Anthony Bennett (gridiron football)

Anthony Bennett (born October 4, 1996) is an American professional football defensive lineman who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 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 Winnipeg.

Early life
Bennett was born on October 4, 1996, in Weston, Florida. 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. His mother, Patricia, who was born and raised in Canada, was a trainer and manager for the Regina Cougars basketball team.

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. He totaled four tackles and a forced fumble while playing ten games in his time with Florida Atlantic. 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.

Bennett moved to Canada and resumed his college career at the University of Regina, where his mother had earned an education degree. With two years of U Sports eligibility remaining, he joined the Regina Rams in 2021, obtaining a starter role and led the team's defensive linemen in tackles with 25. 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. 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. He finished his U Sports career with 63 total tackles, 11 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception in 14 games.

Professional career
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. He signed with the Blue Bombers three days later. Bennett progressed through training camp in May and made the roster for opening day. He dressed in all 18 regular season games and had eight defensive tackles and three special teams tackles.

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

Personal life
Bennett's uncle, Tony, cousin, Michael, and his older brother, Andrew, have all played football professionally in the NFL and CFL.