NFL Prospect Found Dead In San Jose Home
POSTED: Wednesday, March 26, 2008
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 24-year-old man who was expected to be a high draft pick in next month's NFL draft was found dead in a home in San Jose on Wednesday evening.
Homicide detectives were called at about 7 p.m. to a home on Lavista Circle, where Heath Benedict was found dead, police said.
Benedict was a standout offensive tackle at Newberry College in South Carolina and was expected to be drafted in the second or third round.
Benedict began his college career in Tennessee before transferring to Newberry College, a Division II school.
Newberry has not had a player drafted by the NFL in about 30 years.
Benedict worked out with the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this year prior to attending the NFL combine. The training went so well that Benedict was considered the surprise player of the combine and moved into the top five players among offensive linemen.
Jacksonville police said no foul play is suspected in Benedict's death. His body was taken to the medical examiner to find out how he died.
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