Florida State Receiver Malik Benson Transfers To Oregon Ducks, Boosts Class Ranking

Florida State Seminoles senior wide receiver Malik Benson was granted eligibility by the NCAA for his final season in 2025-26. Benson committed to the Oregon Ducks and coach Dan Lanning. Oregon's 2025 transfer portal class ranks No. 17 in the country with seven committments.

Nov 9, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Malik Benson (10) carries against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images / Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Florida State wide receiver Malik Benson is transferring to the Oregon Ducks to play for coach Dan Lanning.

Oregon's 2025 transfer portal class ranks No. 17 in the country with seven committments.

This won't be the first time that he has transferred as Benson started his collegiate career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas before making his way to the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.

Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Malik Benson (10) runs with the ball during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images / Melina Myers-Imagn Images

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Benson was the No. 1 junior college recruit in 2023. In 23 games from 2021-23, he had 2,206 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns on 102 catches.

At Alabama, he had 13 receptions and one receiving touchdown for 162 receiving yards. With Florida State this season, Benson finished with 311 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown on 25 catches.

Nov 25, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Zion Puckett (10) closes in on Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Malik Benson (11) during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images / John Reed-Imagn Images

Since he competed at a non-NCAA school and was previously out of eligibility, Benson is using the short-term NCAA rule that was granted by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors to remain eligible for the 2025-26 season.

"Uses his explosiveness and top end to take a top off the defense and is also a threat to score on short passes. Is not just fast, but is a slippery open field runner who shows he can break tackles and has good balance. Sudden on double moves and has improved a lot in his route running craft. Adequate size and physical strength but a special athlete who has major big-play ability. Shows he can make contested catches when need be."

- Allen Trieu via 247 Sports

Coach Dan Lanning will be losing a valuable piece of the wide receiver room in senior Tez Johnson to the NFL Draft so the addition of the 6-1, 195-pound Benson could help fill that gap. Now a 22-year-old, Benson is ranked as the No. 499 best available prospect and the No. 93 best available wide receiver in On3's transfer portal rankings.

Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) runs against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half in the 2025 Rose Bowl college football quarterfinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

At this moment, Oregon's roster for next season currently has freshman Jeremiah McClellan, freshman Ryan Pellum, freshman Jack Ressler, freshman Jalen Saint Paul, freshman Jurrion Dickey, freshman Dillon Gresham, sophomore Preston Alford, sophomore Darrian Anderson, sophomore Kyler Kasper, sophomore Justius Lowe, junior Evan Stewart, and junior Gary Bryant Jr. at the wide receiver position.

Stewart has a big decision to make. Stewart, who was not able to play in the Rose Bowl vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes due to a lower back injury, could declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, choose to stay at Oregon with coach Dan Lanning or enter the transfer portal.

From the 2025 recruiting class, five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore and four-star wide receiver Cooper Perry look to make an immediate splash for the Ducks.

The other six commits for Oregon out of the portal are USC Trojans defensive lineman Bear Alexander, Louisville Cardinals tight end Jamari Johnson, Purdue Boilermakers safety Dillon Thieneman, Northwestern Wildcats cornerback Theran Johnson, Texas State Bobcats offensive tackle Alex Harkey, and Nevada Wolfpack offensive tackle Isaiah World.

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