Benny Patterson III

At Michigan:

• One-time letter winner (2025)

Freshman (2025)

• Appeared in five games on special teams and played off the edge in two to earn his first varsity letter

• Named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week for his role in preparing the offense for Nebraska

• Made his collegiate debut contributing on special teams against New Mexico (Aug. 30)

• Played as an edge and on special teams against Central Michigan (Sept. 13)

• Contributed on special teams at Nebraska (Sept. 20), against Wisconsin (Oct. 4)

• Contributed along the defensive line against Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl (Dec. 31)

Prep:

• Attended Castle High School (2025) coached by Doug Hurt

• As a senior, helped lead the Knights to a 9-3 mark and reach the regional playoff round

• Part of a 7-4 squad in 2023 and an 8-5 team in 2022

• Team finished with a combined 24-12 record over his three seasons

Key Statistics:

• As a senior in 2024, credited with 70 tackles including 14.0 for loss with 7.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one touchdown across 12 games

• In the postseason, recorded a strip-sack and returned the fumble 67 yards for a touchdown

• Collected 70 tackles with 13.0 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks with two forced fumbles and one recovery across 10 games as a junior in 2023

• Notched 41 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss, and 2.0 sacks over 13 games as a sophomore in 2022

Honors and Rankings:

• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of four stars; the No. 342 overall player nationally, the No. 36 defensive lineman and the No. 6 player in the state of Indiana

• Named a three-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 54 defensive lineman and the No. 10 player in the state of Indiana

• Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 92 defensive tackle and the No. 22 player in the state of Indiana

• Rivals.com three-star prospect, the No. 48 defensive tackle in the nation

• On3.com three-star consensus prospect, the No. 298 overall player, the No. 25 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 7 player in Indiana

• On3.com four-star prospect, the No. 77 overall player, the No. 7 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 2 player in Indiana

• Prepstar ranking of four stars, the No. 338 player in the country

• IFCA 5A All-State honoree in 2023

• Two-time SIAC All-Conference (2023-24)

Personal:

• Benny Patterson was born May 24, 2007

• Son of Benny Patterson Jr.

• Shares a name with his father and grandfather; Benny Patterson III