Florida State RB Trey Benson declares for 2024 NFL Draft, opts out of Orange Bowl

Florida State standout running back Trey Benson has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, he announced via X on Sunday. He will not play in the Orange Bowl against Georgia.

Benson finishes his three-year collegiate career having amassed just shy of 2,000 yards on the ground, totaling 316 carries for 1,917 yards and 34 touchdowns.

He began his career at Oregon, but only stayed there for the 2021 season after only being allowed six carries. Still, he made the most of his opportunity by cashing in on one of those scoring the first touchdown of his career and finishing his freshman year with 22 yards.

Benson never totaled 1,000 yards in a single season in two years at Florida State. In 2022, he finished the season with 990 yards and 9 touchdowns, and 905 in 2023 with an additional 14 scores. Of course, playing alongside a quarterback like Jordan Travis, a dip in production than they’re actually capable of is expected, and more than made up for it with 371 additional yards amassed through the air.

Before college, Benson played high school football at St. Joseph (MS) High School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 368 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcast throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.