Is there a better way to end your college career than by catching a national title-winning touchdown pass?
Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin, the man who caught the game-winning two-yard touchdown throw from Jameis Winston in Monday night's BCS Championship Game, will reportedly enter the NFL Draft.
Breaking: Source close to Kelvin Benjamin confirms #FSU receiver will enter NFL draft.
— Tom D'Angelo (@tomdangelo44) January 10, 2014
A 6-5, 234 pound redshirt sophomore wide receiver, Benjamin caught 54 passes for 1,011 yards and 15 touchdowns. He used that size on that final touchdown pass, boxing out and going above Auburn's Chris Davis for the title-winning score in Florida State's 34-31 win.
Kelvin Benjamin has amazing size/length, does a great job high-pointing and boxing out, but drops the easy pass. Needs work as route runner — Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 10, 2014
In his redshirt freshman season at Florida State, Benjamin caught 30 passes for 495 yards and four touchdowns. He's similar in size to Texas A&M's Mike Evans, though Evans is considered to be the better draft prospect.
In 2006, Vince Young's final collegiate play was the game-winning touchdown for Texas against USC in the Rose Bowl. He went pro after the win that secured Texas the national title and was selected third overall by the Tennessee Titans. Coincidentally, Young's touchdown came in the same end zone as Benjamin's.
Maurice Clarett scored the game-winning touchdown in Ohio State's 31-24 2003 Fiesta Bowl win over Miami in his final snap. However, that's because he was suspended for the 2003 season after academic misconduct allegations and was subsquently dismissed from school. He was eventually drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
Earlier this week, Florida State announced that six players would be returning to school. But like Benjamin, defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan will be entering the draft.
We are excited to announce Cameron Erving, Rashad Greene and Tre' Jackson will be returning to school for their senior seasons!
— FSU Football (@FSU_Football) January 9, 2014
Josue Matias, Nick O'Leary and Karlos Williams will be returning for their senior seasons. Timmy Jernigan will enter NFL Draft. — FSU Football (@FSU_Football) January 9, 2014
- - - - - - -
Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
Follow @NickBromberg