Three-star defensive back Jamir Benjamin announced his decommitment from Northwestern on Sunday to become the fifth member of the Class of 2024 to leave the program since th the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald on July 10.
Benjamin was the highest-rated player in Northwestern's class, a 5.7 three-star in Rivals' system. He chose the Wildcats on June 8, almost two months after decommitting from Stanford after the Cardinal fired David Shaw. Now, he is reopening his commitment after another head coaching change.
UCLA is widely regarded to be the front-runner for Benjamin. He took an unofficial visit there on July 28.
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MORE ON NORTHWESTERN'S DECOMMITMENTS:
WR Brett Eskildsen l DT Dillan Johnson l OL Payton Stewart l OL Julius Tate
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Northwestern's Class of 2024 remains in last place in the Big Ten and has dropped to 78th in the nation after Benjamin's decommitment.
Benjamin is the Wildcats' first decommitment since Brett Eskildsen on July 12. Very few of the remaining commits have a significant and outstanding competing offer like Benjamin did from UCLA.
Northwestern's class still includes a pair of defensive backs in Ty Hudkins and Terrion Hicks but is now down to just nine members.