Here Is A Glimpse Into African American Football Player To Watch, Ben Banogu & How To Get Better Insight
Viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to seeing Nigerian Ben Banogu in National Football League (NFL) action, as ESPN brings live action from the 2020-21 season this coming week, Friday 13 to Thursday 19 November 2020.
DStv andGOtv is your home of the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.
Banogu was born in Nigeria but grew up in Texas and played American Football for the Prosper High School Eagles, followed by the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and Texas Christian University Frogs in college.
In 2019, Banogu was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round (49th overall) of that year’s NFL Draft. He made his debut for the Colts in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. The defensive end really made his mark in a narrow win over the Denver Broncos just over a year ago, including a famous sacking of quarterback Joe Flacco.
Banogu is continuing to grow his influence at the Colts, with head coach Frank Reich saying: “He’s explosive. He came back in the best shape of his life and his body composition – he’s lighter and leaner and faster and quicker than I think he’s ever been. I think you see that out on the field.
“There are moments (in) one-on-ones, that you have to try things out. You’re going to get beat sometimes, but you have to be patient and keep working it and trusting it. I think Ben is going to do a great job for us.”
The 24-year-old Nigerian-born player is still learning the ins and outs of the league and his own game, but veteran defensive end Justin Houston believes the young pass rusher is beginning to establish himself within the Colts defense.
“I’ve seen Ben grow more and more confident in his rushing and learning who he is, and what type of rusher he is,” he explained. “I think that was the biggest thing – he was unsure of what kind of guy he wanted to be. I think now he is establishing who he wants to be and what kind of rusher he wants to be. When you gain confidence in who you are and what you can do, that helps as a pass rusher.”
Given his athleticism and pace off the line, Banogu can be typecast as a speed rusher. But Houston also believes he plays with more power than is expected in that role: “I definitely think he is a speed rusher, but I think he has more power than he realises. He is starting to feel himself out so he is learning when and when not to use power and when to use his speed.”
Banogu will hope to feature strongly for the Colts when they face the Tennessee Titans at the LP Field on the morning of Friday 13 November 2020, a game you can catch live on ESPN 2.
Visitwww.dstvafrica.com andwww.gotvafrica.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream the action onDStv.
See Ben Banogu in the following match live on ESPN:
Friday 13 November
03:20: NFL, Tennessee Titans v Indianapolis Colts
