Kahlil Benson

OT · Kansas City Chiefs

Complete NFL Player Profile

Early Life & Background

Kahlil Benson was born and raised in Southaven, Mississippi, a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee. Southaven is a mid-sized city with a strong football culture, deeply rooted in the traditions of the Southeastern Conference, particularly the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and Mississippi State. Benson grew up in a community where high school football is a cornerstone of local identity, with Friday night lights drawing crowds of several thousand to local stadiums. His upbringing in such an environment likely played a significant role in shaping his athletic identity and work ethic from a young age.

While specific details about Benson’s early family life remain publicly unavailable, his physical stature—standing at 6’6” and weighing 305 pounds—suggests a natural build for offensive line play. The typical trajectory for offensive linemen from regions like the Mississippi Delta involves early exposure to football, often starting in youth leagues before progressing to high school varsity teams. Benson’s size would have been a notable asset from an early age, allowing him to dominate smaller opponents on the field, which could have contributed to his development as a standout prospect.

High School Career

Kahlil Benson attended Southaven High School, located in DeSoto County, Mississippi. DeSoto County is known for producing a number of NFL talent, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, and Southaven High has been a feeder program for collegiate and professional football. The school competes in Mississippi’s largest classification for high school sports, 6A, where athletes are scouted heavily by major college programs.

During his time at Southaven, Benson would have been exposed to high-level competition in one of the most talent-rich regions in high school football. Mississippi is particularly known for its defensive linemen, but offensive linemen with prototypical size and athleticism are also coveted, especially those who can play tackle. Given his eventual position as an offensive tackle in the NFL, it is reasonable to infer that Benson played both left and right tackle in high school, or perhaps started at one side before transitioning.

While official statistics from his high school career are not publicly documented, Benson’s performance would have been evaluated by college scouts based on his ability to anchor against pass rushes, drive defenders in the running game, and maintain technique in pass protection. High school offensive tackles who measure 6’6” or taller and weigh over 300 pounds are typically targeted by Power Five conferences, particularly in the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC, due to their physical profiles fitting the modern NFL mold.

Benson’s high school career likely culminated in regional accolades or all-state honors, though specific awards or statistics are not available. His progression from Southaven High to an NFL roster—even as an undrafted free agent—indicates that he possessed the fundamental tools and football IQ necessary to compete at higher levels, even if his statistical profile was not widely tracked or highlighted by recruiting services.

College Career

College information not available in public records.

NFL Draft

Kahlil Benson went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, a common outcome for many offensive linemen who are not viewed as top-tier prospects by scouting agencies. Undrafted offensive tackles often enter the league as priority free agents, signing with teams that value their physical attributes and potential for development over raw production metrics.

Benson’s path to the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted offensive tackle reflects both the competitive nature of the position group in the NFL and the Chiefs’ philosophy of identifying and developing undervalued talent. The Chiefs, under head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach, have built a reputation for rostering high-quality offensive linemen who may have flown under the radar during their collegiate careers. This approach has yielded long-term contributors like Creed Humphrey, a second-round pick in 2021 who quickly became one of the league’s best centers, and Jawaan Taylor, a second-round tackle in 2019 who provided stability at right tackle.

Given the Chiefs’ focus on building depth along the offensive line—especially after injuries to key starters such as Joe Thuney and Orlando Brown Jr. in recent seasons—the addition of Benson likely came with the expectation that he could compete for a roster spot as a developmental prospect. Teams often sign multiple undrafted offensive linemen each year, giving them time to acclimate to the speed and physicality of the NFL while competing for practice squad positions or future roster spots.

Professional Career

As of the current date, Kahlil Benson has not appeared in an NFL regular season game. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2024 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent, joining a roster with significant depth at the offensive tackle position.

The Chiefs entered the 2024 offseason with a mix of established starters and promising young talent along the offensive line. Joe Thuney and Orlando Brown Jr. were under contract at guard and tackle, respectively, with Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia also on the roster as developmental players. This depth likely made the competition for a roster spot particularly intense for Benson, but his physical profile—size, length, and strength—would have been critical in earning his first NFL contract.

Evaluating Benson’s professional career at this stage is inherently speculative, as he has not yet played in regular season games. However, his path to Kansas City suggests that the Chiefs viewed him as a player with untapped potential, possibly due to his collegiate background (even if not publicly documented) or his performance in private workouts and rookie minicamps. Offensive linemen with his measurements are often given time to develop in practice squad roles or as developmental projects, with the goal of either contributing as an emergency backup or developing into a rotational piece.

