About Christopher
Hi, I'm Chris Behnam, a Class of 2028 OLB who competes for Santa Margarita Catholic HS in Orange County, Calif. My coaches would say my best attributes are my ability to anticipate what runs and routes an offense is running. I'm not tall, but I'm strong, physical, quick and coachable, and RBs have a tough time getting past me because of my ability to change direction. At SM, I compete against the best players in Southern California. I'm also a 3.77 student at a top-40-in-the-nation college prep school, so I'm ready to compete on and off the field.
“Football and taekwondo taught me discipline and perseverance from a young age, and my father reinforced that every step of the way. My love for the game pushes me to meet my goals and keeps me working to become faster and stronger. More than anything, I want to keep growing into the best version of myself, on and off the field.
What I love most about football is the brotherhood and the memories you make along the way, whether it's practice, conditioning, lifting, or communicating with my brothers on the field during a game. Those moments are what keep me coming back and working harder every day.
My ultimate goal is to make it to the NFL, but right now my focus is earning a D1 opportunity. I want to be part of a program that will develop me for the next level, with coaches who genuinely care about where their players end up after football. I want to be pushed hard, not just for the program's benefit, but for mine.
Academically, I plan to graduate with a full degree. Football is important to me, but so is setting myself up for life after the game.
Off the field, I work a part-time job and coach kids flag football on the weekends. Being around younger players and giving back to the game means a lot to me.
What a coach gets by investing in me is a hard-working, coachable player who handles his business and doesn't have to be worried about. I take care of what I'm supposed to take care of, and I come ready to work every day.”
