By Paul Schmidt
“I don’t really try to predict things like this. There was some interest and we had talked but I didn’t really know anything for sure.”
Those were the first words from now-former University of Illinois wide receiver Arrelious “Rejus” Benn in his teleconference with reporters after being selected 39th overall pick of the NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Benn would figure to be an immediate impact player on the Buccaneers WR corps, a young crew that is lacking the physical specimen that Benn brings to the table: Big, fast and strong.
Benn, however, had yet to talk much with the Bucs’ brass about his new role.
“I haven’t talked to them yet,” Benn said. “They called to say they were taking me and that was about it. I haven’t talked to the coaches or to Josh (Freeman, the incumbent quarterback in Tampa). I’m calling them after I get off the phone with you guys, and we’re going to talk about that.”
The Buccaneers have a lot of work to do however, as a young, talented squad with a lot of room to grow. Adding a vocal, strong-opinioned player such as Benn can only help in the locker room.
“Absolutely, I hope I can come in and immediately be a leader,” Benn said. “I plan on going in there and doing anything and everything that I can do to help the team rebuild and make the team get better.”
For a player that had routinely been referred to as either the number one or two wide receiver in the NFL draft, slipping to the mid/high part of the second round could be looked at as a slight from the rest of the NFL, but Benn doesn’t see it that way.
“I don’t look at it as I have anything to prove,” Benn said. “It is an honor to be picked no matter where you are selected, and I’m happy to be a part of the Buccaneers.”