Trey Benson Bio
Kurtrell “Trey” Benson is an American professional football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 220 pounds, he plays a physical, between-the-tackles style that has defined his path from Mississippi to the professional ranks. After beginning his college career at Oregon, he transferred to Florida State, where he developed into one of the top running backs in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Arizona Cardinals selected him in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft with the 66th overall pick, launching his pro career.
Early Life and Background
Kurtrell “Trey” Benson was born on July 23, 2002, in Greenville, Mississippi. He grew up in a region with a deep football tradition, and the sport became a central part of his upbringing. Before high school concluded, he transferred from O’Bannon High School to St. Joseph Catholic High School in Greenville to finish his prep career.
Across his final two high school seasons, Benson piled up 3,616 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most productive running backs in Mississippi. Those numbers drew attention from college recruiters across the country, and he ultimately committed to the University of Oregon to play at the next level.
Path to American Football
Arriving at Oregon as a highly touted recruit, Benson’s development faced an early setback when he missed the 2020 season with a torn ACL. Healthy again in 2021, he saw limited action in a crowded Ducks backfield, finishing the year with six carries for 22 yards and one touchdown. Despite the small statistical sample, his physical tools and upside were evident, and he opted to seek a larger role elsewhere.
After the 2021 season, Benson transferred to Florida State University, where he initially split carries with Lawrance Toafili and Treshaun Ward. As the 2022 campaign progressed, he steadily earned more responsibility and emerged as the Seminoles’ lead back. That breakout paved the way for his selection in the 2024 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round with the 66th overall pick.
Trey Benson Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Benson’s college career at Oregon began under difficult circumstances, as a torn ACL forced him to miss the entire 2020 season. The injury required a long rehabilitation, but he returned to the field in 2021 ready to compete. Working in a deep Oregon backfield, he recorded six carries for 22 yards and a touchdown while continuing to develop his size, vision, and pass-protection skills.
Although his stat line at Oregon was modest, the program gave him a foundation in a pro-style scheme. His combination of size, balance, and burst convinced the Florida State coaching staff that he was ready for a featured role, and his decision to transfer set the stage for the most productive stretch of his college career.
Florida State Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Benson quickly became a key piece of the Florida State offense. In his first year with the Seminoles in 2022, he split time with Lawrance Toafili and Treshaun Ward before ultimately taking over as the primary running back. His hard-running style and ability to handle a heavy workload gave Florida State a reliable presence in both the run game and short passing attack. Following the season, he earned second-team All-ACC honors.
As a junior in 2023, Benson was again recognized as a second-team All-ACC selection, cementing his status as one of the top running backs in the conference. Across his two seasons at Florida State, he showcased the patience, leg drive, and contact balance that scouts look for in a lead back. That production made him a clear third-round talent, and the Arizona Cardinals moved on him with the 66th pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2024–Present)
Benson signed his four-year rookie contract with the Cardinals on July 18, 2024, and made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2024 season, recording three carries for 13 yards and a five-yard reception. He carved out a complementary role behind starter James Conner, and one of his brightest early moments came in Week 10, when he rushed for 62 yards on 10 carries and added 25 receiving yards on two catches in a 31–6 win over the New York Jets. A late-season ankle injury landed him on injured reserve, and he finished his rookie year with 291 rushing yards and a touchdown on 63 carries, plus 59 receiving yards on six catches.
Heading into 2025, Benson was listed as Arizona’s second-string running back behind James Conner. When Conner suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, Benson stepped into the lead role. A meniscus injury in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, however, required arthroscopic surgery and a 4-to-6 week absence. On December 10, the Cardinals announced that Benson would miss the remainder of the 2025 season, cutting short his first extended opportunity as a featured back.
Driving Style and Strengths
Benson is a compact, powerfully built back who excels running between the tackles. He shows patience to allow blocks to develop, strong leg drive through contact, and reliable hands as a receiver out of the backfield. His toughness in pass protection and willingness to finish runs have made him a trusted option in short-yardage and late-game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature early pro moments, Benson delivered a 62-yard rushing performance in a Week 10 win over the New York Jets during his rookie season, his first true breakout as a pro. He was also a two-time second-team All-ACC honoree at Florida State (2022 and 2023), highlighting his college success before becoming a third-round draft pick.
Trey Benson Career Wins
As a running back, Benson’s statistical milestones are tracked through rushing, receiving, and scoring totals rather than wins. In his rookie 2024 season, he rushed for 291 yards and one touchdown on 63 carries and added 59 receiving yards on six catches. Through the early portion of 2025, he added further production before his season-ending injury.
NFL Highlights
Benson’s top NFL moment to date came in Week 10 of the 2024 season against the New York Jets, when he posted 62 rushing yards on 10 carries and added 25 receiving yards in a decisive 31–6 Cardinals victory. He followed that performance with another strong outing, before an ankle injury ended his rookie regular season. Career NFL statistics as of the 2025 season include 451 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 19 receptions, and 123 receiving yards.
Other Wins & Performances
At the high school level, Benson totaled 3,616 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns across his final two prep seasons at St. Joseph Catholic in Greenville, Mississippi. Those numbers helped him earn a scholarship to Oregon and later positioned him for a featured role at Florida State, where his two All-ACC seasons set the stage for his NFL selection.
Trey Benson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Benson grew up in Greenville, Mississippi, in a region where football is woven into everyday life. Publicly available details about his parents and broader family background are limited, and he has largely kept his personal and family life out of the spotlight while focusing on his football career.
Personal Life
Benson is known by his nickname “Trey,” a shortened form of his given name, Kurtrell. He stands 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighs around 220 pounds, a build that matches his hard-running style. There is no public record of a spouse or children based on the verified information available.
2025 Season Performance
Benson’s 2025 season began with him listed as Arizona’s second-string running back behind veteran James Conner. When Conner suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, Benson was elevated to the primary ball-carrier role, giving him his first real chance to handle lead-back duties at the NFL level. In that brief window, he provided the Cardinals with physical runs and a reliable receiving option out of the backfield.
His opportunity was cut short in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, when a meniscus injury required arthroscopic surgery and an initial 4-to-6 week recovery timeline. Despite ongoing rehabilitation, the Cardinals announced on December 10 that Benson would miss the remainder of the season, closing the book on his first extended audition as a starter.
Looking beyond 2025, Benson remains under contract with the Cardinals through 2028, giving the organization a clear runway to evaluate his long-term fit as a featured piece of the backfield. The year ahead is likely to center on his recovery, a return to full health, and a fresh opportunity to compete for a larger role once again in the Arizona offense.
