Malik Benson opens up on why he fell in love with Florida State after entering portal

Florida State continues to load up in the transfer portal, and former Alabama receiver Malik Benson is one of its biggest additions. Benson decided to leave Tuscaloosa after just one season following the retirement of coach Nick Saban and committed to the Seminoles shortly after.

The receiver was one of the highest rated JUCO prospects in 2023 out of Hutchinson (KS) Community College, and had many programs after his services before committing to the Crimson Tide. That included Florida State, so he was already familiar with Mike Norvell and receivers coach Ron Dugans.

That put the Seminoles on his list of potential destinations when he transferred a second time, and everything fell into place once he visited Tallahassee.

“When I was coming out of JUCO, I had a good relationship with coach Dugans and coach Norvell,” Benson explained. “So whenever I jumped into the portal, I knew that Florida State was going to be a school that I wanted to go to. Then we had to lock in the visit. When I came down here, it checked all the boxes and I just fell in love with it.”

Benson was a standout in junior college, breaking the Hutchinson’s record for career receiving yards (2,152) to go along with 21 touchdowns. However, he wasn’t as much of a featured piece of the offense this past season at Alabama.

Benson tallied 13 catches for 162 receiving yards and a touchdown in 2023. However, he is hopeful that moving to a new offense will help him be able to showcase his skillset more.

Keon Coleman found success as a transfer with the Seminoles this past season to finish with 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns. With both him and Johnny Wilson gone to the NFL, there is an opening for Benson to take over their role.

“Coach Norvell, he likes to put his playmakers in different spots on the field and he loves to give his playmakers the ball,” Benson said. “Just knowing that I have a year left, I have to maximize every opportunity that I have. Just coming and being in thise offense on the outside or inside, I think that’s gonna create the most value for me.”

Benson is set to team up with transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who had a solid season in 2023 to lead Oregon State to an 8-5 record. Together, the pair will aim to keep the offense among the most explosive in the country with FSU coming off of an undefeated regular season and ACC Championship.