Caleb Benning joins the Nebraska program from Omaha Westside High School, where he helped the Warriors to one of the most dominant seasons in Nebraska high school history. Benning was just the sixth player in state history to earn All-Nebraska honors for three straight years from the Omaha World-Herald.
Benning was a key for Coach Paul Limongi’s team on offense, defense and special teams, helping Westside to a 13-0 record and its second straight Class A state title as a senior. The Warriors outscored the opposition 643-46 on the season and allowed only six points in four playoff games. Benning recorded 43 tackles, six interceptions, 19 passes defended and seven tackles for loss as a senior. On offense, he caught 45 passes for 602 yards and seven touchdowns, and accumulated more than 500 return yards, including 324 punt return yards. He was an honorary captain of both the World-Herald’s All-Nebraska team and the Lincoln Journal Star Super-State squad.
Benning’s junior season was limited to four games because of injury, but he returned to help Westside win the Class A state title game by nabbing two interceptions in the championship game. He totaled 16 receptions, 154 punt return yards and 10 passes defended on the season. Benning first earned All-Nebraska honors as a sophomore in helping Westside to a 12-1 record and a state runner-up finish. He made 68 tackles with four TFLs and four interceptions. Offensively, he averaged nearly 16 yards on 11 catches and had a combined 476 return yards.
Benning is a key part of the Warriors’ successful basketball program as well. A floor leader, he helped Westside to state semifinal appearances as both a sophomore and junior, and Westside is again ranked in the top five this season.
Benning is ranked among the top 50 safeties in the country by 247Sports and ESPN. Both of his parents are former Nebraska athletes. His father, Damon, lettered four years as a running back for the Huskers from 1993 to 1996. His mother, Tanya, was a three-year letterwinner for the Husker soccer team in the 1990s.