Florida State WR To Take Advantage Of New JUCO Eligibility Rule, Enters Portal

Florida State wide receiver Malik Benson was one of the Seminoles' top targets in 2024.

Sep 14, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Malik Benson (10) looks on during a game against the Memphis Tigers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images / Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Florida State wide receiver Malik Benson has elected to enter the transfer portal, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Earlier this month, it was announced that junior college (JUCO) players could retain all four years of eligibility upon their arrival to the NCAA. Previously, if a player participated in two years of junior college, he could only play two seasons at the NCAA level.

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Benson cites this rule change as part of his reasoning for entering the portal, having played two seasons at Hutchinson Community College.

During his lone season in the Garnet and Gold, Benson appeared in all 12 games and recorded 25 catches for 311 yards and a touchdown.

The FSU pass catcher does not have to return to a JUCO squad and can play for any FBS program he desires, including extending his time in Tallahassee. However, it is possible that due to the sudden rule change, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell and his staff did not have a spot allocated for Benson for the 2025 season. It is also possible that the two parties discussed a reunion for the upcoming season but couldn’t come to terms, prompting Benson to launch his name into the portal.

FSU has six scholarship wide receivers eligible to return in 2025; junior Hykeem Williams, redshirt sophomore Jalen Brown, sophomore Lawayne McCoy, sophomore BJ Gibson, redshirt freshman Elijah Moore, and redshirt freshman Camdon Frier.

The Seminoles signed four wide receivers during the Early Signing Period; four-star Jayvan Boggs, four-star Tae'Shaun Gelsey, three-star Teriq Mallory, and three-star JUCO Jordan Scott. They also recently landed USC wide receiver transfer Duce Robinson.

Earlier in December, the program officially announced the addition of new wide receivers coach Tim Harris Jr.

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