Report: Florida State WR, former Alabama transfer Malik Benson plans to enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Florida State wide receiver and former Alabama transfer Malik Benson plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to a report from Pete Thamel.

Thamel revealed the news Monday evening on Twitter. Benson is taking advantage of the new NCAA rule allowing a set of players to remain eligible for the 2025-2026 season. They must have competed at a non-NCAA school throughout their career while also previously being out of eligibility.

“Florida State WR Malik Benson tells ESPN he plays to enter the NCAA transfer portal and take advantage of the extra year allowed to junior college players, he tells ESPN,” Thamel posted on Twitter. “@Leek_leek5 spent a year at Alabama in 2023 and two years at Hutchinson Community College prior.”

Malik Benson attended junior college prior to attending Alabama. During his one season with the Crimson Tide, Benson caught 13 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. He appeared in all 14 games, making six starts.

This past season at Florida State, Benson tied for second on the team with 25 receptions for 311 yards and a touchdown. Now he is entering the transfer portal once again to finish off his college career.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

NCAA makes major eligibility rule allowing Malik Benson to continue college career

A waiver by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors has been granted on Monday, allowing a set of players to remain eligible for the 2025-2026 season, including Malik Benson.

They must have competed at a non-NCAA school throughout their career while also previously being out of eligibility. Now, the NCAA says they can return for one more year.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is the most high-profile example of this waiver, previously being deemed eligible for another year of college football. But now, it applies to athletes across every NCAA sport.

“NEWS: The NCAA Division I Board of Directors has granted a waiver to permit athletes who attended and competed at a non-NCAA school for 1 or more years to remain eligible and compete in 2025-26 if those athletes would have otherwise used their final season of competition during the 2024-25 academic year, and meet all other eligibility requirements (e.g., progress toward degree, five-year period of eligibility),” Darren Heitner said via X.

At the same time, the NCAA has filed a notice of appeal regarding the case involving Pavia. Waivers will be handed out for this specific year but the NCAA appealing the ruling could prevent this from becoming an annual occurrence in college athletics.

“The NCAA has also filed a notice of appeal of the court’s ruling in the Diego Pavia case,” Heitner said.

Malik Benson is taking advantage of the new ruling from the NCAA.