#ProDeacs Profiles: Jessie Bates III
2/9/2021 9:32:00 AM | Football
The third-year pro from Wake Forest had a record-setting season for Cincinnati.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - In just his third season with the franchise, former Wake Forest football player Jessie Bates III became one of the most important players on the Cincinnati Bengals' roster.
He had a career year in the orange and black, establishing himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL.
At season's end, Bates was named to the NFL All-Pro second team, the first All-Pro selection of his young career. He was also honored as the Bengals' 2020 MVP by the Pro Football Writers of America, and graded as the top safety in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
You may refer to him as All-Pro 🏆
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) January 8, 2021
Congrats, @jlbiii3 #ProDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/BKl4nBAaN0
Bates finished the 2020 campaign with career-highs in solo tackles and passes defended with 78 and 15, respectively. He also racked up three interceptions and one forced fumble, while starting all 16 games.
He is the only NFL player to record 100-plus total tackles and have three interceptions in each of the last three seasons.
Jessie Bates is the 𝙊𝙉𝙇𝙔 NFL player to:
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) February 11, 2020
- Tally 100+ total tackles in '18 + '19
𝙖𝙣𝙙
- Notch 3+ interceptions in '18 + '19#ProDeacs | #WakeForever 🎩 pic.twitter.com/SVJ1Nlvtzq
One of Bates' best performances of the season came in week eight against the Tennessee Titans when he posted 11 tackles, one interception and defended two passes. He led Cincinnati to a 31-20 victory over a 5-1 Titans team that would go on to make the playoffs.
The best safety in the league. That is all.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 1, 2020
📺: #TENvsCIN LIVE on CBS pic.twitter.com/9dsW0kgIXG
