Florida State wide receiver Malik Benson has decided to enter the transfer portal, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. This decision follows a new NCAA rule allowing junior college (JUCO) players to retain all four years of eligibility upon transitioning to the NCAA. Previously, JUCO players who played two years at the junior college level could only play two more seasons in the NCAA.
Benson, who played two seasons at Hutchinson Community College before joining Florida State, cited this rule change as part of his motivation to explore other opportunities. In his lone season with the Seminoles, Benson appeared in all 12 games, recording 25 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown.
While Benson is not required to return to a JUCO team, he now has the freedom to join any FBS program. However, it remains unclear if Florida State head coach Mike Norvell and his staff had a roster spot available for Benson in the 2025 season. Reports suggest the two sides may have discussed a potential return but failed to reach an agreement, leading to Benson’s decision to enter the portal.
FSU currently has six scholarship wide receivers eligible to return in 2025:
Hykeem Williams (junior)
Jalen Brown (redshirt sophomore)
Lawayne McCoy (sophomore)
BJ Gibson (sophomore)
Elijah Moore (redshirt freshman)
Camdon Frier (redshirt freshman)
Additionally, the Seminoles signed four wide receivers during the Early Signing Period:
Jayvan Boggs (four-star)
Tae’Shaun Gelsey (four-star)
Teriq Mallory (three-star)
Jordan Scott (three-star, JUCO transfer)
Florida State also strengthened its receiving corps by landing USC transfer wide receiver Duce Robinson and recently introduced Tim Harris Jr. as the new wide receivers coach.
With the Seminoles’ depth at the position and an influx of talent, Benson’s decision to transfer might provide him with a better opportunity for playing time elsewhere. The rule change granting JUCO players full eligibility adds a new dynamic to player movement across college football.