The Chiefs’ recent draft history with offensive linemen—including Humphrey and Taylor—demonstrates a willingness to invest in the position through both the draft and undrafted free agency. If Benson is to carve out a role in Kansas City, he will likely need to excel in training camp, prove himself in preseason action, and eventually contribute on special teams or as a backup tackle in short-yardage or goal-line situations.

Playing Style & Strengths

Kahlil Benson’s physical profile suggests a prototypical NFL offensive tackle, characterized by his height (6’6”) and weight (305 lbs). Offensive tackles in the modern NFL are expected to possess a blend of size, athleticism, and technique, with an emphasis on pass protection and run blocking. Benson’s measurements align closely with the ideal specifications for the position, as teams prioritize length and body control to handle edge rushers and maintain pocket integrity.

Based on his stature, Benson likely relies on a combination of strength and leverage to anchor against pass rushes. His ability to extend his arms and keep defenders at bay will be critical in one-on-one matchups against speed rushers, a hallmark of successful tackle play in the NFL. Additionally, his weight distribution and footwork would need to be refined to prevent speed-to-power conversions by defensive ends, a common issue for young tackles.

In the running game, Benson’s size and power should translate well to opening lanes for Kansas City’s running backs. His capacity to drive defenders off the ball and create push in the A-gaps or off the edge could make him a valuable asset in gap-scheme offenses, which emphasize pulling guards and downhill runs. Teams in the AFC West, particularly the Chiefs, often deploy diverse run concepts, including outside zone and counter plays, which require tackles to be both athletic and physical.

Another potential strength is Benson’s recovery ability. Offensive tackles who can reset their base after being beaten initially by a defender are often able to sustain longer careers, as they are less likely to experience prolonged struggles in pass protection. If Benson demonstrates quick recovery in pass sets and the ability to reset his feet, he could quickly move up the depth chart.

However, without documented college tape or combine measurements (such as the 40-yard dash, bench press, or vertical jump), assessing his athleticism in detail is challenging. Scouts often evaluate prospects like Benson based on their “feel” for the game, hand placement, and processing speed—areas where high school and undrafted prospects may have flown under the radar.

Personal Life

Due to the limited public information available about Kahlil Benson, details regarding his personal life are sparse. He was born in Southaven, Mississippi, and likely spent the majority of his formative years in the Memphis metropolitan area, given Southaven’s proximity to the city. The demographics of Southaven, a majority-African American community with a strong football culture, suggest that Benson’s upbringing was influenced by the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance that are often emphasized in youth sports.

While specific information about his family, education, or extracurricular activities outside of football is not publicly available, it is not uncommon for undrafted prospects to maintain a low public profile, particularly early in their careers. Many players from smaller high schools or less-recognized programs choose to avoid media attention until they establish themselves at the professional level.

Off the field, Benson’s early professional experience with the Chiefs would likely involve adjusting to the demands of NFL life, including rigorous training schedules, media obligations, and the pressures of competing in one of the most physically and mentally taxing leagues in sports. The Chiefs organization, known for its player development programs and emphasis on culture, would likely provide Benson with the resources to acclimate smoothly, provided he demonstrates the work ethic necessary to succeed.

Legacy & Future Outlook

At this stage of his career, Kahlil Benson’s legacy remains entirely unwritten. As an undrafted rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs, his path to NFL success will depend on several factors: his ability to seize opportunities on the practice squad, contribute on special teams, and eventually prove himself as a reliable backup or developmental tackle. The Chiefs’ recent history of developing undrafted offensive linemen into significant contributors—such as Humphrey and Cam Erving (a former Chiefs guard)—provides a blueprint for what Benson’s career could look like if he maximizes his potential.

The NFL is a league where offensive tackles often take multiple years to reach their prime, particularly if they require additional development in pass protection techniques or footwork refinement. Benson’s lack of college tape makes his evaluation more challenging for analysts and fans, but the Chiefs’ decision to sign him suggests internal confidence in his long-term athleticism and football IQ.

Looking ahead, Benson’s immediate future likely centers on earning playing time in training camp and preseason games, where he can showcase his abilities against live competition. If he demonstrates the necessary tools to compete at the professional level, he could earn a spot on the 53-man roster as a backup tackle, providing depth for an offensive line that has faced injuries in recent seasons. In the long term, if he continues to develop under the guidance of Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck—a coach known for his ability to extract maximum performance from linemen—Benson could emerge as a rotational tackle or even a starting option in a few years.

For now, however, Benson’s career is still in its earliest stages, and much of his legacy will be shaped by his dedication to improvement, his adaptability to the demands of NFL football, and his ability to turn opportunity into sustained production. If he can follow the example of previous undrafted offensive linemen who found success with the Chiefs, Benson has the potential to carve out a meaningful career in the league.