Arrelious Benn

What began as a career with much promise ended with little fanfare for Benn, who decided that despite an injury-plagued 2009 personally and a frustrating season by the entire Illini offense, it was time to leave the collegiate ranks and test his skills at a higher level. The 2009 campaign proved to be Benn's most difficult. He spent more time in the trainer's room than on the practice field. Just three plays into the season, he suffered a high ankle sprain that would linger throughout the season. He also suffered thigh and head issues, missing part of the Michigan State game after suffering a concussion and leaving the Penn State game after having the wind knocked out of him while making a diving grab. Despite the rash of injuries, Benn managed to lead the team in receptions for the third consecutive year in 2009. Even though his career lasted just three years, Benn ranks tied for fourth in Illinois history with 159 catches, placing sixth on the school's all-time record list with 2,221 receiving yards. His kickoff-return average of 23.67 yards rank fourth in Illini annals and he placed fourth on the university's career-record chart with 3,613 all-purpose yards. Benn was a five-star recruit coming out of Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., where he competed as a wide receiver, running back, safety and linebacker. He was named USA Today, Parade and Super Prep All-American first-team, adding 2006 D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year honors. He was the recipient of the EA Sports' Walter Payton Award, given annually to the most-dedicated high school athlete. The two-time All-Metropolitan selection by the Washington Post was also chosen Super Prep's Mid-Atlantic Offensive Player of the Year. He was rated the 17th-best player in the country by both Rivals.com and ESPN.com and ranked as the nation's second-best receiver and second-best DC-area player by Rivals.com. He also received a five-star rating by Scout.com and was ranked 19th overall on Prep Star's Top 100 Team, in addition to adding Super Prep Elite 50. Benn caught 50 passes for 1,147 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior, becoming the first player in school history to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. In his final season, he pulled down 56 passes for 1,039 yards and nine touchdowns. He also averaged nine yards a carry, rushing for three touchdowns, as he led his team to four straight Turkey Bowls. Following his career, Benn was invited to play in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Coveted by most major colleges during the 2007 recruiting wars, Benn chose Illinois over the University of Maryland, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Miami, and Florida State University. He graduated from high school early, joining the Illini for 2007 spring drills. However, he suffered a right shoulder dislocation during an intra-squad game in fall camp. He would miss more than a week of fall drills due to the injury and would dislocate the shoulder again in the Wisconsin and Iowa games, requiring surgery to repair after the season. Benn still put together an impressive first season. He was named Freshman All-American second-team and chosen Big Ten Conference Fresh-man of the Year. The All-Big Ten first-team choice led the team with 54 receptions for 676 yards (12.52 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. He was utilized often out of the backfield, as he rushed for 158 yards on 32 attempts. His 28.0-yard kickoff-return average ranks third on the school season-record list. He also added four solo tackles while averaging 85.69 all-purpose yards per game. Benn earned All-Big Ten first-team honors from the media as a sophomore. He generated 1,668 all-purpose yards, the third-best season total by an Illini player. He ranked third in the conference with 67 receptions, the fifth-best season total in school annals. He posted 1,055 aerial yards (15.75 yards per catch), becoming the first Illini to reach 1,000 yards receiving since 2002. He also averaged 19.9 yards on 20 kickoff returns and 7.6 yards on 15 punt returns. Benn served as team captain for the second-straight year in 2009. Despite his injuries, he still earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention. He paced the Illini with a career-low 38 receptions for 490 yards (12.9 yards per catch) that included two touchdowns. He added another score rushing and averaged 26.5 yards per kickoff return, the fifth-best season average by an Illinois player in school annals. In mid-December, 2009, Benn announced that he was forgoing his final season at Illinois to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. Both his mother and coaching staff had wished he would return to school. His mother, Denise Benn, had publicly said that she would like for her son to come back to Illinois for his senior season. "My mom will always speak her opinion," Benn said. "She'll speak out like any mother would do. She just cares about me and my education." Had Benn returned to Illinois in 2010, he might have had an opportunity to play football with his older brother. The Illini offered a scholarship to Trulon Henry, a 25-year-old defensive back at the College of Dupage. Henry spent nearly five years in prison for armed robbery. But the prospect of further injuries seemed to have affected Benn's decision. "Injuries always happen," Benn said. "Even with the injuries, I got to play through all the games. It's just football. I have the type of football to endure that."