Malik Benson Impressing FSU Football's Coaching Staff With Leadership, Work Ethic
Florida State's roster was littered with veterans who made massive contributions on and off the field in 2023. Jordan Travis, Fabien Lovett, Jared Verse, Kalen DeLoach, Trey Benson, Jarrian Jones...and the list goes on. That means the Seminoles enter the spring needing to replace starters on the field and voices in the locker room.
The first phase of the offseason was all about building camaderie and team chemistry along with setting the standard that is expected at Florida State during the Tour of Duty. While Seminoles such as Patrick Payton, Shyheim Brown, DJ Lundy, Azareye'h Thomas, and Greedy Vance are taking the next steps in their developments as leaders, there are also players who recently arrived in Tallahassee that are already stepping up.
Alabama wide receiver transfer Malik Benson was one of five former members of the Crimson Tide to land at FSU in the winter. With one season of eligibility remaining, Benson hasn't wasted any time while trying to make his mark with the Seminoles. He stood out during the lone Tour of Duty workout that the program allowed the media to view on Thursday morning.
It wasn't just his athleticism and agility that were eye-opening. Despite just getting to campus in January, Benson felt comfortable enough in his new environment to act as a leader. He was constantly cheering on and imploring his teammates to keep pushing. After finishing his reps, Benson raced back to the front of the drill to provide vocal encouragement. That's a quality that has Mike Norvell fired up.
"I'll tell you, Malik Benson might be - I'm very, very excited about what I'm seeing from him because just what he's done in his transition," Norvell said on Thursday morning. "It's easy to go out there and see how fast he is and how good he moves but the embrace for his teammates, the embrace for being an encourager, I mean, it's exciting."
Benson will be competing for one of the starting jobs that is available in the wake of Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson moving on to the NFL. He's doing his part to rise to the top of a wide receivers unit that is filled with talent from top to bottom. Director of Strength & Conditioning Josh Storms has been impressed with his work ethic, noting that he's constantly in the facility or on the field toiling away at his craft.
"I mean we'll come out here because he lifts in that second lift group during the day, so if we're out here in the day, we're doing speedwork with that first group, he's already coming out here, he's on jugs machine beforehand, like that guy literally lives in the building whether it's doing extra stuff with Jackson with the sports science stuff in the weight room, out here getting extra work with the jugs, bringing other guys into that fold, like he is a rounded part of the fabric of what's going on at all times," Storms said.
It's been an adjustment period for all of the newcomers but this is certainly an encouraging return for Benson. He understands that at the end of the day, these experiences are going to be crucial when going through adversity during the 2024 season.
"It makes you realize that it's mind over matter. When your mind and your body wants to tell you to quit, you've got to just shut that all off and just gotta keep going," Benson said. "It's definitely challenging but I see why Florida State does what they do because of this conditioning program."
Benson is coming off a record-setting career at the JUCO level with Hutchinson Community College. He set the single-season record with 1,229 yards, which had stood for 51 years, and 11 touchdowns in 2021 as well as the program's overall receiving record with 2,152 yards in two years, while finishing second in receiving touchdowns (21).
The consensus No. 1 overall prospect out of junior college spent one year at Alabama. He appeared in all 14 games, with six starts, and caught 13 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown with the Crimson Tide. He totaled a season-high 33 yards on two catches in a loss to Texas.
The hope is that Benson will have a resurgence in Tallahassee while playing in an offense that fits his strength better. The picture will all start to come together as he hits the practice fields for the first time as a Seminole. Nothing is guaranteed but his seamless transition to the program and early returns as a leader give Benson a chance to be special.
READ MORE: Jordan Travis Endorses Former Five-Star Prospect After First Season With FSU Football
Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the offseason.
