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Over 20 players will take part in the Cincinnati Bengals' rookie minicamp on May 9, but not all of them will be under contract or control by the club. Rookie minicamp is also an opportunity for players to earn an offseason roster spot as a tryout player.
Cincinnati has invited at least one undrafted free agent rookie to minicamp. Former Colorado linebacker LaVonta Bentley has accepted his invite according to the team's social media pages.
Bentley started most of the last two years for the Buffaloes. His 20-game start streak is actually the longest on the team as of right now. Before he arrived in Boulder, Bentley played four years at Clemson, his original school. Both of the programs Bentley played for gave him clear connections to Cincinnati as he looks to start his NFL career.
LaVonta Bentley's connections with Bengals players and a former coach
Playing at Clemson from 2019-22, Bentley started games behind defensive end Myles Murphy during his second and third year with the Tigers and alongside fellow linebacker Barrett Carter for his last two years. Murphy was the Bengals' first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Carter was their fourth-round pick from last week's draft.
It's possible Bentley stood out when Cincinnati scouts and coaches watched the tape on the two players who were eventually drafted by the Bengals. All three played together from 2021-22.
Once Bentley left for Colorado, the Bengals could've utilized another connection at their disposal. Robert Livingston, Cincinnati's safeties coach from 2016-23, became the Buffaloes' defensive coordinator in 2024 and coached Bentley during his final collegiate season. If the Bengals wanted a direct source's take on Bentley's play, work ethic, and anything else of note, they could've easily have given their former assistant coach a ring.
All of this wasn't enough for the Bengals to outright agree to terms on a UDFA deal, but he will get the chance at that opportunity when he joins all the rookies on team next month.
More must-reads:
- Steelers receive massive Aaron Rodgers injury update ahead of Bears game
- Cowboys' Jerry Jones has made a decision about George Pickens
- The 'NFL QB rushing TD leaders' quiz
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