Breaking News: Five-Star WR Shocks College Football World by Rejecting $6.5 Million, Decommits from LSU Tigers, and Flips Commitment to Auburn Over Notre Dame and Tennessee
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May 22, 2025
In a seismic twist that’s sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, Malik Benton, the No. 2 wide receiver in the 2025 class and a consensus five-star prospect, has flipped his commitment from LSU to the Auburn Tigers, spurning powerhouse programs Notre Dame and Tennessee—and turning down a reported $6.5 million NIL offer in the process.
Benton’s decision, confirmed Thursday morning via a live stream on his social media platforms, stunned analysts and fans alike. Many had penciled him in as the centerpiece of LSU’s 2025 recruiting class. Now, the Bayou Bengals must regroup, while Auburn celebrates its biggest recruiting win in over a decade.
“This wasn’t about money. This was about home, development, and legacy,” Benton said in his announcement. “I want to be somewhere I’m valued not just for the headlines I bring, but for the work I put in every day.”
Who Is Malik Benton?
Hailing from Lawrenceville, Georgia, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Benton has been a household name on the recruiting circuit since his sophomore year at Grayson High School. A dynamic playmaker with blazing speed (4.34 40-yard dash), crisp route-running, and elite hands, Benton is seen as a future first-round NFL Draft pick and a likely Day 1 starter in college.
High School Stats:
- Junior Year: 74 receptions, 1,412 yards, 19 touchdowns
- Career Totals (3 years): 219 receptions, 3,985 yards, 47 touchdowns
He earned MVP honors at the Under Armour Next Camp and was recently named to the All-American Bowl roster.
“He’s the most polished high school receiver I’ve ever evaluated,” said 247Sports’ Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins. “What Marvin Harrison Jr. was to Ohio State, Malik Benton could be for Auburn.”
The Shocking Flip: Why He Left LSU
Benton had been committed to LSU since August 2024. He cited early relationships with wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton and LSU’s dominant WR legacy (Odell Beckham Jr., Ja’Marr Chase, Malik Nabers) as key factors.
So why the change of heart?
1. Coaching Instability
Sources close to Benton say concerns about LSU’s long-term coaching future played a major role. With Brian Kelly entering a “CFP or bust” year and rumors swirling about NFL interest in multiple assistants, Benton sought more stability.
“There’s a difference between hype and a plan,” Benton’s father said. “Auburn made us feel like part of the blueprint, not just a headline.”
2. Player Development
Auburn’s recent receiver development under head coach Hugh Freeze and OC Derrick Nix helped sway the Benton camp. The Tigers have two WRs projected to go in the top 100 of the 2026 NFL Draft and have modernized their offensive scheme.
“The film don’t lie,” Benton said. “Coach Freeze is building something that fits me like a glove.”
3. Culture and Fit
Benton made multiple quiet visits to Auburn, Notre Dame, and Tennessee this spring. Insiders say he bonded with players and staff at Auburn in a way he didn’t elsewhere.
“It just felt like family. Like I could be myself without putting on a show,” Benton said.
Turning Down $6.5 Million?
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping element of Benton’s flip: he rejected a reported $6.5 million NIL package from another SEC program—widely believed to be Texas A&M or LSU.
In an age where multimillion-dollar NIL deals sway recruitment as much as tradition, Benton’s decision is rare—and meaningful.
“Money comes and goes,” Benton said. “But legacy and the people you build it with? That’s forever.”
His family echoed that sentiment, insisting that Auburn offered a more structured, long-term NIL strategy rather than a one-time bag.
Hugh Freeze’s Reaction: “We Just Shocked the World”
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze didn’t hide his excitement.
“We just shocked the world,” Freeze said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “This is the start of something big. Auburn is coming.”
In a follow-up statement, Freeze praised Benton’s character, humility, and leadership potential.
“We don’t just recruit talent—we recruit culture changers,” Freeze said. “Malik is that.”
