The first time I met Arrelious Benn was in the summer of 2006. He had just finished his junior season at Washington (D.C.) Dunbar and had his pick of colleges.
Benn came to visit Ron Zook's staff along with Dunbar teammate Nate Bussey.
During a camp at Memorial Stadium, the players were timed in the 40-yard dash. Benn didn't run, and I remember wondering why.
The coaches didn't need to see his speed. Or his athleticism. They already knew.
Then, Benn started catching passes. It was like watching the Illinois version of Jerry Rice. It appeared effortless.