Brenden Bates
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Brenden Bates
| image =
| image_size =
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| current_team = Cleveland Browns
| number = 82
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|10|17}}
| birth_place = Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 255
| high_school = Moeller
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
| college = Kentucky (2018–2023)
| undraftedyear = 2024
| pastteams =
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
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| pfr = BateBr00
}}
Brenden Bates (born October 17, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats and was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in {{NFL Year|2024}}.
Early life
Bates was born on October 17, 1999, in Cincinnati, Ohio.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/brenden-bates-player-bio|work=Fox Sports|title=Brenden Bates}}{{Cite web|url=https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/player/brenden-bates/|publisher=Kentucky Wildcats|title=Brenden Bates|date=December 19, 2017 }} Both his parents, his two siblings, and his grandfather each played collegiate sports. He attended Moeller High School in Cincinnati where he played football, basketball, and competed in track and field. In football, he was twice named first-team All-Greater Catholic League and had 17 receptions for 305 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior.
Bates was selected for the national team at the International Bowl. He was ranked a four-star recruit and one of the top tight ends nationally.{{Cite news|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2017/03/10/uk-lands-cincinnati-prep-te-brenden-bates-2018-class/99000084/|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|title=UK lands Cincinnati prep TE Brenden Bates for 2018 class|date=March 10, 2017|author=Hale, Jon}} In addition to his pass catching abilities, he was also considered a top blocker; he told the Lexington Herald-Leader that "I take pride in blocking. I just love moving people against their will."{{Cite news|url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article172437947.html|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|url-access=subscription|title=Top UK football commitment Brenden Bates loves 'moving people against their will' |date=September 10, 2017|author=Roberts, Ben}} He committed to play college football for the Kentucky Wildcats.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wkyt.com/content/sports/UK-football-gets-commit-from-four-star-tight-end-Brenden-Bates-415914313.html|publisher=WKYT-TV|title=UK football gets commitment from four-star tight end Brenden Bates|date=March 10, 2017|author=Howard, Lee K.}}
College career
As a true freshman at Kentucky in 2018, Bates redshirted, appearing in two games.{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/Article/brenden-bates-announces-return-for-sixth-season-at-uk-202217478/|publisher=247Sports|title=Brenden Bates announces return for sixth season at UK|date=January 5, 2023|author=Gershon, Aaron}} The following season, he appeared in 13 games on the special teams unit.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/kentucky/football/tight-end-brenden-bates-returning-sixth-season-kentucky|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=Tight End Brenden Bates Returning for Sixth Season at Kentucky|date=January 5, 2023|author=Shelton, Hunter}} He played in only six games in 2020 due to injury, making his first career catch that year. In 2021, he was a starter in six games and totaled 11 catches for 70 yards, including his first collegiate touchdown. He recorded 10 receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown during the 2022 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-kentucky/2023/08/05/kentucky-tight-ends-brenden-bates-josh-kattus-video-media-day/70535575007/|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|title=Former Moeller stars Brenden Bates and Josh Kattus ask the hard questions at UK media day|date=August 5, 2023|author=Brown, Kyle}} He returned for a final season in 2023, as all players were given an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://kentucky.rivals.com/news/brenden-bates-opts-for-another-year-at-uk|website=Rivals.com|title=Brenden Bates opts for another year at UK|author=Rowland, Justin|date=January 5, 2023}} In his final year, he caught four passes for 89 yards.{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/kentucky/article/kentucky-football-2024-nfl-draft-undrafted-free-agents-brenden-bates-tayvion-robinson-jeremy-flax--231127545/|publisher=247Sports|title=Three Wildcats sign NFL deals as undrafted free agents |author=Fisher, Chris|date=April 28, 2024}} He finished his collegiate career having recorded 26 catches for 272 yards and two touchdowns, while having started 25 of the 58 games in which he appeared. He was invited to the 2024 Hula Bowl all-star game.{{Cite web|url=https://ukathletics.com/news/2024/01/10/three-wildcats-to-play-saturday-in-hula-bowl/|publisher=Kentucky Wildcats|title=Three Wildcats To Play Saturday in Hula Bowl|date=January 10, 2024}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 3/8
| weight = 246
| dash = 4.68
| ten split = 1.70
| twenty split = 2.82
| shuttle = 4.47
| cone drill = 7.10
| vertical = 33.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 2
| bench = 21
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 9
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1027603&DraftYear=2024 |title=Brenden Bates College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=September 29, 2024}}
}}
=Chicago Bears=
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Bates signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. He was a standout performer in preseason, catching six passes for 100 yards.{{Cite news|url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bears/2024/08/28/bears-do-not-claim-anyone-off-waivers-lose-brenden-bates-to-jets/74983053007/|newspaper=USA Today|title=Bears do not claim anyone off waivers, lose TE Brenden Bates to the Jets|author=Sugrue, Brendan|date=August 28, 2024}} He was waived on August 27, as part of the roster cuts.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears reach 53-man roster limit|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-reach-53-man-roster-limit-2024|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 27, 2024}}
=New York Jets=
One day after being waived by the Bears, Bates was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-claim-brenden-bates-waive-jason-brownlee-08-28-24|publisher=New York Jets|title=Jets Claim TE Brenden Bates, Waive WR Jason Brownlee |author=Greenberg, Ethan|date=August 28, 2024}} He was released on October 17, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.{{cite web |last1=Naughton |first1=Glenn |title=Jets cut Ties With TE Brenden Bates; Firkser up Next? |url=https://www.jetnation.com/2024/10/18/jets-cut-ties-with-te-brenden-bates-firkser-up-next/ |website=Jet Nation |access-date=October 18, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Greenberg |first1=Ethan |title=Jets Sign TE Anthony Firkser |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-anthony-firkser-10-19-2024 |website=newyorkjets.com |access-date=October 20, 2024}}
=Cleveland Browns=
On December 18, 2024, the Cleveland Browns signed Bates to their active roster off the Jets practice squad.{{cite web|title=Browns place RB Nick Chubb on injured reserve|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-place-rb-nick-chubb-on-injured-reserve-x1637|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=December 18, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/player/brenden-bates/ Kentucky Wildcats bio]
- [https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/players-roster/brenden-bates/ New York Jets bio]
{{Cleveland Browns roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bates, Brenden}}
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:Players of American football from Cincinnati
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Moeller High School alumni
Category:Kentucky Wildcats football players
Category:Chicago Bears players