The Torino Giaguari who reached the wild card playoffs in Italy’s Div. 1 in 2019, have signed Cory Benedetto to quarterback the team in 2020.
Benedetto spent much of the 2019 season as quarterback for the Ingolstadt Dukes (5-9) of the German Football League.
The 6’0″, 220 lb 25-year-old Benedetto, a native of Rochester, New York, took over a Dukes team that had lost the first four games of the season and helped them to a 5-5 record after that, including winning four of their last five games. He threw for 1,983 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 481 yards and another three touchdowns.
He started his final two years at Morrisville State (NCAA Div. III) throwing for a total of 3,813 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 773 and nine touchdowns. He attended the Aquinas Institute of Rochester high school leading them to the New York State Class A title in 2010.
Benedetto had considered a few offers from teams in Italy but finally chose Torino (Turin) for a couple of reasons he said.
“I was in contact with a few teams such as the Lazio Ducks and Bolzano Giants. I chose Torino and am really happy I did. I am very intrigued by this beautiful city.”
After graduating from Morrisville State in 2016, he took some time away from football but it was valuable time according to him:
“In 2017, I finished my bachelor’s degree in resort and recreational management and in 2018 I did disaster relief work for Hurricane Michael in Florida as well as continuing to train in case of an opportunity to play football again.”
The next natural step for Benedetto is getting his Italian passport, and according to him, he could have it this season:
“It’s in the works! I will most likely finish the procedure in Italy.”
Check out highlights from 2019
