NFF National Scholar-Athletes
DE – Benedict College (SC)
3.96 GPA – Psychology
Head Coach: Chennis Berry | Athletics Director: Willie Washington
Faculty Athletics Representative: Melvin Miller
Recipient of the General Robert R. Neyland Scholar-Athlete Award,
Endowed by The Haslam Family Foundation
The definition of a leader on and off the field, Loobert Denelus has established himself among the best defenders in Division II while earning a 3.96 GPA in classroom at Benedict College. The Naples, Florida, native now becomes the first-ever NFF National Scholar-Athlete in Tiger history.
Majoring in psychology and on pace to graduate in May, Denelus has produced a near flawless academic record, earning him the distinction as the first player in school history to garner CSC First Team Academic All-America honors. He also claimed the NCAA Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award in 2022, and his accomplishments landed him on the SAIC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team.
A two-year team captain and the first player in school history to be named a First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, Denelus was also named an HBCU All-American by BOXTOROW in 2022. The 2022 SIAC Defensive Player of the Year, Denelus was the heart and soul of a Tiger defense that led Division II in fourth-down conversion percentage (.130) and ranked third in third-down conversion defense (.248) last season. The contributions of the 6-foot, 255-pounder played a major role in the Tigers’ perfect 11-0 regular season en route to a SIAC title, berth in the Division II Playoffs, and a final No. 12 ranking in 2022.
In his first two seasons, Denelus totaled 92 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, five fumbles recovered and one blocked kick. His 2022 totals led the SIAC in numerous categories, including tackles for loss (22), sacks (14), forced fumbles (3) and fumbles recovered (4). The totals also ranked him nationally at No. 4 for sacks and sixth for tackles for loss. This year he has amassed 32 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and one forced fumble through the first eight games, ranking him second in sacks per game and fifth in tackles for loss per game this year in Division II, and he is the key figure in the Benedict defense that ranks first in total defense; second in scoring defense; second in tackles for loss; and fourth in sacks. Denelus played his freshman season at Southeastern University in Florida.
Denelus has volunteered numerous hours, including as a mental health aid, visiting elementary schools, participating in food drives, and assisting with clean-up projects in the community.
(All Stats of Oct. 25, 2023)
