Jessie Bates III Named AP All-Pro
1/8/2021 7:01:00 PM | Football
The former Wake Forest safety took his game to new heights this season, earning his first All-Pro selection on Friday.
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Former Wake Forest football safety Jessie Bates III was named an NFL All-Pro by the Associated Press on Friday.
The Cincinnati Bengals' safety was placed on the second team alongside Jamal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks. This is the first time Bates III has earned All-Pro honors in his three seasons in the league.
Bates III led all NFL safeties this season with a combined 18 interceptions and pass break ups while also finishing second on his team with 109 total tackles. Additionally, he led the Bengals with 15 pass breakups and three interceptions.
Over the past three seasons, he is the only player in the NFL to have over 100-plus tackles and three interceptions during each season.
While at Wake Forest
The Fort Wayne, Ind. native was drafted in the second round by Cincinnati in 2018 after three years at Wake Forest. During his three years in Winston-Salem, Bates III developed into one of the best defensive backs in the country.
In his first season on the field, he was named a consensus Freshman All-American while also being the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up. During the 2016 season, Bates III recorded five interceptions including returning two for touchdowns. His 158 interception return yards ranked fourth nationally and led the ACC.
He used those return abilities to his advantage as a sophomore, becoming one of the most feared punt returners in the country. On his nine attempts during his final season, he averaged 17.9 yards per punt return. This included a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Belk Bowl, helping Wake Forest past Texas A&M, 55-52, in his final game as a Demon Deacon.
The Cincinnati Bengals' safety was placed on the second team alongside Jamal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks. This is the first time Bates III has earned All-Pro honors in his three seasons in the league.
Bates III led all NFL safeties this season with a combined 18 interceptions and pass break ups while also finishing second on his team with 109 total tackles. Additionally, he led the Bengals with 15 pass breakups and three interceptions.
Over the past three seasons, he is the only player in the NFL to have over 100-plus tackles and three interceptions during each season.
While at Wake Forest
The Fort Wayne, Ind. native was drafted in the second round by Cincinnati in 2018 after three years at Wake Forest. During his three years in Winston-Salem, Bates III developed into one of the best defensive backs in the country.
In his first season on the field, he was named a consensus Freshman All-American while also being the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up. During the 2016 season, Bates III recorded five interceptions including returning two for touchdowns. His 158 interception return yards ranked fourth nationally and led the ACC.
He used those return abilities to his advantage as a sophomore, becoming one of the most feared punt returners in the country. On his nine attempts during his final season, he averaged 17.9 yards per punt return. This included a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Belk Bowl, helping Wake Forest past Texas A&M, 55-52, in his final game as a Demon Deacon.
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