Mikhail Benner, Northern Colorado S: the 2026 season story
Mikhail Benner is a sophomore defensive back for Northern Colorado (Big Sky). He ranks 1635th of 1,841 defensive backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every defensive back on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked defensive back, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Mikhail Benner's strongest measure is interceptions per game at 0.06, 397th of 921 (the average is 0.08). His weakest is yards per catch on his record at 26.0, 921st of 921 (the average is 11.6).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His tackles per game, 2.9, ranks 606th among 921 ranked defensive backs.
Against every defensive back
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked defensive backs he sits, on average, in the 34th percentile for volume, 12th for efficiency and 37th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 10 games, Mikhail Benner's best came in week 4 against Utah Tech and his quietest in week 1 against Weber State.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every defensive back on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Mikhail Benner is 780th of 920 FCS defensive backs and 83rd of 91 in the Big Sky. Next up nationally is Tre' McLeod of The Citadel, 0.00 ahead on the index.
Defensive backs like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Kaleb Lyons of Eastern Illinois.
