Alabama football has been a haven for transfer wide receivers since 2015.
Richard Mullaney started the trend, and names such as Gehrig Dieter and Jameson Williams followed him.
RELATED: Intel from Alabama football’s first spring scrimmage
Williams became a breakout star in 2021, totaling 79 catches for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was a blessing to the University of Alabama from Ohio State, turning in one of the best single-season performances in school history. Williams paced the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff National Championship Game appearance. Alabama did not have a distinct No. 1 receiver in 2022, but will another transfer become the guy in the fall?
Malik Benson, a Kansas native, told Justin Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine that he is a mixture of Williams, Henry Ruggs III, and DeVonta Smith during his recruitment. He was one of the nation’s best wide receivers coming from Hutchinson Community College, posting 97 receptions for 2,152 yards and 21 touchdowns in two seasons. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder possesses the speed, routes, hands, and competitiveness to be an instant impact player. Veteran names such as Ja’Corey Brooks and Kool-Aid McKinstry love the energy Benson has brought to practice. Nick Saban highlighted Benson as a receiver that has had a great spring. Per sources, he grabbed at least two touchdown passes in Friday’s scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
One source, in particular, kept saying ‘Benson is that dude’ several times.
Source: “It will take a top-5 cornerback nationally to even have a chance to cover him. If you are not going to play on Sundays, you are not going to cover him.”
Alabama’s entire receiver room played well, but Benson was the star of the first scrimmage.
He looks to be the go-to weapon in the fall.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
