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Former Football: Dwight Bentley Taken By Detroit In The NFL Draft – 2nd highest UL player takenApril 27, 2012 For Immediate Release Dwight Bentley Taken By Detroit In The NFL Draft NEW YORK, N.Y. — University of Louisiana senior cornerback Dwight "Bill" Bentley has been chosen by the Detroit Lions with the 85th overall pick of the third round in the 2012 NFL Draft. Bentley becomes the second-highest Ragin’ Cajuns player selected all-time in the draft, behind only defensive back Charles Tillman, who was a second round choice (35th overall pick) by Chicago in 2003. Bentley is only the sixth UL player selected all-time in the NFL Draft, all of which have come since 2002, and the first since defensive end Hall Davis was tabbed by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round (149th pick) in 2010. “I am very happy for Dwight because his selection tonight is the result of hard work and total dedication to making himself the best player that he can be,” Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth said. “He was instrumental in the turn around that this program enjoyed this past season and I look forward to watching him play on Sunday’s this fall.” Bentley, a 5-11, 173-pound defensive back from Pahokee, Fla., was named the co-MVP of the UL defense this past year after ranking fifth on the squad with 71 tackles (53 solo). A first team All-Sun Belt choice, he started 45 career games at UL, including all 13 this past season. He totaled 232 tackles (183 solo) and seven interceptions in his career. Bentley intercepted three passes in 2011, including two in the season opener at Oklahoma State. His 38-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cowboys was one of two touchdowns he scored in 2012. One of three Sun Belt players taken on the second day of the draft, Bentley joins Arkansas State linebacker Demario Davis (3rd round, 77th pick by Jets) and FIU wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (3, 92, Indianapolis) as the league’s draft choices. Bentley will be given a chance to start for the Lions this fall. The club entered the draft needing help at cornerback, the only position they don’t have a starter returning from last season. The Lions lost cornerback Eric Wright in free agency when he signed with Tampa Bay and has every other key player back from the franchise’s first playoff team since the 1999 season. Brian McCann
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