Alabama JUCO WR commit Malik Benson earns 5th star from On3

On3 has updated its Junior College football prospect rankings for the 2023 cycle. Alabama wide receiver commit Malik Benson remains the No. 1 junior college prospect and has now added his fifth star from On3.

A standout for Hutchinson C.C. in Kansas, Benson has an argument as the top junior college receiver prospect in years. We’ve seen several receivers from the JUCO ranks make big impacts in college football and the NFL, including Tyreek Hill, Brandon Aiyuk and Michael Gallup. Given what he’s shown in two seasons at Hutchinson, Benson could be next in line.

Benson was highly-recruited, taking official visits to Oregon, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama in June prior committing to the Crimson Tide in July.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes Benson a five-star prospect for On3.

Difference-making measurables

Malik Benson is one of the most athletic pass catchers available in the 2023 cycle, among high school, junior college or even transfer portal players. He was an elite track athlete at Lansing (Kan.) High, posting a 10.44 second 100 meter mark (with several more below 10.6 seconds) as a senior in 2021. He broke Olympian Maurice Green’s meet record in the 200 meters with a 21.38 second time. Benson’s best event may be the long jump, where he posted a personal best leap of over 25 feet – an elite mark.

That complete and stellar track profile is paired with solid for the position. Benson measured around 6-feet, 185 pounds in the summer. He sports a 32.75-inch arm and 6-foot-5 wing-span, giving him length that would register over the 70th percentile among NFL wide receivers.

Most importantly, the athleticism and length transfer over to the field, where Benson looks like the top recruitable deep threat in the 2023 cycle. He blows by opposing corners with regularity. The burst and unbothered stride in the open field allow him to simply move at a different speed in what is the most competitive and talented junior college conference nationally.

Malik Benson’s elite production

Malik Benson is not an athletic projection – he’s already a dominant player at the junior college level.

Benson has wrecked opposing defenses in the Jayhawk Conference for two seasons. He blew up as a freshman, leading the nation with 1,229 receiving yards to go with 11 touchdowns. The strong production continued this fall, with Benson catching 59 passes for 977 yards and 10 scores. That’s 2,206 yards and 21 touchdowns in two seasons at Hutchinson.

That production, particularly against strong junior college competition is up there with the best we’ve seen.

Position-specific skills

Benson has proved to be more than just a deep ball threat. He’s shown the ability to threaten defenses at all areas of the field and after the catch.

While he’ll need to continue getting stronger, Benson is a physical player who is not afraid to get physical at the line of scrimmage or as a blocker. That physicality is also apparent after the catch. Benson has consistently shown good contact balance and run power with the ball in his hands, often leading to big gains and long scores.

We’ve also seen the Alabama commit utilize his length and athleticism to rise and come down with the football in contested catch situations. While there’s room to continue improving as a complete route-runner, Benson has also shown some encouraging moves in the route phase.

Malik Benson’s impact potential

As a junior college prospect with less eligibility, Malik Benson has less of a grace period to make an impact than a high school prospect. With that said, his athleticism and on-field play at the junior college level serve as strong indicators for both a high floor and high ceiling.

As is the case with any recruit or newcomer, Benson will need to adjust to the speed and rigors of high-level Power Five football, but his ability and skills provides the potential for gamebreaking impact as early as next fall.

Alabama has been looking to recapture its prior run of success at the receiver position after losing several former stars to the NFL. Based off what we’ve seen the past two seasons, Malik Benson looks to have that capability.