Photo courtesy: Kenna Harbison/Boise State Athletics
One of the best Canadian players in college football will be returning to school next season in a different uniform.
Ty Benefield, a star safety for Boise State University, has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2. The true junior from Vancouver, B.C., was eligible to declare early for the NFL Draft, but will instead leave Boise in search of a bigger program to elevate his profile with scouts.
The six-foot-two, 205-pound defender has been an impact performer for the Broncos since his true freshman season in 2023, appearing in 41 games across three seasons. He has amassed 235 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, 16 pass breakups, and five interceptions during his time playing on the blue turf.
In 2024, Benefield was named an honourable mention All-Mountain West selection and one of five finalists for the Jon Cornish Trophy as Canada’s top NCAA player while helping Boise State reach the College Football Playoff. While they fell short of that mark in 2025, the Broncos captured their third consecutive Mountain West championship this season, and Benefield was named the game’s defensive MVP. He was also a first-team All-Mountain West honouree and a Cornish finalist for the second year in a row.
Benefield began his high school football career at Vancouver College, before moving to Altadena, Calif., where he attended Crean Lutheran High School. Ty is the son of Daved Benefield, who played 13 seasons in the CFL as an outside linebacker and defensive end with Edmonton, Ottawa, B.C., Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan, twice earning league all-star recognition.
The former three-star recruit is expected to have plenty of interest in the portal and will be eligible for the 2027 NFL and CFL Drafts.