Post-OSU Update: Brian Benio was no longer medically cleared to play football after the 1988 season, ending his career prematurely due to a narrowing of the cervical spine. (updated: Nov. 2022)

Pronunciation: BEN-e-oh

Major: Art & Sciences (1988)

Weight: 230 (1988), 229 (1987), 221 (1986)

1988 Media Guide: Brian Benio will challenge John Sullivan for a starting spot … got a good look in the spring while Sullivan was recuperating from knee surgery … the leading tackler in the spring game with 14 tackles … plays with a great deal of intensity and goes to the ball well … played 6.5 minutes in 10 games last year … had three tackles … redshirted in 1986 … grew up in the Columbus suburb of Gahanna, but attended high school in Georgia his junior and senior years … enrolled at OSU in the spring of 1986.

1987 Media Guide: Has a good blend of intensity, quickness and strength, all vital requirements to play linebacker.

1986: Entered Ohio State at mid-year and impressed Buckeye coaches in spring drills, but ended up redshirting.

High School: An all-Georgia selection as a senior … named Class AAA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, helping Roswell to a 12-1 record … his high school coach Ray Manus says, “The combination of intensity, movement and strength is what makes him so valuable.”

Personal: Hobby is lifting weights … admires Dick Butkus and Jack Lambert, former pro linebacking greats … father is an accountant.