{{Short description|American football player (born 2001)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Tatum Bethune | image = | caption = | current_team = San Francisco 49ers | number = 48 | position = Linebacker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|2|19}} | birth_place = Miami, Florida, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lb = 230 | high_school = Miami Central Senior (FL) | college = UCF (2019–2021)<br>Florida State (2022–2023) | draftyear = 2024 | draftround = 7 | draftpick = 251 | pastteams = * San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present) | status = Active | highlights = * Third-team All-ACC (2023) | statleague = NFL | statseason = 2025 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 101 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = 1.0 | statlabel3 = Forced fumbles | statvalue3 = | statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue4 = 2 | statlabel5 = Pass deflections | statvalue5 = 4 | statlabel6 = Interceptions | statvalue6 = |pfr = B/BethTa00 }} '''Tatum Bethune''' (born February 19, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCF Knights and Florida State Seminoles.
==Early life== Bethune's great-great-great aunt is Mary McLeod Bethune, the founder of Bethune-Cookman College. In addition, Bethune attended Miami Central Senior High School. He was rated as a three-star recruit where he committed to play for the UCF Knights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Miami Central LB Tatum Bethune commits to UCF |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2018/05/25/miami-central-lb-tatum-bethune-commits-to-ucf/ |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=May 25, 2018 |access-date=February 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Football Recruiting - Tatum Bethune - Player Profiles |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/combine/_/id/227542/tatum-bethune |website=ESPN.com |access-date=February 27, 2024}}</ref>
==College career== === UCF === In Bethune's first two seasons in 2019 and 2020, he amassed 77 tackles with seven and a half tackles for a loss, two and a half sacks, three pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tatum Bethune College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tatum-bethune-1.html |access-date=July 1, 2024 |website=Sports Reference}}</ref> During the 2021 season, Bethune notched 108 tackles with five and a half being for a loss, two sacks, and two interceptions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weiler |first1=Curt |title=UCF transfer Tatum Bethune brings experience, leadership to Florida State linebacker room |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/fsu/football/2022/01/26/florida-state-fsu-football-tatum-bethune-ucf-transfer-linebacker-miami-auburn-randy-shannon-norvell/6632073001/ |work=Tallahassee Democrat |date=January 26, 2022 |access-date=February 28, 2024}}</ref> After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Bethune decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pollard |first1=Ashton |title=Top UCF linebacker enters transfer portal |url=https://www.on3.com/news/top-ucf-knights-linebacker-enters-transfer-portal-tatum-bethune/ |website=On3.com |date=December 31, 2021 |access-date=February 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Beede |first1=Jason |title=UCF linebacker Tatum Bethune enters transfer portal |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2022/01/01/ucf-linebacker-tatum-bethune-enters-transfer-portal/ |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=February 27, 2024}}</ref>
During Bethune's career with UCF, he played in 35 games with 17 starts as he recorded 185 tackles with 13 being for a loss, four and a half sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kassim |first1=Ehsan |title=Florida State football: Linebacker Tatum Bethune announces return to Seminoles next season |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/fsu/football/2022/12/08/fsu-football-linebacker-tatum-bethune-announces-return-to-seminoles/69712317007/ |work=Tallahassee Democrat |date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=February 29, 2024}}</ref>
=== Florida State === Bethune decided to transfer to play for the Florida State Seminoles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murschel |first1=Matt |title=FSU lands UCF linebacker transfer Tatum Bethune |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2022/01/05/fsu-lands-ucf-linebacker-transfer-tatum-bethune/ |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=January 5, 2022 |access-date=February 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Weiler |first1=Curt |title=Florida State football lands commitment from UCF linebacker transfer Tatum Bethune |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/fsu/football/2022/01/04/florida-state-fsu-football-recruiting-transfer-tatum-bethune-seminoles-linebacker-ucf-randy-shannon/9096588002/ |work=Tallahassee Democrat |date=January 4, 2022 |access-date=February 28, 2024}}</ref> Before the start of the 2022 season, Bethune underwent surgery on his groin.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weiler |first1=Curt |title=After groin surgery, Tatum Bethune ready to be Florida State's anchor at linebacker |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/fsu/football/2022/07/28/florida-state-fsu-football-seminoles-preseason-practice-camp-tatum-bethune-dj-lundy-linebackers-lbs/10141627002/ |work=Tallahassee Democrat |date=July 28, 2022 |access-date=February 28, 2024}}</ref> In week six of the 2022 season, Bethune rallied 14 tackles with two and a half being for a loss.