Meet Iowa State WR-turned-DB Beni Ngoyi, who made an absolutely preposterous interception in season opener

Meet Iowa State WR-turned-DB Beni Ngoyi, who made an absolutely preposterous interception in season opener originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It may only be Week 1 in college football, but we have ourselves an early interception of the year candidate that will be almost impossible to top.

During Saturday's game between Iowa State and Southeast Missouri, Cyclones defensive back Beni Ngoyi had a jaw-dropping one-handed interception off Braylen Ragland.

Iowa State cruised to a 38-10 victory, but it was one of the best plays of the day for the Cyclones on defense.

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Beni Ngoyi interception

The interception game towards the end of the second quarter. On the play, Ngoyi followed Ragland's eyes the whole way on the throw, and made a leaping attempt at the pass with one hand. Incredibly, he comes down with it, snagging the ball with one hand in true Odell Beckham Jr. fashion:

An early candidate for the interception of the year 😳
(Via ESPN) pic.twitter.com/FwKYVf3iTK

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 5, 2026

The sensational grab gave Iowa State the ball back on Iowa State's 45 yard line, and the offense needed just three plays to score, which gave them a 28-7 lead.

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Who is Beni Ngoyi?

Ngoyi is a junior defensive back at Iowa State, from Lincoln, Nebraska. Perhaps the most impressive—or least surprising thing about Ngoyi—is that he converted from wide receiver to defensive back last season. He finished with one tackle and one pass defended, but appeared to be finding his place on defense before this season.

“The biggest thing with Beni is he’s starting to become more consistent on a daily basis,” Iowa State cornerback coach Mike Banks said of Ngoyi in August. “From a technique standpoint, from a communication standpoint, he’s in the right spots all the time now. That was (his) biggest hurdle.” mike banks isu CB coach

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Why did Beni Ngoyi switch from WR to DB?

Although Ngoyi planned to play receiver for the Cyclones. He took a redshirt in 2023, and had just two receptions for 27 yards in 2024. Ahead of the 2025 season, he made the switch to defensive back.

Where is Beni Ngoyi from?

As a recruit, Ngoyi was rated by the 247Sports Composite as a three-star receiver prospect out of Lincoln (Neb.) High School. He held offers from several schools, including his hometown school Nebraska, as well as Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota and Pitt.

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