Breaking the rock just one more symbol of how far Florida State RB Trey Benson has come

When Florida State officially ended preseason camp 12 months ago, Trey Benson didn’t completely believe in himself. So how could each of his teammates and coaches have full confidence that he could be the Seminoles’ top running back?

As good as he looked during preseason practice, Benson had carried the ball a grand total of six times during his previous two years at Oregon. He was still learning the nuances of Mike Norvell’s offense. And there were questions about how confident he would be about taking direct hits on his surgically repaired knee.

Doubts were coming from seemingly every direction.

One year later, the situation could not be any different.

Benson is coming off a breakthrough season that saw him rush for 990 yards, catch 13 passes and also return a kickoff for a touchdown. He enters 2023 as one of two starting tailbacks on the Preseason All-ACC Team. And after working to break out of his quiet tendencies and become a Florida State team leader, he was chosen Saturday night to, “break the rock,” and signify the conclusion of preseason camp.

The idea that Benson would be chosen for that honor — one year after he came to FSU as an unknown commodity — surprised even the Seminoles’ star running back.

“I’m like, ‘Whoa, it’s me?’” Benson said with a smile. “But that’s great. I’m blessed to be able to break the rock after fall camp. I’m just ready to go with the guys.”

Florida State strength and conditioning coach Josh Storms typically chooses the player who breaks the rock after the team successfully accomplishes significant goals. The Seminoles do it following big wins and after different parts of the year, such as the completion of spring practice and fall camp.

Norvell said this month of preseason practice was so impressive that a number of players could have received the honor. But he indicated none would have been more deserving than Benson.

Despite being one of the superstar players on a team that is ranked No. 8 in the country, teammates say Benson has approached each practice just as if he was the unheralded player who arrived in Tallahassee in 2022.

“His spirit, mentality, work ethic … he’s a great teammate,” Norvell said. “What I see and appreciate is just the impact on those around him.”

Benson admits that being a team leader is not necessarily one of his natural gifts. Unlike his roommate and close friend Jared Verse, the Mississippi native is not a big talker on or off the field.

But with veteran tailback Treshaun Ward having left for Kansas State during the offseason, Benson has tried to add being more vocal to his repertoire. He still is much more comfortable leading by example, but if encouraging or demanding words need to be spoken, Benson is making that effort.

“I had to step out of my comfort zone a little more this fall camp,” he said. “I had to. They look at me as a leader. … I had to step into that leadership role.”

With Florida State’s highly anticipated showdown with No. 5 LSU looming just one week from today, Benson is eager to show how far he has come as a player as well.

In last year’s game against the Tigers, just his second as a Seminole, Benson was virtually a non-factor. Florida State won the game, but he carried the ball six times for 15 yards. He was far from the featured back who would rush for at least 100 yards in four of the Seminoles’ final six games of 2022.

In some ways, that feels like a lifetime ago.

“I’m just more experienced,” Benson said. “Last year, that was like my second game ever really playing [college] football. … Coming in this year, I’ve got more experience. I’m gonna be way more confident this year because of the experience.”

Now fully fluent in Norvell’s offense, Benson said the game feels slower to him these days. He, meanwhile, continues to get bigger and faster.

The Seminoles’ leading rusher now carries 223 pounds on his 6-foot, 1-inch frame. One year ago, he was listed at 215.

“I feel great,” Benson said of his added size. “Haven’t lost speed. I think I got faster, actually.”

When prodded for more information about his top-end speed, the soft-spoken running back says he was timed at a blazing 22.9 mph on a 43-yard run against Duquesne in his first game as a Seminole.

After breaking the rock on Saturday, Benson admitted he’d like to smash another barrier — 23 mph — in this year’s opener against LSU.

“I’m gonna try to hit it Sunday,” he said with a smile.

There’s no reason for doubt anymore.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.

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