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Benjamin exploding onto the scene

Tampa (Fla.) Middleton junior wide receiver Richard Benjamin is shocked at the recent development of events. Over the past several weeks he has emerged on the national radar as a prospect. Despite being a member of the 2013 class, he has quickly racked up some significant offers.
"I think it is nine now," Benjamin said. "When it started, I didn't know this many schools were looking at me and going to offer me. I was just ecstatic."
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The schools that have offered the talented wide receiver are Cincinnati, Florida State, Kansas, Miami, Notre Dame, Rutgers, South Florida, Texas Tech, and Vanderbilt. Schools such as Florida, New Mexico, Southern Cal, and Wake Forest are also showing attention.
The first school to step forth with an offer was the local school, Skip Holtz' South Florida Bulls.
"South Florida was the first one," Benjamin said. "When I first got it, I just thought it was surprising. They were one of the schools I least expected to offer that early. When I went down to see the coaches there, they were nice guys, nice people. I like a lot of things about South Florida. I have a really good bond with USF."
Benjamin then began a nice run of offers but wasn't yet convinced he was on the national radar, that was until the Notre Dame Fighting Irish offered him this week after attending a practice.
"I was very stunned when I got that one," Benjamin said. "I didn't know Notre Dame had interest or even knew about me. That was a shock to me when I saw them. Then when my coach told me that their recruiter offered me, I was sold. I was convinced that I must be that good for a school like Notre Dame to come see me and offer me this early."
His good fortune continued as practice progressed during the first week of spring ball when two other in-state schools offered - Miami and Florida State.
"The offer from Miami, I like that one a lot," Benjamin said. "I just like that school and their football program."
"I love that school too," Benjamin said of Florida State. "When I got that one I was very happy. I've always like the Seminoles. I like their style of play."
"Those are two of my dream schools," Benjamin added in regards to the 'Canes and 'Noles. "It is just going to be very hard to make this decision when it comes time for me to do so."
With regards to a decision, the 6-foot, 182-pound wide receiver doesn't intend to rush things but would like to get it out of the way before his senior season rolls around.
"I know I want to take some trips and see some schools," Benjamin said. "I was thinking about committing early but if I don't know for sure in my mind where I want to go, then I will wait until my senior year. I want to get it out of the way so I don't have to worry about it so I can focus on my team and my school, but I also want to know that I am positive with which school I want to go to."
Benjamin and Middleton will wrap up their spring by squaring off against Tampa (Fla.) Hillsborough.
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