Anthony Bennett (gridiron football)

Last updated

Anthony Bennett
No. 94     BC Lions
2025, 94, Anthony Bennett.jpg
Bennett with the BC Lions in 2025
Born: (1996-10-04) October 4, 1996 (age 28)
Weston, Florida, U.S.
Career information
StatusActive
Position(s) Defensive lineman
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight235 lb (107 kg)
College Florida Atlantic (2015–2019)
Regina (2021–2022)
High school Cypress Bay
CFL draft 2023, round: 1, pick: 8
Drafted by Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Career history
As player
2023 Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2025 Montreal Alouettes*
2025 Ottawa Redblacks
2025–present BC Lions
Career stats
Total tackles 13
Sacks 0
Forced fumbles 0
Fumble recoveries 0
Interceptions 0

Anthony Bennett (born October 4, 1996) is an American professional football defensive lineman for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played NCAA football for the Florida Atlantic Owls and U Sports football for the Regina Rams and was selected in the first round of the 2023 CFL Draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Contents

Early life

Bennett was born on October 4, 1996, in Weston, Florida. [1] His father, Charles Bennett, was drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and played three games with the Miami Dolphins in 1987 as a defensive end. [2] His mother, Patricia, who was born and raised in Canada, was a trainer and manager for the Regina Cougars basketball team. [3]

Early career

Bennett attended Cypress Bay High School, where he competed in football, shot put, and discus. Bennett entered Florida Atlantic University in 2015 and began playing for their Owls football team. [4] He totaled four tackles and a forced fumble while playing ten games in his time with Florida Atlantic. [5] After the 2019 season, Lane Kiffin left the coaching position and was replaced by Willie Taggart. Willie Taggart disliked the idea of having Bennett on the team as a redshirt senior and said, "I'm gonna recruit some other guys". Bennett left the Florida Atlantic Owls over the COVID-19-affected NCAA season. [4] [6]

Bennett moved to Canada and resumed his college career at the University of Regina, where his mother had earned an education degree. [3] With two years of U Sports eligibility remaining, [3] he joined the Regina Rams in 2021, obtaining a starter role and led the team's defensive linemen in tackles with 25. [7] In his final year of eligibility, 2022, he had career highs with 38 tackles, 12.5 TFLs and nine sacks, breaking a record for most sacks in a single season, and tying the school record for most tackles-for-loss in a single season. [8] For his performance in the 2022 season, he was named to the U Sports All-Canadian First Team and as a Canada West All-Star. [9] He finished his U Sports career with 63 total tackles, 11 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception in 14 games. [7]

Professional career

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Ranked as the third-best U Sports prospect for the 2023 CFL Draft and the 16th-best prospect overall, Bennett was chosen eighth overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, an unexpected rise in the draft order. [10] [11] He signed with the Blue Bombers three days later. [12] Bennett progressed through training camp in May and made the roster for opening day. [13] He dressed in all 18 regular season games and had eight defensive tackles and three special teams tackles. [14]

At the start of training camp in 2024, Bennett was released by the Blue Bombers on May 12, 2024. [15]

Montreal Alouettes

After remaining unsigned for the 2024 season, it was announced on February 18, 2025, that Bennett had signed with the Montreal Alouettes to a one-year contract. [16] However, he was released before the start of training camp on May 10, 2025. [17]

Ottawa Redblacks

On June 17, 2025, it was announced that Bennett had signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. [18] He played in two games where he recorded two special teams tackles before being released on July 16, 2025. [19]

BC Lions

On August 11, 2025, Bennett signed with the BC Lions and joined their practice roster. [20] On August 15, 2025, Bennett was added to the Lions' active roster. [21]

Personal life

Bennett's father, Charles, uncle, Tony, cousin, Michael, and older brother, Andrew, have all played football professionally in the NFL and CFL. [16] [22]

References

  1. ↑ "Anthony Bennett". Canadian Football League. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  2. ↑ Hobson, Russ (May 2, 2023). "Blue Bombers draft defensive end Anthony Bennett with 8th overall pick". Global News . Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Barnes, Dan (March 28, 2023). "Bennett's family ties run deep in Regina". Montreal Gazette . p. N10. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  4. 1 2 Hodge, John (March 24, 2023). "Regina DL Anthony Bennett values drills over testing at CFL Combine: 'Measurables always are overrated'". 3 Down Nation. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Anthony Bennett". Florida Atlantic Owls. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  6. ↑ Furlow, Reese (September 23, 2020). "FAU-USF football game postponed due to COVID-19, delaying Owls' season opener yet again". The Palm Beach Post . Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Anthony Bennett". Regina Rams. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  8. ↑ Allen, Taylor (May 3, 2023). "Top pick brings 'explosiveness off the edge'". Winnipeg Free Press . Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  9. ↑ Shire, Taylor (April 27, 2023). "Rams' Bennett among top prospects heading into Tuesday's CFL draft". Regina Leader-Post . Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  10. ↑ Hobson, Russ (May 2, 2023). "Blue Bombers draft defensive end Anthony Bennett with 8th overall pick". Global News . The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Matthew Bergeron takes top spot in Spring Scouting Bureau Rankings". CFL . April 21, 2023. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Regina DL Bennett among five 2023 draft picks signed by Blue Bombers". TSN . The Canadian Press. May 5, 2023. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  13. ↑ Wyman, Ted (May 25, 2023). "BOMBERS ROOKIE DIARY: Hard to contain excitement for first pro pre-season game". Winnipeg Sun . Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Anthony Bennett". CFL . Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Blue Bombers release 2023 first-round CFL Draft pick, Canadian DL Anthony Bennett". Canadian Football League. May 12, 2024.
  16. 1 2 "Alouettes sign former first-rounder Anthony Bennett". Montreal Alouettes. February 18, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Training Camp Notebook: A new beginning". Montreal Alouettes. May 11, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Redblacks transactions: June 17, 2025". Ottawa Redblacks. June 17, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Ottawa Redblacks release former first-round CFL draft pick Anthony Bennett". 3DownNation. July 16, 2025.
  20. ↑ Baker, Matt (August 11, 2025). "Lions Sign Veterans Anthony Bennett, Celestin Haba & Hergy Mayala". BC Lions. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  21. ↑ "BC Lions Transactions". BC Lions. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Regina Rams defensive lineman Bennett looking forward to practices at CFL combine". The Globe and Mail . The Canadian Press. March 23, 2023. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
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