In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves throughout the college football landscape, 5-star quarterback phenom Marcus “MJ” Benton has decommitted from Bengal University and announced his commitment to Arizona State — turning down offers from traditional juggernauts like Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia in the process.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound signal-caller from Atlanta, Georgia, had been a solid verbal commit to Bengal University for the past seven months. A prototypical dual-threat quarterback known for his rocket arm and explosive playmaking ability, Benton was widely projected to join a national powerhouse program — making his decision to commit to Arizona State all the more surprising.
In a heartfelt social media post on Sunday night, Benton explained his decision:
“This journey has been about finding a place where I can grow not just as a player, but as a man. After long talks with my family and lots of prayer, I’ve decided to decommit from Bengal and fully commit to Arizona State. Tempe feels like home. Coach Dillingham believes in me — and I believe in his vision.”
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, who has been aggressively recruiting elite talent to revive the Sun Devils’ football program, landed arguably his biggest recruiting victory yet with Benton’s flip. The QB’s commitment marks a major turning point for the ASU program, which has struggled in recent years to compete with the upper echelon of the Pac-12 and national powers.
Benton’s decision is also a major blow to programs like Alabama and Georgia, both of whom were in hot pursuit of the dynamic quarterback and had made late pushes in recent weeks.
Analysts say Benton’s commitment could be a catalyst for other top recruits to consider Arizona State, which is building serious momentum under Dillingham’s leadership.
For now, all eyes will be on Tempe, where the college football world waits to see if Benton can help bring the Sun Devils back to national prominence.
