He registered four tackles and a sack in 10 games played.īennett is the fifth member of his family to make it to the pros. 1 football program Florida Atlantic University. Prior to his two seasons with the Rams, Bennett spent 2015-19 with NCAA Div. He also tied a school record for tackles for a loss in a season with 10.5. I feel like I’m home.”īennett set a Regina single-season record with eight sacks in 2022 en route to being named an All-Canadian and Canada West all-star.

“It’s so funny because, in my head, I was just like ‘Oh, man, if we’re together, me and him, we’re going to cause some havoc on some quarterbacks.’ I’m excited, I’m fired up. I watched his game, I aspire to be that,” said the 6-3, 230-pound Bennett. Walters compared his personality to another defensive end on the team - Willie Jefferson. We’ve got a good team right now and he’s going to come in and we’re worried about winning right now.”īennett carries that energy off the field as well. “But he plays with energy, he plays with aggression. It’s just one of the factors,” said Walters. “We talked about his age, but it is what it is. “Mike really wanted to have more versatility with regards to guys being able to help out on special teams and Anthony was the one, when we put his numbers up against the linebackers, he was one of the more athletic defenders.”Īt 26 years of age, Bennett - who hails from Weston, Fla., but has Canadian eligibility due to his mother being from Regina - isn’t your typical rookie.īlue Bombers top draft pick Anthony Bennett. “Anthony certainly provides that explosiveness off the edge, with the ability to play special teams - I think that’s what separated him and, particularly, with our head coach,” said Walters. Although they didn’t expect to see Bennett still on the board, the Bombers were confident they were going to find someone to add to their trenches. General manager Kyle Walters was determined to grab a defensive lineman in the first round. “I know the coach is a man of his word with what he’s saying and what he’s preaching, and I can’t wait. Bennett’s family threw him a draft party at a local sports bar called Jersey’s and surprised him by inviting old friends, teammates and teachers to celebrate.īlue Bombers General Manager Kyle Walters said draft pick Anthony Bennett plays with energy and aggression. I (took that to) heart,” Bennett told reporters in a conference call from Miami, Fla., on Wednesday. “Coach (Mike O’Shea) said himself, ‘I don’t think you’re going to drop this low, but if you do we will most certainly will get you.’ That stuck with me. That’s exactly what happened as the Bombers made the University of Regina defensive end the eighth overall pick in Tuesday night’s 2023 CFL Draft. Free Press 101: How we practice journalismĪnthony Bennett didn’t expect to wake up Wednesday morning as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

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