Warwick student chosen as possible quarterback

03/31/09 - As if five wasn't enough, the University of Rhode Island football team will welcome current Warwick Veterans High School senior Bob Bentsen next year, making him the sixth student-athlete to compete for the Rams' starting quarterback position in 2009.Bentsen joins one redshirt freshman, one sophomore, two juniors and one senior.

"I've had to deal with things throughout my football career," Bentsen said, "like not being tall enough. I've heard that throughout my whole high school career. When I was younger, I wasn't fast enough so that's something I worked on. I've had tremendous work ethic and that will definitely help me succeed in the future."

In making his decision, Bentsen stressed the importance of getting playing time at a big school. Rhode Island offers him both of those things and because of that it is more attractive to him than Wagner University, a prep school he considered signing with.

"Wagner was alright," Bentsen said, "but I wanted a bigger school. I just felt like I'd be tired of 2,000 kids after a year. It would be like high school again for five years."

Bentsen joins 16 other incoming freshmen, but stands alone as the only quarterback. In addition to being the only incoming freshman at the quarterback position, Bentsen is the only in-state recruit and said that he feels there are certain things he can bring to the table to help his team win.

"I feel I can bring leadership," Bentsen said. "I definitely feel like a leader because I started [at Veterans] as a sophomore. We ran the same offense at Vets, so it will definitely help going into URI's offense, being pretty much the same thing."

The high school senior threw for 2,162 yards on 172 completed passes this past season. He hurled 24 touchdowns while running for an additional six. Bentsen was named the Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year for his clutch play and his admirable leadership. Given his success on the field, as both a player and a leader, Bentsen feels he has no reason to be nervous putting on a Rams uniform.

"I don't really get nervous," Bentsen said. "I think I play better under pressure and I think I showed that in some of my games last year. When the pressure was on, I performed my best. Coming in as a freshman is very tough anyway, but I think I can do a pretty good job."

Bentsen will join former Vets teammate, Tony Darakji, who graduated in 2007. In the time they spent together in high school, the combination connected for five touchdown passes.

"When I went up for my official visit I stayed with him," Bentsen said, "and it was good to see him. He moved over to defense so I won't be throwing the ball to him, but it will still be cool. Tony introduced me to a lot of people already, so I feel like I'll be able to fit in better right away."

Whether or not Bentsen gets the starting position as the Rhode Island quarterback, he said he feels confident that the team will succeed this year and the years to come.

"From what I've seen at URI, they have a lot of potential," Bentsen said. "The program is on the rise and I hope I can be in the mix. There's a lot of young talent and I think they look good."

Bentsen mentioned repeatedly how close he has grown to offensive coordinator Chris Pincince, and because of their relationship, his decision was not altered by the departure of Darren Rizzi and the signing of new head coach, Joe Trainer.

"I talked to Tony," Bentsen said. "He said it was pretty much the same thing going on and that the team was still committed. Coach Trainer called me, I talked to him and he seemed really enthusiastic about me coming up there, so that kind of made me feel good.