This is just the beginning for Eno Benjamin

Eno Benjamin is the most elusive running back in the 2020 NFL Draft class, mark it down. It’s only a matter of time before you know that and you see that on Sundays.

What you don’t know about Benjamin and what you didn’t see on Saturdays is the amount of effort and time he spends on the field, off the field, in the weight room and in the film room. A consummate professional during his time at Arizona State, Benjamin will be taking his talents to the real professional league this weekend during the 2020 NFL Draft. And thanks to Panini, we get a chance to peel back some layers on The Chosen One and see just how he’s been putting in his work during the offseason and draft lead up.

Benjamin, like so many other athletes attempting to make the NFL leap, has had an arduous journey so far, a journey unlike any other draft class before them. He has not been able to work out with teams, meet personally with coaching staffs and front offices but rather has been forced to do his own individual workouts, trainings, a separate pro day as well as virtual FaceTime or Skype meetings with teams, only if they so choose to make those arrangements.

For Benjamin specifically, he was hoping to get the chance to showcase his receiving ability and all-around versatility for an NFL offense during his pro day as he believes he’s one of the most versatile athletes in the entire class.

With his pro day taken away due to the coronavirus pandemic, he was fortunate enough to secure a spot as one of five athletes chosen to represent Panini’s Road To The Rated Rookie docuseries, featuring his journey to the draft and beyond.

In his first installment, the highlight reel is as intense as you’d expect and the praise for Benjamin is as expected as well. For a different breed of athlete, the video speaks for itself:

It’s a rare look at some of the behind-the-scenes moments of his training as well as some more intimate details of his life and where his work ethic comes from. Benjamin’s talent speaks for itself on the field but his ethic, his mantra and his scrappy playing style hail from his time in Texas, playing Texas football.

He’ll have his chance to take that work ethic and that ability to the next level but one thing is for sure, through these untimely times we’re living in right now, Benjamin is the fortunate one to have Panini in his corner. As he said in an interview, being able to sign cards helps keep his mind clear, and being part of something that someone wants to collect, is something extra special.

I’ll tell you first, Eno, the reason we want to collect your cards is simply because YOU’RE special. And we thank you for that.