RUSTON — Tre Benson isn’t thinking about next year or what the future may bring, either on the football field or off of it.
He’s simply living for right now, the next game, the next opportunity to play with his brothers and help his team win.
The former Catholic High of Baton Rouge star, born Lloyd Benson III, is a senior running back and returner for the United States Military Academy at West Point, commonly known as Army.
Benson and his teammates are in the middle of a two-game stretch against opponents from his home state. The Black Knights traveled to Ruston this past weekend, losing to Louisiana Tech 31-29 to fall to 2-2 on the season, before returning back to New York to face Tulane this Saturday at 11 a.m. on CBS Sports Network.
The trip to Ruston was Benson’s third back for a game in Louisiana with Army as the Black Knights faced Louisiana Tech in the 2024 Independence Bowl and played at Tulane last season.
“It’s a great feeling and opportunity to play in front of the people I love,” said Benson, who estimated that about 15 family members and friends made the nearly four-hour trip up from Baton Rouge to Ruston for the game.
Saturday’s game was the first of those three where Benson was able to get on the field and record any stats, as he returned two punts and also played on kickoff return. On the season, he is averaging 10.8 yards on six punt returns.
Benson, who is also a reserve running back and rushed four times for 36 yards in Army’s season-opening win over Bryant, said he is simply trying to help his team no matter the role he’s asked to fulfill.
“I really just try to execute the fundamentals and my assignment, just trying to get the offense the best field position for my team, and if I can make a big play then make a big play, too,” Benson said. “Whatever is needed of me, I just try to make the team win and be successful.”
Army head coach Jeff Monken said Benson is “very good” as a punt returner, but his impact goes well beyond what can be seen in a box score.
“He’s a wonderful kid – very humble, very hard-working, beloved by his teammates, unselfish,” Monken said. “He really just, I think, embodies all the characters and the qualities that we want in the guys on our team. (He’s) very professional. I was really glad he got to come back home.”
Benson is one of two former Louisiana prep stars on this year’s Army roster along with junior linebacker and former Franklinton star Khaled Waliagha, who also made the travel roster to Ruston.
Monken has been the Black Knights’ coach for the past 13 years, and he is not shy about recruiting players from Louisiana. Roughly 20 Louisiana players have suited up for Army during the Monken era, including nearly a half dozen from Catholic High.
Former Bears offensive lineman Connor Finucane had the most successful career during that tenure, starting 49 career games for the Black Knights and serving as a team captain, while former Catholic tight end Chris Cameron played in 30 career games for Army.
“We’ve had and have some guys from Louisiana in our program,” Monken said. “It’s nice for guys like that, when we do travel on the road and go back to their home states, I know it makes them particularly proud.”
Pride is something Benson touted about playing for the Black Knights and representing his country.
“It means stewardship of taking care of America’s sons and daughters and having that commitment to uphold the Constitution,” Benson said about what wearing an Army uniform means to him. “We’re fighting the biggest battle there is in the nation’s national security, so I have a lot of honor in that. I wear it with pride, and wear it with my brothers, too. And that’s what matters most.”
Former Catholic-BR all-state standout Lloyd “Tre” Benson III gets ready to return a kickoff against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo: Bret H. McCormick, One T Photography)
Because of the NCAA’s recent changes in eligibility guidelines to allow five years of competition for collegiate athletes, Benson has one more year that he can play college football. He could finish his career at Army or seek to enter the transfer portal, though that wouldn’t cancel his commitment to five years of active-duty service following graduation.
For now, Benson isn’t worried about that. He said he just wants to focus on this season, trying to help lead the Black Knights to as many wins as possible.
“As a senior, you just try to be that voice and leadership for the underclassmen and your peers,” Benson said. “You try to be that motivation with your voice or with your work ethic, and that’s what I try to bring to the team. No matter my role or what they ask me to do, I’m always willing to put myself in position to help the team succeed.”
While his main focus is with the Black Knights, Benson hasn’t lost sight of his roots and passed along some advice to the current crop of Bears from what he has learned at West Point.
“Endure hardships and never give up,” Benson said. “That’s our mentality. We don’t forfeit if stuff’s not going our way. Just keep going.”
