Malik Benson ESPN’s ‘surprise’ LV offseason player

Benson (6’0”/189) is a fifth-year prospect who made stops at Hutchinson Community College, Alabama, and Florida State before joining Oregon for the 2025 season. During his time with Alabama and FSU, Benson totaled 38 receptions for 473 yards and two touchdowns, but posted a 43-719-6 line in his lone season with the Ducks. Playing primarily on the outside, Benson did most of his damage on the season against Washington and James Madison, with 221 of his yards and three of his touchdowns coming in those two games. A former high school track star, Benson is a home run threat who posted a 4.37 40-yard dash at the combine and saw five of his six scores last season come from 40-plus yards out. He hauled in 62.5 percent of his contested targets over the final two seasons and had just one drop on his resumé last season. His slender build could cause him problems against press coverage at the next level, but Benson’s explosive playmaking ability will draw the attention of coaches in camp. In addition to his ability to break off big gains through the air, Benson also returned nine punts for 161 yards and a touchdown last season and could have a chance to make an early impact as a returner.