Tatum Bethune

Tatum Bethune's Biography

Born on February 19th, 2001, Tatum Bethune has already marked his place in American professional football as a standout linebacker. Currently, he plays for the esteemed San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL), wearing the colors of the West Coast proudly. However, to understand Bethune’s journey to the golden gates of San Francisco, we must look back far before the 49ers and delve into the chapter of his college career, high school history, and the seeds of his athletic accomplishments.

Bethune’s football journey began in earnest at Miami Central Senior High School, where he was rated as a three-star recruit. With a promising future ahead, he committed to play for the UCF Knights, kicking off his collegiate journey. Bethune’s first two seasons with the Knights in 2019 and 2020 were characterized by his aggressive defensive moves. He amassed a total of 77 tackles, seven and a half of which were tackles for a loss, while achieving two and a half sacks. He also tallied three pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble, proving his versatility and impact on the field.

The following 2021 season, Bethune upped his game even further, notching an impressive 108 tackles. Five and a half of these were for a loss. He also contributed two sacks and two interceptions to his team’s efforts. After the conclusion of this breakout season, Bethune decided to make a strategic move: He entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Enriched with his experiences with UCF, Bethune had played in 35 games with 17 starts at this stage. He had recorded an astonishing 185 tackles, 13 of those instances being for a loss. His contributions also included four and a half sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

After his successful run with the Knights, Bethune decided to transfer to the Florida State Seminoles. Before the ushering of the 2022 season, an unexpected hurdle presented itself as Bethune had to undergo surgery on his groin. Despite this setback, he rebounded quickly to rally 14 tackles with two and a half being for a loss by week six of the 2022 season.

Unfazed by his temporary physical setbacks, Bethune finished the 2022 season in remarkable form, starting in eleven games. He made 84 tackles, nine and a half of which were for a loss. He also contributed three sacks, three pass deflections, and a crucial fumble recovery. An exciting highlight of the 2023 season was in week one when, amid a tense match, Bethune tenaciously notched nine tackles, which included a critical hit on LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. This massive display of his defensive prowess was instrumental in steering the Seminoles to a humbling victory over LSU.

Over the course of the 2023 season, Bethune relentlessly maintained his high standard of play, totaling 70 tackles. More than five of these were for a loss. He seized three pass deflections and made a show-stopping interception, glowingly marking his performance for the season. Recognizing his exceptional contribution, he was named on the third team all-ACC.

As the thrilling 2023 season concluded, Bethune, driven by surpassing his own records and escalating professional ambitions, decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft. His efforts bore fruit when he was selected in the seventh round (251st overall) of the 2024 NFL draft by none other than the San Francisco 49ers. However, the smooth course of his professional journey hit a sudden snag when on November 23, 2024, Bethune was placed on the injured reserve list.

Despite the setbacks and challenges along the way, Tatum Bethune’s journey has been one of tenacity and grit. Each game he played, every tackle, every interception is a testament to his commitment to the sport he loves. As he gears up for a return, with the golden red of the 49ers on his back and a promising career laid out before him, his story is far from over. It’s just at halftime, with a lot more game to play.