Kelvin Benjamin Seeking Breakout Year

If you've been around Tallahassee or know a die-hard Seminole you've likely heard the name Kelvin Benjamin.

Before he's ever even played a snap at Florida State Benjamin has already developled a bit of a reputation that precedes him. It's not hard to understand why either when you behold the 6-5 243 receiver or watch him move on the playing field.

Jimbo Fisher admits, it isn't normal for a player Benjamin's size to be so quick. 

"Usually your big ones are what I like to call 'oozers' a lot of time," said Fisher. "And you've got to be careful because you get those big receivers who don't have that body quickness to separate from folks I mean you have a hard time time, [Kelvin's] one of those rare guys who has a lot of body quickness when he's in shape."

Concidentally, part of why Benjamin has been drawing such rave reviews since the start of Florida State's practices is because Benjamin is in such great shape, having slimmed down and reduced his overall body fat.

"Oh [it's helped] a ton," said Fisher. "His burst off the ball into his route [is better], his endurance, he looks quick, he's getting in and out of that cut like a little guy."

That hardly seems fair given Benjamin's massive frame.

One thing is for sure, he's not going to face any defensive backs that are larger than he is this season. Already Benjamin's presence has proven challenging for Florida State's secondary, which has the unenviable task of guarding him during the preseason.

"All of those guys, you have to have your mind right, you've got to understand their tendencies because we have a lot of different kind of receivers, there's a big variety of them," said junior safety Lamarcus Joyner. "When you're going against a guy like Kelvin Benjamin you have to decide am I going to play him off or am I going to play him on."

Neither option is all that appealing. Asked if he was yet to defend a jump ball to Benjamin the 5-8 safety shook his head.

"It hasn't come down to that, but I know it will someday."

That feeling will be in the pit of a lot of opposing corners' and safeties' stomachs this season as they prepare to guard the massive receiver.

Of course there have been a lot of highly-touted big receivers to come through Florida State and not pan too. In fact, recently FSU seems to have had several. I mentioned Corey Surrency who bore considerable hype from Seminoles fans coming out of El Camino CC in my practice notes this morning. You can also think back to guys like Fred Rouse and even Randy Moss as players who entered with hype and never panned for various reasons.

The point isn't to say Benjamin could bomb, but just to point out that for every kid that comes in and lives up to the hype, there are two that don't.

Still, as I mentioned it's not hard to see why Benjamin has gotten the attention he has. And if he can live up to his massive potential he could be set for a breakout year.

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