Florida State football's offense will have a new look going into the 2024 season, featuring several transfer portal additions.
One of those will be Alabama wide receiver transfer Malik Benson .
Before spending his lone season with the Crimson Tide last year, Benson was one of the nation's top wide receivers at the junior college level at Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College. In two seasons there, he showed off his explosiveness and speed, racking up 102 catches for 2,206 yards and 21 touchdowns.
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Though he played in 14 games for Alabama in 2023, he did not have near the impact as he did in junior college, catching only one touchdown on season. With the Seminoles, Benson will hope to see an increased role alongside quarterback and fellow transfer DJ Uiagalelei.
Benson will use his final year of eligibility to play for the Seminoles in 2024, in hopes of helping lead FSU to the expanded College Football Playoff after the Seminoles missed out last season.
Here's what you need to know of Benson's transfer from Alabama to FSU over the offseason:
Why did Malik Benson transfer from Alabama to FSU?
Benson entered the transfer portal on Jan. 3, two days after Alabama's overtime loss to Michigan in the CFP Rose Bowl semifinal.
He committed to FSU four days later on Jan. 8, joining Alabama teammate defensive back Earl Little Jr. in going from Tuscaloosa to Tallahassee this past offseason.
“I am fired up to have Malik joining our program," coach Mike Norvell said in a January news release . "He’s an explosive playmaker who brings elite-level speed and quickness to the receiver position. Malik was one of the top players in the country coming out of junior college and he showcased a tremendous skill set as a starter for a Power 5 conference champion.
"His attributes on film will be showcased at a high level here with our offense as he is primed to take the next step in his career here at Florida State.”
Benson said in his first media availability in Tallahassee that Nick Saban's retirement threw him a bit off guard. However, he mentioned that his retirement was not a factor in his decision to transfer ( Saban retired on Jan. 10 , a week after Benson entered the portal and two days after he committed to the Seminoles).
"I am definitely grateful for Coach Saban for giving me the opportunity to be able to play for him," Benson said. "I actually did not think that he was going to retire. But he's a great coach and he definitely gave me some gems that I can forever use, not just in football, but in life. I am really thankful for him."
In terms of what drew him to FSU, Benson mentioned relationships with receivers coach Ron Dugans and Norvell.
"When I was coming out of JUCO, I had a good relationship with Coach Dugans and Coach Norvell so when I ended up hitting the portal, I knew Florida State was going to be a school that I was going to want to go to," Benson said. "Then when I came down here, it checked all the boxes and I just fell in love with it and that's why I picked it."
He added: "Coach Norvell likes to put his playmakers in different spots on the field and loves giving his playmakers the ball as well, so knowing that I have a year left I have to maximize every opportunity that I have."
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Malik Benson stats
Benson finished with 162 receiving yards on 13 receptions in his lone season at Alabama in 2023. He caught his first and only touchdown of the season in Week 12 against Chattanooga, on a 20-yard pass from Jalen Milroe.
Here's a full breakdown of Benson's stats at Alabama last season:
- Games played: 14
- Receptions: 13
- Receiving yards: 162
- Touchdowns: One
Malik Benson 247Sports rankings
As a transfer, Benson was ranked a four-star recruit and the No. 78 nationally ranked player in the NCAA transfer portal, per his 247Sports Composite profile . He was also listed as the No. 16 ranked wide receiver in the transfer portal by 247Sports.
He was also listed as a four-star recruit and No. 1 nationally ranked player and wide receiver on 247Sports' JUCO rankings after his two seasons at Hutchinson Community College.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Why did Malik Benson transfer to Florida State? Alabama WR joined Seminoles over offseason
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