Crimson Tide WR Malik Benson Enters Transfer Portal
Another Alabama receiver is looking for a new home.
Junior Malik Benson has entered the transfer portal on Wednesday according to multiple reports. He had 13 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown this season after transferring in from Hutchinson Community College in January.
Benson did play in the Rose Bowl on Monday, but did not have any receptions or official targets.
Last week at Rose Bowl Media Day, Benson told BamaCentral he wanted to transfer to Alabama in the first place– the opportunity to play under Nick Saban.
"Just being able to be coached by Coach Saban, that was just really what brought me," Benson said. "And then it's just a great team. It's a great developmental place, so it was not that hard of a decision to pick Alabama."
Benson was one of the highest-valued junior college prospects in the portal last offseason after racking up 2,152 yards and 21 touchdowns over two seasons at Hutchinson. However, he wasn't able to find similar success with the Crimson Tide. He did start several games at receiver, but never recorded more than three catches in a game. While the junior wasn't targeted often, he was one of the best blocking wide receivers on the team.
His lone touchdown of the season came in the 66-10 win over Chattanooga. Perhaps Benson's longest catch of the year was a 33-yard reception against Auburn that set up Alabama's first touchdown in the Iron Bowl.
Benson is one of at least eight players to enter the transfer portal since Alabama's season ended on Monday with the loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.
