Mataalii Benjamin

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-7, 315 lbs. Taller than 75% and heavier than 79% of 2026 Offensive Tackle prospects in the SEC Scouts database (182 with a listed size).

Play Style

He is a length-first right tackle who wins by getting his hands on defenders early and using his reach to steer rushers past the quarterback. In a balanced Lehi offense he had to both pass protect and drive defenders off the ball in the run game, and his size lets him wall off the edge and move defenders on down blocks. No detailed public film breakdowns with specific technique notes were found. The ranking jump points to better movement and consistency as a senior, but specific film tendencies could not be verified.

Strengths

• Rare length and a ready-made frame: 6-7/315 coming out of high school means he doesn't need a multi-year weight-gain plan to be physically ready for Power-conference line play
• Starter production for successful 6A teams: he played right tackle for a balanced Lehi offense (1,923 passing and 1,547 rushing yards as a senior) that reached the 6A second round, after helping Skyridge reach the 6A state semifinals
• Evaluators rated his senior-year growth highly: 247Sports moved him from No. 477 to No. 199 in its final grades, which suggests his senior film showed real gains in movement and technique, not just size
• Power-conference demand: Minnesota took his commitment first and Utah's staff, led by offensive line coach Jim Harding, made him a priority and won him in-state

Areas to Improve

• Pad level and leverage: like most 6-7 linemen he needs to play lower and win with his hands against shorter, more flexible college defensive linemen who will try to get under his chest
• Pass-set footwork against speed: his lateral movement and kick-slide need refining so he can handle fast edge rushers and inside counter moves once he faces college athletes
• Strength and weight quality: converting his high school 315 pounds into college strength, especially anchoring against bull rushes and finishing blocks in the run game, is a one- to two-year job in the weight room

College Projection

He is listed on Utah's 2026 roster as a freshman offensive lineman at 6-7/315 and had not played in a game as of the end of September 2026. He is a redshirt candidate, and the four-game redshirt rule leaves room for late-season snaps. Utah signed four offensive linemen in this class (Kelvin Obot, Moses Sparks Jr., Rowdy Pearce and Benjamin), so the competition will be real. A realistic path: developmental redshirt in 2026, backup swing tackle in 2027, and a starting shot at right tackle in 2028. A move to guard is possible if his pad level doesn't hold up on the edge.

NFL Outlook

As a four-star with rare tackle size, he has a real but long-term NFL path. NFL teams look for 6-7 tackles with this frame, and Utah has a steady record of producing drafted offensive linemen. Whether he gets drafted depends on becoming a multi-year starter and showing he can handle NFL-caliber speed rushers. Early projection is a Day 3 prospect with upside to Day 2 if he develops as a pass protector over three-plus years in Salt Lake City. At this stage he projects as a developmental prospect, not an early-round one.

Best Fit

A program that develops linemen patiently and builds its offense around a physical run game, which describes Utah's traditional approach. A zone-and-gap run scheme that uses his length to seal the edge and down-block would suit him, along with a staff willing to redshirt and build his lower-body strength before throwing him in. A right-tackle role behind a quarterback who gets the ball out quickly would hide his early weakness against speed rushers while his footwork develops. Staying close to home near Lehi also helps him develop without the adjustment of moving away.