SFF • LB • #48
A three-star recruit out of Miami Central HS, Bethune (5’114/229) saw playing time in eight games his freshman year at UCF before sliding into a starting WLB/MLB role in 2020, accruing 57 tackles, 7.0 TFL and 22 stops. He moved to MLB full-time and came of age in 2021, leading the team with 108 tackles and 42 stops while slashing his missed tackle rate from 22 percent to 10 percent and receiving Second Team All-AAC. Bethune then transferred to Florida State, going on to make 21 starts at MLB while posting a team-high 70 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and a solid 76th percentile PFF defensive grade in 2023. The third-team All-ACC MLB is a downhill run defender who shoots gaps instinctively, gets his hat to the ball, and makes violent tackles in the backfield. His reads were consistent and accurate which contributes to him being one of the better pure run defenders in this class. In the pass game, he can usually stay with tight ends and bigger backs, allowing completions on just 13-of-26 targets for 90 receiving yards this year, however, his awareness in zone coverage is lacking at times. Bethune projects as someone who can contribute rotational snaps and special teams play immediately, but may be limited long-term due to his average athleticism and advanced age.
9 months ago
April 27, 2024 11:01 PM
