Highly touted Clemson tight end signee Christian Bentancur had a blast at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio earlier this month.
Participating in the prestigious high school all-star game, featuring 100 of the nation’s top senior football players, is an experience that Bentancur will never forget.
“The All-American Bowl was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he told The Clemson Insider, “and I’m so glad and blessed I got out there and competed!”
Bentancur – a consensus four-star and top-125 national prospect according to the major recruiting services – was joined at the All-American Bowl by a few other members of Clemson’s 2024 signing class in wide receiver TJ Moore, defensive lineman Hevin Brown-Shuler and linebacker Sammy Brown.
Bentancur feels his bond with those future Tiger teammates grew stronger during the week leading up to the All-American Bowl contest inside the Alamodome on Jan. 6.
“I for sure got closer with all the Clemson guys,” Bentancur said, “because I spent every day with them and did all these fun activities with them!”
Bentancur was impressed by Moore’s performance after seeing the four-star receiver put on a show with a bevy of catches, including a couple of touchdown grabs and a highlight-reel one-handed snag.
“TJ balled out,” Bentancur said, “and I can’t wait to be on the same side as him and the rest of the ’24 class!”
The All-American Bowl was broadcast live on NBC, and Bentancur believes that opportunity to play on national TV against elite competition gave him an initial taste of what it will be like to compete on big stages with Clemson.
“It was crazy being the first time on TV,” he said, “and playing against top competition really helped prepare me for Clemson!”
The All-American Bowl isn’t the only all-star game that Bentancur was selected to. He is also set to play in the 2024 Polynesian Bowl tonight at Kūnuiākea Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. It will be televised on NFL Network at 9 p.m. ET.
The lone tight end signee in the Tigers’ 2024 class, Bentancur signed with Dabo Swinney’s program in December and will enroll at Clemson this summer.
Bentancur finished his career at Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock, Illinois) with 231 receptions for 3,867 yards and 51 touchdowns. He finished in the top five in Illinois high school history in receiving yards (second), receiving touchdowns (third) and receptions (fifth).
–Photo courtesy of Christian Bentancur on X (@cbentancur18)