The Carolina Panthers have signed 2014 first-round draft choice (28th overall) wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and third-round draft choice (92nd overall) guard Trai Turner, the team announced Wednesday. All six members of the team’s 2014 draft class have now signed.
Benjamin played in 28 games with 14 starts at Florida State, entering the NFL following his sophomore season in 2013. He totaled 84 receptions for 1,506 yards and 19 touchdowns and finished his career second in school history with an average of 17.93 yards per catch. In his final season at Florida State, Benjamin earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors after leading the team with 1,011 receiving yards on 54 receptions. He ranked first in the conference and third in the nation with 15 receiving touchdowns, which tied the school record. He scored the game-winning touchdown on a two-yard reception with 13 seconds left in his final collegiate game, the BCS National Championship against Auburn.
Turner played in 25 games with 20 starts at right guard at LSU, entering the NFL following his sophomore season in 2013. In two seasons, Turner delivered 115 knockdowns and 29 touchdown-resulting blocks while surrendering just three sacks. In 2013, Turner was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection, starting 13 games and leading the conference with 21 touchdown-resulting blocks. Turner allowed only one sack and opened holes for the Tigers to rush for 2,630 yards and a school-record 37 touchdowns.
