Ja'Whaun Bentley


Ja'Whaun Louis Bentley is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He played college football at Purdue. He was drafted by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

College career

Bentley started all four years at Purdue, from 2014 to 2017. He had 97 tackles including 11.5 for loss in 2017. Bentley was named as an honorable mention for the 2017 All-Big Ten Conference team. He was the defensive MVP of the 2017 Foster Farms Bowl.

Professional career

New England Patriots

Bentley was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. In the team's second preseason game, Bentley recovered a fumble forced by Adrian Clayborn and returned it 54 yards for the touchdown. His strong play in the preseason earned Bentley a starting linebacker role alongside veterans Dont'a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy. In Week 3 against the Detroit Lions, Bentley recorded his first career interception on a pass from Matthew Stafford that was intended for Luke Willson. On September 26, 2018, Bentley was placed on injured reserve, due to a torn bicep. Without Bentley, the Patriots reached Super Bowl LIII, where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3.