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Benton Smith was born in Kansas City, Mo., and bounced around in the years that followed, living in Pennsylvania, Iowa and North Carolina, before moving to Lawrence in 2006. Along the way, he lived in Sanford, N.C., for a huge chunk of his life and graduated in 2002 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — an institution, he assures die-hard Kansas fans, which he attended primarily for its in-state tuition and journalism program. Shortly after moving to Lawrence, Smith began working part-time at the Journal-World, initially covering youth sports. Next, he covered Free State High athletics and area sports for the J-W, before taking on the position of sports editor for one of The World Company's weekly newspapers, The Mirror, in Tonganoxie. He worked there from 2008 to 2011, until returning to the Journal-World to lead its high school sports coverage. In 2013, Smith took on a new role with KUsports.com, as a digital editor, blogger and writer and that role changed again in 2016, when Smith was promoted to KU football beat writer.
Recent Stories
Spotlight turns to reserves at KU football's Fan Day practice
Program supporters hoping Saturday morning to get a good look at the 2017 Kansas football team had to discern what they could out of a lot of drill work and third-string repetitions during an open practice at Memorial Stadium, as part of KU’s Fan Day. By Benton Smith
'There's no way': Four KU football walk-ons surprised at Royals game with scholarships
When they got on a bus and headed to Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Mazin Aql, Beau Lawrence, Cole Moos and Reese Randall had no idea what was in store for them. By Benton Smith
LaQuvionte Gonzalez lands at NAIA program Southeastern
Former Kansas receiver LaQuvionte Gonzalez didn’t take long to find a new college football home. By Benton Smith
Kansas DE Dorance Armstrong Jr. throws first pitch at Royals game
Growing up in Houston, Dorance Armstrong spent much of his youth on the baseball diamond, which allowed him to feel right at home Friday night at Kauffman Stadium, where the Kansas defensive end threw out the ceremonial first pitch as part of the Royals’ “KU Night.” By Benton Smith
Kansas backup QBs Starks and Fallin bring different strengths to field
Barring unforeseen injuries or issues, KU will at no point in the coming months have to consider the merits of redshirt freshman Tyriek Starks or true freshman walk-on Miles Fallin as a starting quarterback. Still, both are just one unavailable QB in front of them away from moving up the depth chart. By Benton Smith
Notebook: Jayhawks practice at Chiefs' facility
When the weather forecast for Wednesday morning called for rain, the Kansas football staff decided to turn a negative into a positive and reward the Jayhawks with a new experience. By Benton Smith
'He'll make you miss': WR Steven Sims' role and production expected to expand
Among all the words offensive coordinator Doug Meacham has used since accepting his position at Kansas to describe what type of weapon junior receiver Steven Sims Jr. can become in his Air Raid system, three stand tall above the rest. Makes. You. Miss. By Benton Smith
Notebook: Tight ends and H-backs not extinct in KU's Air Raid
As recently as the spring semester, the Kansas football roster only featured two tight ends: senior Ben Johnson and redshirt freshman Ryan Renick. While it seemed an indicator of the need, or lack there of, for tight ends in the Jayhawks’ Air Raid offense, head coach David Beaty disclosed earlier this week his pleasure with the team’s ability to add a number of tight ends and H-backs. By Benton Smith
2007 Kansas football team to be honored at Sept. 2 season-opener
Talib, Collins, Mangino to join KU's hall of fame
Nearly 10 years after the 2007 Kansas football team became the winningest in program history, members of the squad, who went on to lead the Jayhawks to an Orange Bowl championship, will see their names become permanent fixtures at the university. By Benton Smith
Camp notebook: Meacham doesn't mind observing lengthy QB competition
While observing the ongoing quarterback competition between junior transfer Peyton Bender and redshirt sophomore Carter Stanley, Kansas offensive coordinator Doug Meacham has gone on record saying he doesn’t care if the Jayhawks wait until kickoff of the Sept. 2 opener to announce a starter. Meacham had no update on the timetable while speaking with media Monday, but said the lengthy battle has benefited both Bender and Stanley. By Benton Smith
