With two of Oregon’s starting receivers graduating and a third potentially entering the NFL Draft, the Ducks have focused on bolstering their wide receiver group through the transfer portal. This week, Oregon secured a verbal commitment from Malik Benson, a Power 4 starting receiver, following his official visit to Eugene.
Benson, formerly with Florida State, chose Oregon over interest from Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Kansas State. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the news. Standing 6-foot-1, Benson caught 25 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown this past season at Florida State.
In 2023, he played at Alabama, recording 13 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown. His limited production at Florida State is believed to have been affected by poor quarterback play during the Seminoles’ disappointing season. At Oregon, Benson is expected to thrive with stronger talent surrounding him.
Before transferring to the FBS level, Benson was the top-ranked junior college prospect in 2023. As a freshman at Hutchinson Community College, he earned first-team NJCAA DI All-America honors after amassing 1,229 yards and 11 touchdowns on 43 receptions. Benson followed that with 923 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, breaking the Hutchinson C.C. record for career receiving yards with 2,152. He originally signed with Alabama over schools like Oregon, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee.
Benson entered the transfer portal on December 23rd after the NCAA granted a waiver for student-athletes with experience at non-NCAA schools to retain eligibility for the 2025-26 season. He is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining.
At Oregon, Benson will join a receiver corps adjusting to significant turnover. Seniors Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden are graduating, and Evan Stewart may declare for the NFL Draft. Junior Gary Bryant Jr., a 2023 starter, has one year of eligibility remaining and is expected to play a pivotal role alongside Benson.
