Benton Whitley Explained

Benton Whitley
Current Team:New York Giants
Number:48
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:12 February 1999
Birth Place:Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:260
High School:Minnechaug Regional
(Wilbraham, Massachusetts)
College:Holy Cross
Undraftedyear:2022
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
  • 3× First-team All-PL (2019–2021)
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue4:1
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:1
Statlabel6:Interceptions
Statlabel7:Defensive touchdowns
Pfr:W/WhitBe00

Benton Whitley (born February 12, 1999) is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Holy Cross.

College career

Whitley played for the Holy Cross Crusaders for five seasons.[1] He became a starter as a junior and used the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and returned to Holy Cross for a fifth season.[2] Whitley finished his college career with 111 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks in 42 games played.[3]

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams

Whitley signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022.[4] He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[5] [6]

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Whitley off the Rams' practice squad to their active roster on September 21, 2022.[7] He was waived on October 12, 2022.[8] He was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad two days later.[9]

Minnesota Vikings

On October 19, 2022, the Minnesota Vikings signed Whitley off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.[10] He was waived on November 19, 2022,[11] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[12] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 16, 2023.[13] He was waived on August 29, 2023, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[14] [15] He was elevated to the active roster on September 9, 2023 for the week 1 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[16]

New York Giants

On November 21, 2023, Whitley was signed by the New York Giants off the Vikings practice squad.[17]

On March 15, 2024, the Giants resigned whitley on a 1-year, $985,000 contract.[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Local Prospect Spotlight: Benton Whitley, DE, Holy Cross. Kevin. Tame, Jr.. SI.com. March 8, 2022. September 30, 2022.
  2. Web site: Toland . Jennifer . August 18, 2021 . Holy Cross defensive lineman Benton Whitley pro-level power, ability college football Springfield . September 30, 2022 . Telegram & Gazette.
  3. Web site: Chiefs to sign DE Benton Whitley from Rams practice squad. Charles. Goldman. Chiefs Wire. USA Today. September 21, 2022. September 30, 2022.
  4. Web site: Rams sign UDFA Benton Whitley, Minnechaug grad tells local athletes to 'Stay on your grind ... there is so much talent in Western Mass.'. Gage. Nutter. MassLive.com. May 4, 2022. September 26, 2022.
  5. Web site: Rams announce final roster cuts, including A.J. Arcuri and Benton Whitley. Cameron. DaSilva. Rams Wire. USA Today. August 30, 2022. September 29, 2022.
  6. Web site: Klein . Gary . August 31, 2022 . Rams keep QB Bryce Perkins, three undrafted rookies on roster . September 29, 2022 . Los Angeles Times.
  7. Web site: Chiefs sign Benton Whitley, Minnechaug alum will be on active roster. Gage. Nutter. MassLive.com. September 22, 2022. September 29, 2022.
  8. Web site: Chiefs Promote DT Taylor Stallworth, Sign RB Wayne Gallman to Practice Squad. Matt. Derrick. ChiefsDigest.com. October 12, 2022. October 12, 2022.
  9. Web site: Goldman . Charles . September 21, 2022 . Chiefs to sign DE Benton Whitley from Rams practice squad . March 11, 2023 . Chiefs Wire . en-US.
  10. Web site: Williams . Charean . October 19, 2022 . Vikings sign Benton Whitley off Chiefs' practice squad . October 20, 2022 . ProFootballTalk . en-US.
  11. Web site: Gates . Christopher . November 19, 2022 . Vikings sign TE Nick Muse to active roster, elevate Tay Gowan for Sunday . March 11, 2023 . Daily Norseman . en.
  12. Web site: Tomasson . Chris . November 21, 2022 . Vikings re-sign OLB Benton Whitley to practice squad . March 11, 2023 . Twin Cities . en-US.
  13. Web site: Peters . Craig . January 16, 2023 . Vikings Sign 6 Players to Futures Contracts . March 11, 2023 . Vikings.com.
  14. Web site: Peters . Craig . August 29, 2023 . Vikings Set Initial 53-Man Roster for 2023 . October 24, 2023 . Vikings.com.
  15. Web site: Peters . Craig . August 30, 2023 . Vikings Sign 12 Players to 2023 Practice Squad . 2023-12-04 . Vikings.com.
  16. Web site: Vikings Sign RB Myles Gaskin to Practice Squad, Elevate Him for Week 1 Vs. Bucs. Peters, Craig. Vikings.com. September 9, 2023.
  17. Web site: Fennelly . John . Giants are signing LB Benton Whitley off of Vikings' practice squad . Giants Wire . November 21, 2023 . 22 November 2023.
  18. Web site: Benton. Dan . Giants re-sign LB Benton Whitley. Giants Wire . March 15, 2024 . 15 March 2024.