Former Oregon State receiver Isaiah Hodgins is returning close to home after signing a futures contract Tuesday with the San Francisco 49ers.

The 6-foot-4 Hodgins, who played at OSU from 2017-19 and was a sixth-round selection by Buffalo in the 2020 NFL draft, grew up in Oakley, California, northeast of San Francisco.

Hodgins, who played for the Bills and New York Giants during the first five years of his NFL career, was on the Giants practice squad for the entire 2024 season. Hodgins has 60 receptions for 634 yards and seven touchdowns during a 31-game playing career.

A futures contract doesn’t count against an NFL team’s salary cap until the start of league’s next year. Teams can sign players who are part of a 53-man roster and on the practice squad or eligible for free agency to futures contracts.

Among Oregon State’s all-time receivers, Hodgins ranks second in touchdowns (20), sixth in career receptions (176) and seventh in yardage (2,322).

— Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel.

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While spring break vacations are often thought of as a time for students to cut loose, Condé Nast Traveler suggests that adults deserve their own spring break getaways, and offers a list of 25 places to do just that.

The travel publication and website notes that spring break trips are “shining examples of one of the greatest travel hacks out there,” in that they can be enjoyed in the transitional months outside summer and winter peak travel periods.

To get a head start on making travel plans, Condé Nast Traveler rounded up 25 adult spring break destinations for 2025. And, no surprise, an Oregon town made the cut, another example of how Oregon hotels, campsites, beaches, food and more tend to show up on these kinds of best-of lists.

The Oregon spot that landed among the adult spring break recommendations is Bend, the central Oregon town known for its scenic beauty, nearby recreational opportunities, comfortable lodging, delicious food, and more.

According to the Condé Nast Traveler article, “The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. To soak up all that nature but still get the perks of city living, head straight to Bend, Oregon (about three hours south of Portland). The town receives an annual average of 300 days of sunshine, giving visitors ample opportunities to go hiking through the Cascades or kayaking and fly fishing on the Deschutes River. Make sure you set aside some time to visit a brewery (or five) along the Bend Ale Trail.”

Bend is in eclectic company where adult spring break destinations are concerned. The Condé Nast Traveler list also includes New York City; Puerto Rico; Belize; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic; Oaxaca, Mexico; Anguilla; Holland; Kyoto, Japan; Panama City, Panama; Antigua; Bolivia; Vancouver Island, Canada; Healdsburg, California; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Grand Canyon National Park; The Azores; Miami, Florida; Black River, Jamaica; Costa Rica; Alabama’s Gulf Coast; and San Diego, California.

— Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist

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Former Florida State and Alabama wide receiver Malik Benson, who has an extra year thanks to the recent NCAA ruling on junior college players, told ESPN that he has committed to play at Oregon next year.

Benson told ESPN on Tuesday that he picked the Ducks because he was impressed with the coaching staff and was intrigued by the opportunity to play with quarterback Dante Moore, who projects as the Ducks’ starter next year.

Until the ruling on Diego Pavia’s eligibility changed the paradigm for junior college players, Benson had been set to start training for the NFL draft process.

“I’m just glad that the Lord blessed me with another opportunity and another year,” Benson told ESPN upon entering the portal. “I will not take this for granted.”

Benson began his college career at Hutchinson Community College, where he emerged as the nation’s top junior college prospect regardless of position. He played one season at Alabama, where he had 13 receptions in 14 games for 162 yards and a touchdown.

He transferred to Florida State, where he caught 25 balls for 311 yards and a touchdown this season. On his career, he averages 12.5 yards per catch.

Oregon’s receiving room lost star Tez Johnson to the NFL and is awaiting on an NFL decision from Evan Stewart, who missed the Rose Bowl with a back injury and slumped late in the year for the Ducks.

They do bring in the country’s top receiving prospect in Dakorien Moore, who is ESPN’s No. 3 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.