Isn’t life crazy sometimes? The duality of life is unbelievably mad. One minute, you’re sitting there watching your NFL dreams drift away like smoke at a backyard BBQ… and the next, you’re packing your cleats for a shot with Joe Burrow’s squad. Some players get their name called at No. 2 overall. Some drop to the 5th round. And some got to fight, scratch, and claw for scraps. But if life throws you that second chance? You best treat it like your last meal. And one hungry Coach Prime’s Buffs prodigy just got that call.
When the dust finally settled after the madness of the NFL Draft, it was official: LaVonta Bentley didn’t hear his name ring out on Day 1, 2, or 3. Not a whisper. But don’t get it twisted—Coach Prime’s dawg wasn’t about to take that L lying down. On April 28th, the Colorado Buffaloes’ official IG made it loud and clear: Bentley had been offered and accepted an invite to Joe Burrow’s Bengals rookie camp. Yeah, the Bengals who are low-key rebuilding that front seven into something meaner than a junkyard dog. Bentley might’ve gone undrafted, but he sure as hell isn’t unnoticed.
It wasn’t just some ‘we’ll call you’ kind of deal either. Bentley, after wrapping up a six-year college grind that started at Clemson and finished at Colorado, earned this shot. The former Buffs linebacker wasn’t just another warm body; he started all 25 games over 2 seasons with the Buffs. And guess what? Coach Prime himself isn’t shy when it comes to handing out compliments—and he straight-up blessed Bentley with one of the biggest endorsements you could get outside a Nike contract.
In Boulder, Bentley flipped the script. Back-to-back 50+ tackle seasons, two sacks, an interception, and a permanent chip on his shoulder. BroncosWire even came up with receipts—reportedly, Bentley also got a rookie camp offer from the Denver Broncos too. Talk about choices.
Now, the Bengals are coming off a 2024 season where their defense looked about as sturdy as a wet paper bag. The Bengals’ defense straight up robbed Joe Burrow of his MVP—man was dropping 40 a game while the defense gave up 45. Talk about blasphemy. The Bengals went heavy this off-season—adding Shemar Stewart with their 17th overall, Demetrius Knight Jr., Barrett Carter, and big ol’ Tedarrell Slaton to bulk up the front seven.
Still… there’s room for a dog like Bentley to sneak into that 53-man roster. Especially with Logan Wilson’s health being shakier than a loose shopping cart wheel.
Coach Prime’s ‘dependable’ player
When Coach Prime talks about you like you’re his own blood, you know you are legit. “He works his butt off with every day that ends with a ‘y,’” Sanders said with that classic Coach Prime twinkle. And he didn’t stop there. He called Bentley a “tough, physical, warrior-like” player—basically a guy who’s ready to throw hands on every snap. “He’s going to come play, he’s going to come to hunt,” Prime said, sounding more like he was describing a hungry lion than a linebacker. And honestly? He wasn’t wrong.
Bentley’s story is straight movie material. Started off as a reserve at Clemson—played 40 games but could never quite grab that starting spot. In 2021, though? He flashed—30 tackles, 13 in a single game against Georgia Tech. A dawg just needing the right backyard. So what did he do? Bet on himself. Transferred to Colorado, stepped into a leadership role, and never looked back.
In 2023: 68 total tackles, 40 solo tackles, nine-and-a-half tackles for loss, and five sacks. In 2024: 55 total tackles, 34 unassisted tackles, four tackles for loss, seven tackles for zero, four quarterback hurries, three third-down stops, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one fourth-down stop. Yeah, that one sure helped Colorado snag a 9–3 season and an Alamo Bowl trip.
Bentley wasn’t just another body out there at Colorado. He was the backbone. Dependable as Sunday morning pancakes. When it was ugly, when it was loud, when it was blood-in-the-water football? Bentley was the guy Coach Prime pointed to and said, ‘That’s how you do it, son.’ Well, Bentley was one of the early signs that CU’s culture flip was real.
The Bengals front seven is looking tight now. Oren Burks can help in the vet room. Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter got potential. But Bentley? He’s that old-school, show-up-early, leave-last, break-someone’s-face-on-kickoff kind of savage. And if Logan Wilson can’t stay healthy, or if the young bucks stumble out of the gates? Who knows if Bentley sneaks in, keeps his head down, and ends up on that Week 1 roster? Facts.
Life doesn’t always play fair. Not everybody gets drafted. Not everybody gets that Disney movie moment with the first-round hug and the five-figure signing bonus. But real dogs? Real dogs don’t need a stage. They just need a chance. LaVonta Bentley got his. Now he’s walking through that door with Coach Prime’s words in his ear and a lifetime of grind in his chest. The Bengals just might’ve found themselves the ultimate underdog.
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