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lewis |first1=Dustin |title=Lawrance Toafili, Tatum Bethune discuss why FSU came up short on Saturday night |url=https://www.si.com/college/fsu/football/watch-lawrance-toafili-tatum-bethune-discuss-why-fsu-came-up-short-on-saturday-night |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=February 28, 2024}}</ref> Tatum finished the 2022 season starting in eleven games where he made 84 tackles with nine and a half for a loss, three sacks, three pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lewis |first1=Dustin |title=Florida State Defenders Tatum Bethune, Fentrell Cypress II Appear On Preseason Watch Lists |url=https://www.si.com/college/fsu/football/florida-state-defenders-tatum-bethune-fentrell-cypress-ii-appear-on-preseason-watch-lists |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=August 10, 2023 |access-date=February 28, 2024}}</ref> In week one of the 2023 season, Bethune notched nine tackles including a massive hit on LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, as he helped the Seminoles to a win over LSU.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Mire |first1=Tommy |title=FSU Linebacker Tatum Bethune Details Massive Hit on LSU's Jayden Daniels |url=https://www.si.com/college/fsu/football/fsu-linebacker-tatum-bethune-talks-massive-hit-on-lsus-jayden-daniels |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 6, 2023 |access-date=February 28, 2024}}</ref> During the 2023 season, Bethune totaled 70 tackles with five and a half being for a loss, three pass deflections, and an interception. For this performance he was named third team all-ACC.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Malcom |first1=Robert |title=FSU Linebacker Tatum Bethune Sends Farewell Message To Fans As He Transitions To NFL |url=https://www.si.com/college/fsu/football/fsu-linebacker-tatum-bethune-sends-farewell-message-to-fans-as-he-transitions-to-nfl |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=January 2024 |access-date=February 28, 2024}}</ref> After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Bethune decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Peery |first1=Wade |title=Florida State LB Tatum Bethune declares for 2024 NFL Draft |url=https://www.on3.com/college/florida-state-seminoles/news/florida-state-lb-tatum-bethune-declares-for-2024-nfl-draft/ |website=On3.com |date=December 31, 2023 |access-date=February 29, 2024}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 11 1/2 | weight = 229 | dash = 4.77 | ten split = 1.63 | twenty split = 2.75 | shuttle = 4.35 | cone drill = 7.03 | vertical = 30.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 7 | bench = 19 | arm span = 32 3/8 | hand span = 10 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 6 1/4 | note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reuter |first=Chad |last2=Zierlein |first2=Lance |title=Tatum Bethune Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tatum-bethune/32004245-5433-4096-9cd3-8690d0b53217 |access-date=March 23, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1030689&DraftYear=2024 |title=2024 NFL Draft Scout Tatum Bethune College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 23, 2024}}</ref> }}
Bethune was selected in the seventh round (251st overall) of the 2024 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/tatum-bethune-2024-nfl-draft-linebacker-lb-florida-state-central-florida|publisher=San Francisco 49ers|title=49ers Select LB Tatum Bethune with the No. 251 Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft|date=April 27, 2024|author=McDonald, Briana}}</ref> On November 23, 2024, Bethune was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tatum Bethune Placed on IR, Gipson Sr. Promoted to Active Roster and More Moves Ahead of #SFvsGB|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/tatum-bethune-placed-on-ir-gipson-sr-promoted-to-active-roster-and-more-moves-ahead-of-gbvssf|website=49ers.com|date=November 23, 2024|access-date=November 24, 2024}}</ref> On December 30, Bethune was activated from injured reserve.<ref>{{cite news|title=49ers Place Aaron Banks on IR, Activate Tatum Bethune from IR; Other Roster Moves Ahead of #DETvsSF|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-place-aaron-banks-on-ir-activate-tatum-bethune-from-ir-other-roster-moves-ahead-of-detvssf|website=49ers.com|date=December 30, 2024|access-date=December 31, 2024}}</ref>
Bethune entered the 2025 season as a backup linebacker. He was thrust into a starter role in Week 7 following an injury to Fred Warner. He finished the season second on the team with 94 tackles through 14 games and eight starts. On January 7, 2026, Bethune was placed on injured reserve.<ref>{{cite web|title=49ers Promote LB Eric Kendricks, Make Other Moves Ahead of Wild Card Matchup|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-promote-lb-eric-kendricks-and-other-moves-ahead-of-wild-card-matchup|website=49ers.com|date=January 7, 2026|access-date=January 7, 2026}}</ref>
==NFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2"| Legend |- | '''Bold''' | Career high |}
=== Regular season === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Team ! colspan="2" | Games ! colspan="5" | Tackles ! colspan="4" | Interceptions ! colspan="4" | Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! PD !! Int !! Yds !! TD !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! TD |- !2024 !! SF | 11 || 1 || 7 || 1 || 6 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''2''' || 0 || 0 |- !2025 !! SF | '''14''' || '''8''' || '''94''' || '''39''' || '''55''' || '''1.0''' || '''4''' || '''4''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BethTa00.htm Career] ! 25 !! 9 !! 101 !! 40 !! 61 !! 1.0 !! 4 !! 4 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 2 !! 0 !! 0 |}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.49ers.com/team/players-roster/tatum-bethune/ San Francisco 49ers bio] *[https://ucfknights.com/sports/football/roster/season/2020/player/tatum-bethune UCF Knights bio] *[https://seminoles.com/sports/football/roster/tatum-bethune/5045 Florida State Seminoles bio]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bethune, Tatum}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Players of American football from Miami Category:Miami Central Senior High School alumni Category:American football linebackers Category:Florida State Seminoles football players Category:UCF Knights football players Category:San Francisco 49ers players