Trey Benson: ACC Breakout Year In 2023?
The ACC might not be what it used to be in terms of producing top-level talent for the NFL, but they will spit out a few good prospects every year. This year, the running back position is light for prospects, with Clemson’s Will Shipley at the top of most rankings for the conference. However, Florida State has a dude in Trey Benson, who I think is going to light it up for the Seminoles in 2023. Could he be your major breakout player this year in the ACC? Let’s talk about it.
I want to begin this by mentioning that it isn’t like Trey Benson is coming out of nowhere. If you were to look up ACC rankings of running backs, he is generally regarded as the second-best in the conference. Trey has Benson listed as RB12 in his rankings, which I don’t think is too off-base for where he stands right now. My belief is that he, along with this entire Florida State offense, is going to take a massive leap in 2023 and elevate quite a few guys.
Trey Benson has a lot of the tools you look for in a running back. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, he has the adequate size you are looking for, but carries himself a lot stronger. He is a thumper inside who isn’t afraid of contact. He has great feet, not just for a guy his size too just in general. You can compare his footwork to other backs which may be smaller and his holds up. When he plants to make a cut in a direction, he has breakaway speed. Stellar vision. He can catch out of the backfield as well, catching 28 passes a season ago, a number I am sure will go up in 2023.
Over his last six games, all starts, he averaged just over 100 yards a game with six touchdowns, including a monster performance in the regular season finale against Florida, where he went for 162 total yards and three touchdowns.
I don’t believe it’s too far-fetched to think Trey Benson can find himself as a top-five running back in the 2024 NFL Draft class. I think if Benson finds that next level he can be a three-down, workhorse back who puts up crazy numbers in a great Florida State offense. Benson gets a third-round grade from me as it stands with the full belief he can find his way into the early part of the second round, as he could establish himself as one of the best backs in the class.
