Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Kahlil Benson is an American football offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 20, 2002, he grew up in Southaven, Mississippi, and played college football at Indiana University and the University of Colorado before beginning his professional career in 2026.
Beyond his football career, Kahlil Benson comes from a close-knit family led by his mother, LaTonya Benson, who has been one of his strongest supporters throughout his athletic journey. He also has three younger siblings and a grandmother who helped shape his upbringing.
Benson is currently in a relationship with Jayda, an artist and Indiana University graduate. On October 10, 2026, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child in 2027.
Here is everything publicly known about Kahlil Benson’s girlfriend, children, parents, siblings and family background.
Kahlil Benson’s Girlfriend: Jayda
Jayda is Kahlil Benson’s girlfriend and the mother of his expected first child. The Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle publicly confirmed their relationship when the couple announced their pregnancy in October 2026.
Although Benson has generally maintained privacy regarding his romantic life, the announcement provided fans with a glimpse into his relationship.
Jayda is an artist, tattooist and graduate of Indiana University, where Benson spent most of his college football career.
The couple have not publicly disclosed the exact date when they began dating.
Who Is Kahlil Benson’s Girlfriend Jayda?
Jayda is an American artist and tattoo designer who attended Indiana University.
She maintains a social media presence under the Instagram username @thejaydag, where she shares aspects of her personal life and creative interests.
Jayda also operates a separate art account, @thewaydaawayy, featuring drawings, paintings and tattoo designs.
Her artistic work includes custom illustrations, canvas paintings and tattoo portfolios.
Although Jayda and Benson have a shared connection to Indiana University, reliable public reporting has not established exactly when or how they first met.
The couple generally kept their relationship away from major media attention before announcing their pregnancy.
Kahlil Benson and Jayda’s Pregnancy Announcement
On October 10, 2026, Kahlil Benson and Jayda announced that they were expecting their first child.
The announcement came during the Kansas City Chiefs’ bye week, shortly after Benson had established himself as the team’s starting left tackle.
Benson shared a collection of photographs on Instagram featuring himself and Jayda celebrating the pregnancy.
The photographs included a positive pregnancy test and ultrasound images.
The couple accompanied the announcement with the caption “Love yours. 2027,” indicating that their baby was expected to arrive in 2027.
The post attracted congratulatory messages from several Kansas City Chiefs players and other professional athletes.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was among the first teammates to congratulate the couple.
Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson also expressed his happiness about the announcement.
Other athletes, including former Notre Dame running back Logan Diggs and Indiana offensive lineman Zen Michalski, shared supportive messages.
The announcement marked an important personal milestone for Benson during his first NFL season.
Is Kahlil Benson Married?
As of now, Kahlil Benson has no publicly confirmed wife.
His relationship with Jayda is publicly documented, but the couple have not announced a marriage.
There is also no verified public information establishing that they are engaged.
Therefore, Jayda is most accurately described as Benson’s girlfriend rather than his wife or fiancée.
Kahlil Benson’s Children
As of now, Kahlil Benson has no publicly confirmed children who have already been born, but he is expecting his first child with his girlfriend, Jayda.
The couple announced the pregnancy on October 10, 2026, through social media photographs featuring an ultrasound and a positive pregnancy test.
Their announcement indicated that the baby was expected in 2027.
However, Benson and Jayda did not publicly disclose the baby’s sex, intended name or exact due date.
The announcement came during a particularly successful period in Benson’s professional football career.
Only days earlier, the NFL had named him its Offensive Rookie of the Month for September 2026.
His transition from an undrafted college football player to an NFL starter therefore coincided with preparations for fatherhood.
As of now, the pregnancy remains the couple’s only publicly confirmed announcement concerning children.
Kahlil Benson’s Parents
Kahlil Benson was raised by his mother, LaTonya Benson, who has played a central role in his upbringing and football development.
LaTonya is publicly identified in official Indiana University athletics records and has participated in several interviews about her son’s career.
However, the identity of Kahlil Benson’s biological father has not been reliably established in major sports publications.
LaTonya Benson – Mother
LaTonya Benson is Kahlil Benson’s mother and one of the most influential people in his life.
She raised Kahlil and his three younger siblings while emphasizing education, faith, community involvement and personal responsibility.
LaTonya has a background in athletics and participated in sports during her school and college years.
Her experiences as an athlete helped her understand the importance of family encouragement during competitions.
In a January 2026 interview with Indiana Public Media, LaTonya explained that her own mother had experienced health problems and could not attend many of her college sporting events.
Her father was able to attend, but she remembered wishing that both parents could watch her compete.
Those childhood experiences influenced her determination to support Kahlil throughout his football career.
According to LaTonya, she has attended every one of her son’s football games since he began playing at approximately six years old.
Her commitment continued through his time at Southaven High School, Indiana University and the University of Colorado.
