2025 Football Roster

Jersey Number 93
Benny Patterson III
- Class:
- Freshman
- Position:
- DL
- Height:
- 6-2
- Weight:
- 270
- Hometown:
- Newburgh, Ind.
- High School:
- Castle
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
• 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
Football Closes Bowl Prep, Readies for Last Game in 2025
Tuesday, December 30
Citrus Bowl Opens New Opportunities for Wolverines
Monday, December 29
Citrus Bowl Practice in Full Swing, Coach Whittingham Talks Priorities
Sunday, December 28
Kyle Whittingham Introductory Press Conference (Dec. 28)
Sunday, December 28




