Michael Bennett (defensive tackle, born 1993) should not be confused with Michael Bennett (defensive lineman, born 1985).
| Michael Bennett | |
| Number: | 96, 93 |
| Position: | Defensive tackle |
| Birth Date: | 24 February 1993 |
| Birth Place: | Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 2 |
| Weight Lbs: | 287 |
| High School: | Centerville (Centerville, Ohio) |
| College: | Ohio State (2011–2014) |
| Draftyear: | 2015 |
| Draftround: | 6 |
| Draftpick: | 180 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Highlights: |
|
| Statlabel1: | Total tackles |
| Statvalue1: | 16 |
| Statlabel2: | Sacks |
| Statvalue2: | 0.5 |
| Pfr: | B/BennMi01 |
Benjamin Michael Bennett IV (born February 24, 1993) is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at Ohio State.
Bennett attended Centerville High School in Centerville, Ohio, where he was a first-team Division I All-Ohio performer who played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was a two-time Greater Western Ohio Conference player of the year and served as team captain for coach Ron Ullery's 2010 Centerville team that went 9–3 and reached the regional semifinals.[1]
Bennett was also a top competitor in track & field. In 2011, Bennett’s final throw of 19.48 meters (63 feet, 11 inches) in the shot put at the Division I track and field meet was enough to vault him to a state title at his future home on the Ohio State University campus. He followed up with a second-place finish in the discus throw with a toss of 56.50 meters (185 feet, 4 inches).[2] He had top-throws of 19.80 meters (64 feet, 11.5 inches) in the shot put, 59.83 meters (196 feet, 3 inches) in the discus pand 53.21 meters (174 feet, 6 inches) in the hammer at Centerville.[3]
As a true freshman in 2011, Bennett played in all 13 games, recording 17 tackles and three quarterback sacks. As a sophomore in 2012, Bennett played in only eight games due to injury. As a junior in 2013, Bennett started all 13 games, recording 44 tackles and 7.5 sacks.[4] [5] [6]
Bennett, who was unable to work out at the 2015 NFL Combine due to injury, pulled up on his 40-yard dash attempt at Ohio State's Pro Day with a hamstring problem. The injury forced him to withdraw from the other on-field drills.
On May 2, 2015, Bennett was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 180th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft.[7] In 13 games of his rookie season, Bennett recorded ten tackles and half a sack.[8]
On September 3, 2016, Bennett was placed on injured reserve.[9]
On September 19, 2017, Bennett was again placed on injured reserve after suffering a pectoral injury.[10]
On September 11, 2018, Bennett was released by the Jaguars.[11]
On October 2, 2018, Bennett signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[12] He was waived on October 30, 2018.[13] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on January 10, 2019.[14]
On July 22, 2019, Bennett suffered a dislocated ankle and was placed on injured reserve.[15]