LaTonya Benson’s Move to Indiana
When Kahlil began his college football career at Indiana University, LaTonya eventually relocated to Bloomington to remain close to him.
She moved to Indiana with her younger children and established herself professionally in the local community.
According to Indiana Public Media, LaTonya became the unit director at the Ferguson Crestmont Boys and Girls Club in Bloomington.
Her work focused on helping children develop academically, socially and personally.
After taking the position, she introduced initiatives designed to strengthen relationships between staff members, parents and children.
She also organized meetings and activities to encourage greater family participation.
Her leadership helped improve attendance and participation at the center.
According to the January 2026 report, daily attendance increased from approximately 40–60 children to 90–120 children.
LaTonya also received recognition and appreciation from families in the community.
LaTonya Benson’s Support During Kahlil’s Football Career
LaTonya remained closely involved in Kahlil’s development throughout his college football journey.
When he transferred from Indiana to Colorado for the 2024 season, she continued traveling to support him.
She also maintained a positive relationship with Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.
After Kahlil returned to Indiana for the 2025 season, LaTonya celebrated his progress and encouraged him to remain confident.
In December 2025, she shared an emotional message on social media after Indiana won the Big Ten championship.
Deion Sanders publicly responded with a supportive message, demonstrating the continued relationship between the Benson family and his former coaching staff.
LaTonya subsequently traveled to Miami to attend the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in January 2026.
Indiana defeated Miami 27-21, completing an undefeated season and winning the national championship.
The achievement represented an important milestone for Benson and his family.
LaTonya Benson’s Advice About Patrick Mahomes
LaTonya continued supporting her son after he entered the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
During an October 2026 appearance on the “Chief Concerns” podcast, she discussed the advice she gave Kahlil about protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
She encouraged him to approach his responsibilities on the offensive line with the same determination he would demonstrate when protecting members of his own family.
LaTonya explained that her son takes family responsibilities seriously and should apply that mindset to his football career.
She also discussed how Mahomes and Travis Kelce helped Kahlil develop confidence during his first NFL season.
Despite his success, LaTonya continues offering her son football advice, including observations about his blocking technique and positioning.
Her involvement demonstrates how closely she continues following his professional development.
Who Is Kahlil Benson’s Father?
The identity of Kahlil Benson’s biological father has not been reliably confirmed through publicly available official records.
Indiana University and the University of Colorado identify LaTonya Benson as his mother but do not establish his father’s name.
Major interviews about Kahlil’s childhood and football development have also focused primarily on his mother and grandmother.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to identify a particular individual as his father without reliable supporting evidence.
LaTonya has publicly discussed raising her children as a single mother, but detailed information about Kahlil’s relationship with his father remains private.
Kahlil Benson’s Siblings
Kahlil Benson has three younger siblings, according to a January 2026 report by Indiana Public Media.
The report identified LaTonya Benson as the mother of four children, with Kahlil being her eldest son.
His younger siblings also relocated to Bloomington when LaTonya moved to Indiana.
Although some secondary publications mention two younger sisters, Indiana Public Media’s firsthand reporting confirms three younger children in the household.
Their individual names and complete biographical details have not been reliably established in major public sources.
Kahlil Benson’s Younger Siblings
Kahlil Benson’s younger siblings grew up in a household that emphasized education, faith and community service.
During their time in Bloomington, they participated in activities at the Ferguson Crestmont Boys and Girls Club, where their mother worked.
The children also supported their older brother’s football career.
In January 2026, Indiana Public Media published a family photograph showing LaTonya and her three younger children attending the Rose Bowl to support Kahlil.
The photograph demonstrated the family’s involvement in his college football achievements.
However, the names, individual interests and future plans of his younger siblings have not been sufficiently documented through reliable public reporting.
Because they are private individuals, particularly those who are still minors, their personal details should not be inferred or invented.
Does Kahlil Benson Have a Brother?
The gender and identities of all three younger siblings have not been consistently established through reliable primary reporting.
Although Kahlil is confirmed to have three younger siblings, there is insufficient verified information to identify a brother by name.
Does Kahlil Benson Have a Sister?
Secondary family profiles have reported that Benson has younger sisters.
However, the publicly verified January 2026 family reporting does not provide a complete named list of his siblings.
Therefore, the precise number of sisters cannot be independently confirmed from the available primary sources.
Kahlil Benson’s Grandmother
Kahlil Benson’s grandmother has also played an important role in his upbringing.
In interviews about his childhood and community involvement, Benson has acknowledged the values taught by his mother and grandmother.
He has credited both women with encouraging kindness, perseverance and a willingness to help people facing difficulties.
These lessons influenced his participation in community service activities.
During his time at Indiana, Benson discussed how his family encouraged him to remain positive during setbacks.
His mother and grandmother also supported him during his recovery from a knee injury that affected the beginning of his college football career.
However, his grandmother’s full name and detailed personal history have not been consistently established in reliable public reporting.
