Ottawa's Jackson Bennett was named the Ontario University Athletics most outstanding stand-up defensive player on Thursday in Burlington, Ont., as part of the conference's Major Awards and All-Stars presentations. Bennett was also named to the league all-star teams at two positions, and is joined on the First Team of All-Stars by defensive team mate Jamie Harry.
In his third year with uOttawa Bennett, who hails from Cumberland, Ont., was a force to be reckoned with in multiple facets of the game, representing one of the most unique and diverse players the sport has to offer. His speed and power made him a play-maker all over the field and resulted in multiple highlight-reel plays to complement his consistent, unrelenting defensive intensity.
Thanks to his defensive prowess - picking up a team-leading 47 tackles along with three interceptions, one touchdown, one sack, and a forced fumble - as well as his return game ability - earning over 600 yards and one touchdown - Bennett earned First-Team honours on defence and Second-Team recognition on special teams.
Harry was another dangerous element on the Gee-Gees defence, second on the team behind Bennett with 42 tackles at corner. The third-year from Lachine, Que., led OUA with five interceptions, which was also second in U SPORTS. Harry also recorded five pass breakups and 2.5 tackles for loss and has been recognized as an All-Star for the first time.
Bennett is the second Gee-Gee in the team history to receive the OUA President's Trophy, following Mark Pretzlaff in 2001, while Lukas Shaver, Mike Hendricks, and Gord Weber earned the OQIFC award in 2000, 1993, and 1989, respectively.
Bennett was recognized as a Second Team OUA All-Star in 2016 and an OUA All-Rookie team member in 2014 before missing his sophomore campaign due to injury. An Environmental Sciences student, Bennett is also ranked among the top 20 CFL prospects for 2018.
