BIGGS, CA (MPG) – The odds against a high school football player moving on to play their beloved sport in college are long indeed. About 1 in 16, to be exact.

According to the NCAA, just six percent of high school football players make it to the next level. A local player has beaten those long odds.

Former Biggs High School standout quarterback Tucker Bennett, a three-year letterwinner at Biggs, has committed to play at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota.  Dakota State competes in the NAIA. The Trojans were 3-8 in 2018. Bennett said he expects to redshirt in 2019 and compete for the starting quarterback job in 2020.

It’s been an eventful three years for Bennett, who also played basketball for the Wolverines and has had to battle injury over this high school career. Bennett’s sophomore season included helping lead the Wolverines to a NSCIF Division 5 championship and state playoff appearance. That, Bennett said, will end up being his favorite on-field memory as his high school career ends.

But Bennett added that it’s the off-field memories that will stay with him the most.  “Off-season training, those moments in the locker room with the guys,” Bennett said. “It’s not just under the lights.”

Bennett threw for 4,084 yards in his three seasons, including 40 TDS against just 16 interceptions. And anchoring the Wolverine secondary from his safety position, Bennett had 14 interceptions and 19 total tackles.

Bennett said he owes much of his success to his teammates and coaches, especially head coach Tucker Rutledge and quarterback coach K.C. Berry.  “I’m thankful to them for all their work helping me grow into an adult and get to the next level,” Bennett said.

The Wolverine standout said he found everything he was looking for in his college choice on his visit to Dakota State.  “Academics, team, fit … DSU offered everything I was looking for,” Bennett said.

Bennett added that he had a few more people to thank. “Thank you, Mom and Dad for all the countless hours spent on driving me to all my various activities and supporting all my dreams,” Bennett said.

Rutledge said he was fortunate to inherit a budding star quarterback when he took over at Biggs in 2016. “Tucker always put in the work, both on the field and in the classroom,” Rutledge said. “It’s very exciting to see that work paying off for him.” Rutledge said Bennett has all the tools to succeed in college both on and off the field. “He’s one of our smartest kids,” Rutledge said.  Indeed, Bennett is a 4.0 student.

Rutledge said Bennett appears to be stepping into an ideal situation for a young quarterback making the jump to the next level.  “Redshirting will be ideal for him,” Rutledge said. “He can ease into the college game, learn what he needs to learn, and be ready when his opportunity arrives.”