Kahlil Benson’s Childhood and Family Background
Kahlil Benson grew up in Southaven, Mississippi, near Memphis, Tennessee.
He began playing football at approximately six years old and developed an interest in competitive athletics.
His mother regularly attended practices and games, encouraging him to continue improving.
Benson eventually attended Southaven High School, where he became a standout offensive lineman.
During his high school career, he earned first-team all-state recognition and served as a team captain.
He also participated in track and field, competing in the shot put.
His performances attracted recruiting attention from several college football programs.
Outside athletics, Benson participated in community activities, including volunteering at a school serving students with special needs.
He also served as a student ambassador and junior deacon.
These activities reflected the importance his family placed on education, faith and helping others.
Kahlil Benson’s College Football Career
Kahlil Benson began his college football career at Indiana University in 2020.
However, a knee injury during fall camp prevented him from participating during his freshman season.
He also did not appear in games during the 2021 season.
In 2022, Benson made his collegiate debut and gradually earned playing time along Indiana’s offensive line.
He made his first college start against Rutgers in October 2022.
During the 2023 season, he continued developing as an offensive lineman before entering the transfer portal.
Benson joined the University of Colorado for the 2024 season, playing under head coach Deion Sanders.
After spending one season with the Buffaloes, he returned to Indiana for his final college football season in 2025.
He became an important member of the Hoosiers’ offensive line, contributing to a historic undefeated season.
Indiana won the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 19, 2026, defeating Miami 27-21.
Benson subsequently completed his college career and began preparing for the NFL Draft.
Kahlil Benson’s Journey to the Kansas City Chiefs
Kahlil Benson entered the 2026 NFL Draft after completing his college football career.
Although he was not selected, the Kansas City Chiefs invited him to participate in rookie minicamp as a tryout player.
He impressed the coaching staff and subsequently signed with the organization as an undrafted free agent.
During training camp, Benson competed for opportunities at offensive tackle and guard.
His performance earned positive reviews from Kansas City coaches and teammates.
When expected starting left tackle Josh Simmons suffered an injury, Benson received an opportunity to start.
He made his NFL regular-season debut against the Denver Broncos on September 14, 2026.
Despite limited previous experience at left tackle, he performed well enough to retain an important role in the Chiefs’ offense.
On October 1, 2026, the NFL named Benson its Offensive Rookie of the Month for September.
The award recognized his performances during Kansas City’s opening three games.
As of now, Benson continues representing the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive tackle, wearing jersey number 70.
Kahlil Benson’s Relationship With His Family
Family has remained one of the most important influences throughout Kahlil Benson’s life.
His mother supported him from youth football through college and his transition into professional football.
His grandmother helped teach him personal values centered on faith, resilience and community involvement.
His younger siblings have also participated in family celebrations connected to his achievements.
In interviews, Benson has acknowledged the importance of encouragement from family members during difficult periods.
His relationship with Jayda has become another important part of his personal life.
Their October 2026 pregnancy announcement marked the beginning of a new chapter as Benson prepared for fatherhood while developing his NFL career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kahlil Benson’s Family
Who is Kahlil Benson’s girlfriend?
Kahlil Benson’s girlfriend is Jayda, an artist and Indiana University graduate. The couple publicly announced in October 2026 that they were expecting their first child.
Is Kahlil Benson married?
As of now, Kahlil Benson has no publicly confirmed wife. He is in a relationship with Jayda, but they have not announced a marriage.
Does Kahlil Benson have children?
Kahlil Benson and his girlfriend, Jayda, are expecting their first child in 2027. As of now, they have not publicly announced the birth of a child.
When is Kahlil Benson’s baby due?
The couple indicated that their first child is expected in 2027. They have not publicly confirmed an exact due date.
Who is Kahlil Benson’s mother?
His mother is LaTonya Benson, a community leader who has worked as unit director at the Ferguson Crestmont Boys and Girls Club in Bloomington, Indiana.
Who is Kahlil Benson’s father?
His biological father’s identity has not been reliably established in official college athletics records or major sports publications.
How many siblings does Kahlil Benson have?
Kahlil Benson has three younger siblings, according to January 2026 reporting by Indiana Public Media.
What are the names of Kahlil Benson’s siblings?
The names of his three younger siblings have not been reliably established in publicly available primary sources.
Was Kahlil Benson raised by a single mother?
Yes. His mother, LaTonya Benson, has publicly discussed raising four children as a single mother while supporting Kahlil’s football career.
Where did Kahlil Benson grow up?
Kahlil Benson grew up in Southaven, Mississippi, where he attended Southaven High School.
Where did Kahlil Benson play college football?
He played college football at Indiana University and the University of Colorado before helping Indiana win the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship.
What NFL team does Kahlil Benson play for?
As of now, Kahlil Benson plays offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs. He joined the organization as an undrafted free agent in 2026.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
