Malik Benson has made his mark in the college football world in the last few years as a wide receiver. A former JUCO prospect, Benson showed some promising performance at Alabama before entering the NCAA Transfer Portal after the season: 13 receptions for 162 yards at 12.5 yards per catch, scoring 1 touchdown, with his longest catch at 33 yards. Though the WR had no carries or rushing yards this season, he did not fumble either. 

According to FSU head coach Mike Norvell, Benson — who suffered a left leg injury during FSU’s Spring Showcase — is recovering steadily and will be ready to play for the Seminoles this fall. As Benson prepares to play his last year of eligibility at Florida State, here’s what you need to know about the WR’s family.

Benson has been a smart player throughout

Born to Michael and Cassandra Benson, Malik Benson was raised in Lansing, Kansas. The 6′ 1″, 190 lbs wide receiver graduated from Lansing High School. While little information about his parents is available, the Bensons initially supported their son’s football career. Benson went to Hutchinson Community College, where he was named one of the nation’s top junior college prospects.

At Hutchinson, he made history by setting the school record for receiving yards with 2,152. Not only that, the talented WR was also projected as a five-star recruit by On3.com and a four-star by the remaining recruiting services. Before Benson committed to Alabama and trained under the legendary coach Nick Saban for a year, he was also unanimously ranked as the top junior college player in the country.

Trained on the gridiron by his high school coach, Dylan Brown, and later Drew Dallas at Hutchinson, the standout multi-athlete covered the 100-meter dash in just 10.4s in high school. Benson is equally excellent at the 200-meter dash and long jump. Benson uses his agility to his advantage, topping off the defense and turning quick passes into significant goals or even touchdowns while quickly evading the tacklers. With a sturdy physical frame and strength, Malik Benson can be a playmaker at Florida State Seminoles’ leading receiver group.

Malik has been feeling confident at FSU

In a post-match interview on Saturday, Malik seemed confident about his chemistry with the other receivers on the team. “I feel like I was very confident [in the spring], I took the time that we had to do in the receiving room and learned it. I took my own time and I got with guys like Ja’Khi and Tron who have been in the system for quite a while to help better my knowledge,” Benson said. “When I first came in, it was a little hard just because it’s brand new but, some things like that you just have to work to get better at it.”

When the interviewer asked Malik who he thought was the fastest on the team, he smiled and replied, “I like to say I am.”