Recruiting Fallout: Auburn Rising
Benton’s flip could be the domino that propels Auburn into the top five of the 2025 recruiting rankings. Prior to Benton’s commitment, the Tigers were ranked No. 9 by 247Sports. With his addition and momentum building, Auburn is now in play for other top-tier recruits:
Potential Targets Now Trending Auburn:
- Jaylen Riggins, 4-star DB from Texas
- Terrance Milton, 5-star RB from Florida
- Trey McKnight, 4-star OT from Alabama
Recruiting analysts say Benton’s decision signals to elite prospects that Auburn isn’t just rebuilding—it’s reloading with firepower and purpose.
“It’s the kind of commitment that changes a program,” said On3’s Chad Simmons.
Notre Dame and Tennessee: The Runners-Up
Both Notre Dame and Tennessee were serious contenders until the final week. Benton visited South Bend in April and Knoxville in early May, with both staffs believing they had a real shot.
Notre Dame’s Pitch:
- Academic prestige
- NIL stability via national brands
- Connection to NFL-caliber strength and conditioning staff
Tennessee’s Pitch:
- SEC exposure
- High-flying offense under Josh Heupel
- NIL incentives reportedly north of $4 million
Ultimately, neither could match the combination of personal connection, fit, and developmental trust Benton felt at Auburn.
What This Means for LSU
The Tigers still boast a strong 2025 class, but Benton was the crown jewel. His departure leaves a void and raises questions about the program’s NIL operations, coaching stability, and receiver depth long-term.
Potential Consequences:
- LSU could slide out of the top five nationally in recruiting
- Increased pressure on Brian Kelly to deliver in 2025
- Boosts urgency to land another elite WR before signing day
Sources indicate LSU has already re-engaged several top wideouts in the class, but replacing Benton will be no small task.
“That one hurts,” an LSU source told The Athletic. “He was going to be the face of our class.”
Fan Reaction: A New Era on the Plains
Auburn fans erupted on social media, with “Malik Benton” trending nationally on X within minutes of the announcement. Students gathered outside Jordan-Hare Stadium and Toomer’s Corner to celebrate the massive flip.
“We just landed the next great Tiger. This is our turning point,” one fan posted.
“The Hugh Freeze effect is real. Bo Jackson comes home. Benton commits. Auburn’s got juice again,” another added.
With one announcement, Benton has not only shifted Auburn’s 2025 trajectory—but possibly its future over the next three years.
NIL the Right Way: Auburn’s Long-Term Strategy Pays Off
While Benton rejected a mega-deal, he didn’t reject NIL altogether. Auburn’s approach—structured, brand-aligned, with educational components—appealed to his family more than up-front millions.
The Tigers’ partnership with the On To Victory Collective, plus NIL education programs through Auburn’s Athletics Incubator, stood out.
“They’re teaching these kids to be CEOs, not just influencers,” said NIL attorney Alex Greer.
Benton is expected to land national endorsements aligned with long-term brand goals, not quick cash.
What’s Next for Benton?
Benton will enroll early at Auburn in January 2026. Until then, he’s focused on finishing his senior year, leading Grayson to a state title, and preparing for the All-American Bowl.
He’s also expected to take an active role in Auburn’s peer recruiting process, already reaching out to other top uncommitted prospects.
“I’m not coming alone,” he said with a grin after his announcement. “We’re building something at Auburn. Come be part of it.”
A Defining Moment for Auburn Football
There are recruiting wins. And then there are recruiting moments—the kind that define eras and change narratives. Malik Benton’s commitment flip to Auburn is one of the latter.
In turning down $6.5 million and choosing Auburn over LSU, Notre Dame, and Tennessee, Benton sent a message:
- That Auburn is serious about contending again
- That relationships, culture, and fit still matter in the NIL era
- That Hugh Freeze is building something real on the Plains
The Tigers haven’t just landed a five-star. They’ve landed a foundational piece—a culture-shifting talent who believes in the vision and wants to build it from the ground up.
And in a sport where momentum matters more than ever, Auburn just grabbed a whole lot of it.
