next level.”

There was additional help along the way.

“Werner Blakely is a good friend of mine and he mentored me,” related Benson about the 2020 Detroit Edison High School grad who had committed to Auburn before being drafted and signed by the Los Angeles Angels this past summer. “I had a lot of talks with him. He was a big influence on my game and how I carry myself on and off the field.”

The 17-year-old believes he can use the knowledge learned to make a quick impression once arriving at Akron.

“I feel I can bring life to the program,” Benson noted. “It’s a relatively new program and I feel I can be an immediate impact player as soon as I step on the field.

“They’re looking at me as a middle infielder, primarily at short. I’ve always been a shortstop and they like the versatility and athletic movements that I show.”

The commitment brings to an end a recruiting process that was rocky at times.

“There were a lot of ups and downs,” Benson admitted. “I didn’t know what school would call or if they would be out of money or have any scholarships left. When Akron called it brought life to me.

“It’s a great feeling to know I had overcome all the setbacks with the pandemic and not having the options to go to camps. It’s good to know that they wanted me and that I’m not just a last resort. What a great feeling it is now to have it all over.”