Kurtrell “Trey” Benson Bio
Kurtrell “Trey” Benson is an American professional football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 23, 2002, in Greenville, Mississippi, Benson played college football at both the University of Oregon and Florida State University before being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 66th overall pick. He signed a four-year rookie contract with the Cardinals in July 2024 and has emerged as a key piece in Arizona’s running back rotation during his rookie and sophomore seasons.
Early Life and Background
Benson was born in Greenville, Mississippi, where he began developing his football skills at a young age. He attended O’Bannon High School in his hometown before transferring to St. Joseph Catholic High School, also located in Greenville. During his final two seasons at the high school level, Benson demonstrated his exceptional talent by accumulating 3,616 rushing yards and scoring 48 touchdowns, showcasing the speed, power, and vision that would define his collegiate career.
His impressive high school performance attracted attention from multiple college programs across the country. Benson ultimately decided to continue his football journey at the collegiate level, committing to play at the University of Oregon. This decision placed him in the Pacific-12 Conference, where he would have the opportunity to compete against some of the top college football programs in the nation while developing under collegiate coaching.
Path to Professional Football
Benson arrived at the University of Oregon in 2020 with high expectations as a freshman. Unfortunately, his first season was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL injury, forcing him to miss the entire 2020 campaign. The injury presented an early setback in his collegiate career, but Benson worked diligently through his rehabilitation to return to the field. In 2021, he saw limited action, recording six carries for 22 yards and one touchdown, demonstrating glimpses of his potential despite the limited opportunities.
Following the 2021 season, Benson made the decision to transfer to Florida State University, joining the Seminoles program. At Florida State, he initially shared the backfield duties with Lawrance Toafili and Treshaun Ward during his first season with the team. Through hard work and consistent performance, Benson gradually earned a larger role in the offense. By the end of his tenure at Florida State, he had established himself as the primary running back, earning second-team All-ACC honors in both 2022 and 2023. His production and versatility at the collegiate level made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams heading into the 2024 Draft.
Kurtrell “Trey” Benson Career
Arizona Cardinals (2024–Present)
Benson was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 66th overall pick, fulfilling his dream of playing professional football. The Cardinals recognized his blend of speed, elusiveness, and ball-carrying ability as valuable assets for their offensive attack. On July 18, 2024, he officially signed his four-year rookie contract, marking the beginning of his professional career with the franchise.
Benson made his NFL debut during Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, immediately contributing to the Cardinals’ offense. In Week 10 of the 2024 season, he delivered a notable performance against the New York Jets, rushing for 62 yards on 10 carries while also recording two receptions for 25 yards in a 31-6 victory. However, his rookie season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on December 31 due to an ankle injury that caused him to miss Weeks 16 and 17. He finished the 2024 season with 291 rushing yards and one touchdown on 63 carries, plus 59 receiving yards on six catches.
The 2025 season opened with Benson serving as the Cardinals’ second-string running back behind veteran James Conner. When Conner suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, Benson stepped into the primary backfield role, showcasing his abilities as an every-down threat. However, his momentum was disrupted when he sustained a meniscus injury during Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, requiring arthroscopic surgery that sidelined him for approximately four to six weeks. On December 10, it was announced that Benson would miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
Running Style and Strengths
Benson possesses a combination of speed, agility, and power that makes him an effective runner between the tackles and in space. His vision allows him to identify cutback lanes, while his acceleration enables him to exploit openings in the defense. Standing at 6 feet 0 inches and weighing 220 pounds, he has the size to handle between-the-tackles runs and the speed to reach the perimeter. His versatility is evident in his receiving production, as he has shown the ability to contribute in the passing game as a check-down option and route runner out of the backfield.
Notable Events and Milestones
Benson’s rookie campaign included a standout performance against the New York Jets in Week 10 of 2024, where he posted his first significant rushing totals of the season. The transition from college to professional football presents challenges, and Benson navigated his early NFL experiences while battling injuries that interrupted his development. His elevation to starting duties in 2025 after James Conner’s injury represented a milestone moment, providing him with the opportunity to serve as the primary running back for an NFL franchise. His collegiate achievements, including two second-team All-ACC selections at Florida State, established the foundation for his professional career trajectory.
Kurtrell “Trey” Benson Career Wins and Statistics
Through his first two seasons in the NFL, Benson has accumulated meaningful production despite injuries limiting his availability. His rookie season resulted in 291 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, along with 59 receiving yards. During the 2025 season before his injury, Benson continued to build on his rookie statistics, demonstrating growth as a professional running back in the Cardinals’ offensive system.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
Benson has appeared in games across two NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. In his rookie year, he established himself as a rotational piece in the offense before injuries intervened. During the 2025 season, his increased role following James Conner’s injury provided him with expanded opportunities before his season-ending meniscus injury. His career totals through the 2025 season include 451 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, along with 123 receiving yards on 19 receptions with no receiving touchdowns.
College Achievements
At the collegiate level, Benson’s most productive years came during his tenure at Florida State University from 2022 to 2023. His consistency in conference play earned him recognition from the Atlantic Coast Conference, as he was named second-team All-ACC in consecutive seasons. These honors reflected his status as one of the premier running backs in a competitive conference, establishing his reputation as a durable and productive college performer before entering the professional ranks.
Kurtrell “Trey” Benson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Limited verified information is available regarding Benson’s family background. He was born and raised in Greenville, Mississippi, and attended St. Joseph Catholic High School in his hometown. His football journey from Greenville to the collegiate level at Oregon and Florida State, and ultimately to the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, represents a significant personal accomplishment. As he continues to develop his professional career, he remains connected to his Mississippi roots while building his identity as an NFL player.
Personal Life
As a young professional athlete entering the NFL, Benson focuses primarily on his football career with the Arizona Cardinals. His athletic career has required dedication to training, recovery, and continuous development of his skills as a running back. The injuries he has encountered during his first two professional seasons have tested his resilience and commitment to the sport. Information regarding his marital status, children, or other personal relationships is not publicly verified and therefore not included.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season began with Benson in a backup role behind veteran James Conner on the Arizona Cardinals’ depth chart. This positioning provided him with the opportunity to learn from an experienced NFL running back while gradually increasing his workload as he gained comfort with the professional playbook and schemes. His patience and preparation paid off when Conner’s season-ending injury in Week 3 thrust him into the starting role.
Assuming the primary backfield duties, Benson demonstrated the skills that made him a third-round draft pick. His early performances in the starting role showed promise for a breakout season, but the football gods had other plans. During Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, Benson suffered a meniscus injury that required arthroscopic surgery, resulting in a projected absence of four to six weeks. The setback proved more significant than initially anticipated, as it was later announced on December 10 that Benson would miss the remainder of the season entirely. Despite the injury disappointment, his mid-season emergence as a starter provided valuable experience that will benefit him moving forward.