Kelvin Benjamin

Childhood & High School

Kelvin Benjamin was born 5 February, 1991, in Belle Glade, Florida. He attended Glades Central High School, where he participated in football, basketball, and track. Benjamin only played football for three years in high school, playing as a wide receiver. He was named First Team All-Palm Beach County by Sun-Sentinel, as well as being selected to the Palm Beach Post All-Area First Team. Only playing in eight games, he had 31 catches over 551 yards, and six touchdowns during his senior year. Considered a four-star recruit, Benjamin ranked 7th for wide receivers, and 60th overall in the nation.

College

Benjamin attended Florida State University, having turned down scholarship offers from Auburn University, University of Florida, University of Miami, Virginia Tech, and others. As a freshman, Benjamin was one of seven FSU receivers with 20 or more catches, and was ranked fourth on the team with 30 receptions for 495 yards. He was second on the team for touchdowns with four, and posted single-season best marks of five receptions and 77 yards. His 2013, and final, season with the Florida State University Seminoles had him ranked as one of the most physically gifted receivers in the nation. He led the ACC with 15 receiving touchdowns, tying third in the nation, and averaging a touchdown every 3.6 catches, second in the country among wide receivers. In the VIZIO BCS National Championship game, Benjamin scored the winning touchdown on a 2-yard grab with 13 seconds remaining in the game. He also finished the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California with four receptions for 54 yards versus Auburn. Benjamin also set a new career mark in almost every statistical category against the Florida Gators, finishing with nine catches for 212 yards and three touchdowns; his 212-yard performance was the best by a receiver in the ACC, and eighth best in Seminole history. He was selected First Team All-America by SI.com, to the All-ACC Second Team by the coaches, and All-ACC Third Team by media.

NFL Draft

In the 2014 NFL Draft Combine, Benjamin was selected as the 28th pick in the first round by the Carolina Panthers. His 40 time was 4.61 seconds, and his vertical leap was 32.5 inches. His complete draft profile can be viewed here.

2014 NFL Season

Benjamin set a number of team records by a rookie in a season for the Carolina Panthers, including most catches (73), receiving yards (1,008), and receiving touchdowns (9). He was ranked third among NFL rookies in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, and was one of three rookie wide receivers to post 1,000 receiving yards—an NFL record. Benjamin was also named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for the month of September, having led all rookies with 329 receiving yards, tying for first with receiving touchdowns, and being ranked second with 21 catches. 

2015 NFL Season

In August 2015, Benjamin suffered a torn ACL during a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins, causing the Panthers to put him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season 

2016 NFL Season

During the 2016 season, Benjamin caught 63 catches, with 941 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns.

Personal Life

Benjamin does maintain a semi-regular presence online, posting pictures and videos to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and responding to fan messages, and sharing content. His Twitter handle is @kelvinbenjamin, and his Instagram is @kb13zone. Benjamin has a daughter named Kelyiah, whom he often shares pictures of on his Instagram. Benjamin is signed to a four year contract with the Carolina Panthers, worth $7.66 million, including a $3.89 million signing bonus, $6.19 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1.91 million. The NFL shop has his jersey and autograph for sale online at http://www.nflshop.com/Kelvin_Benjamin_Gear.