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

Benton Whitley
No. 48 – New York Giants
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1999-02-12) February 12, 1999 (age 25)
Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school:Minnechaug Regional
(Wilbraham, Massachusetts)
College:Holy Cross
Undrafted:2022
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
  • 3× First-team All-PL (2019–2021)
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

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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

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+58 in
(1.90 m)
257 lb
(117 kg)
34+12 in
(0.88 m)
9+78 in
(0.25 m)
4.80 s 1.63 s 2.69 s 4.41 s 7.19 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)
10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)
24 reps
All values from Pro Day[4]

Los Angeles Rams

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Whitley signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022.[5] He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[6][7]

Kansas City Chiefs

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The Kansas City Chiefs signed Whitley off the Rams' practice squad to their active roster on September 21, 2022.[8] He was waived on October 12, 2022.[9] He was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad two days later.[10]

Minnesota Vikings

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On October 19, 2022, the Minnesota Vikings signed Whitley off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.[11] He was waived on November 19, 2022,[12] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[13] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 16, 2023.[14] He was waived on August 29, 2023, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16] He was elevated to the active roster on September 9, 2023 for the week 1 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[17]

New York Giants

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On November 21, 2023, Whitley was signed by the New York Giants off the Vikings practice squad.[18]

On March 15, 2024, the Giants re-signed Whitley on a one-year, $985,000 contract.[19] He was waived on October 5, and re-signed to the practice squad.

References

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