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Illinois wide receiver Arrelious Benn announced Wednesday that he would forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the NFL draft."With the support of coach [Ron] Zook and my mom, I am ready to pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL," Benn said at an afternoon press conference. He also added that he plans to complete his degree at Illinois.
Benn, 6-foot-2 and around 220 pounds, had a miserable junior season, accumulating just 490 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Those numbers came on the heels of Benn's breakout 2008 season, where he made 67 catches for 1,055 yards.
Much of Benn's statistical struggle at Illinois can be chalked up to the Illini's constant search for a starting quarterback. Illinois used three different QBs this season -- Juice Williams, Eddie McGee and Jacob Charest. The Illini finished just 3-9 and missed out on a bowl for the second straight year. Illinois' last bowl appearance came after the 2007 season, Benn's freshman year, when the Illini played USC in the Rose Bowl -- Benn made five catches for 80 yards in a 49-17 Trojans victory.
Despite his subpar 2009 season -- and the fact that he caught just seven touchdowns in three years at Illinois -- Benn will be one of the more highly-regarded wide receivers in April's draft, and should have a legitimate shot at being a top-20 pick if he has successful pre-draft workouts.
"I know the hard work is just beginning," Benn said, "and I as I begin this new adventure, I will always be proud to represent the Fighting Illini."
Benn joins a growing list of early-entrants to the 2010 draft at wide receiver. Oklahoma State junior Dez Bryant and Notre Dame junior Golden Tate, both also considered potential first-rounders, have already declared for the draft.
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