Josh Heupel has loaded Tennessee football up at receiver with the Vols’ 2022 recruiting class and the addition of Bru McCoy from the transfer portal. However, he’s still looking ahead to 2023 to even add to that depth with more experience.
The Vols have now made the top five for junior college receiver Malik Benson. Coming out of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, Benson graduated from Lansing High School in Leavenworth County, Kan., before attending JuCo in Reno County.
Joining Tennessee football on Benson’s list are schools almost all in SEC country except for one. They are the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers and Oregon Ducks. He announced all of them Saturday afternoon on Twitter.
Top 5‼️ #Godawgs #GBO #GeauxTigers #RollTide #GoDucks #AGTG pic.twitter.com/Z4J3VmteeI
— Malik Benson (@Leek_leek5) May 7, 2022
Currently, Benson is not yet rated by Rivals or 247Sports. He is listed on both at 6’1″ 185 pounds, but his profile on the Hutchinson team page lists him at 6’0″ 185 pounds. Either way, he’s not the typical big target Heupel has been recruiting recently.
Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t produce. JaVonta Payton was close to that side and thrived opposite Cedric Tillman at wideout, and there’s always room in the slot. Based on what he did in his first year of junior college, he shouldn’t have many problems.
Benson caught 43 passes for 1,229 yards and 11 touchdowns this past year. Since he’s entering his sophomore year of junior college this season, he should have two years of eligibility at the next level wherever he ends up. Rocky Top would be a solid place for him, and Heupel’s tempo demands depth at receiver.
Currently, there are no favorites to land him on the Rivals Future Cast. The Rivals Fan Future Cast has the Kansas State Wildcats as a plurality favorite, but they didn’t make the cut, and while Alabama is the only one with a warm rating on 247Sports, there are no 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, so Tennessee football should be in play.