FSU football lands 2nd Alabama transfer in wide receiver Malik Benson out of portal

jack williams, tallahassee democrat

Tue, Jan 9, 2024, 11:49 PM·3 min read

Another former Alabama football player has committed to Florida State out of the NCAA transfer portal.

Wide receiver Malik Benson committed to FSU on Monday, marking the sixth player to transfer into the program in 48 hours. He's the second Alabama player to make the switch joining defensive back Earl Little Jr., who committed on Saturday.

“I am fired up to have Malik joining our program," FSU head coach Mike Norvell said in a press 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 skillset 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.”

The 6-foot-1-inch, 195-pound junior played in all 14 games this season, recording 162 yards receiving on 13 receptions and one touchdown, which came in a 66-10 win over Chattanooga on Nov. 18.

Before coming to Alabama, Benson was ranked as the No. 1 junior college recruit in the Class of 2023 out of Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas.

He caught 43 passes for 1,229 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games as a freshman and added 923 yards receiving and 10 more touchdowns on 54 receptions as a sophomore.

He went to Lansing High School in Lansing, Kansas, a town of 11,200 located just northwest of Kansas City. Over three years he recorded 1,119 yards receiving on 62 receptions over 24 games and 11 touchdowns.

Benson's junior college career was huge as he went from very few offers and no stars in high school to becoming a 5-star, top recruit in the country.

He is the second wide receiver FSU has picked up in the portal joining LSU freshman Jalen Brown. Benson joins a wide receiver room made up of Ja'Khi Douglas, Kentron Poitier, Deuce Spann, Darion Williamson, Joshua Burrell, Destyn Hill, Hykeem Williams, Vandrevius Jacobs, Elijah Moore, Camdon Frier, BJ Gibson, Lawyane McCoy and Brown.

In the time the portal opened and closed, FSU lost one wide receiver and two tight ends: freshman wide receiver Goldie Lawrence, tight end Preston Daniel and tight end Markeston Douglas. Wide receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, and tight end Jaheim Bell all declared for the NFL Draft.