Ben Gedeon

Benjamin Gedeon (born October 16, 1994) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played for the Vikings for four seasons, with his last season being in 2020.

College career Gedeon appeared in 51 games and made 14 starting assignments at linebacker, ultimately recording 176 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 21 tackles-for-loss and two pass breakups. As a senior, he posted a career best 106 tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and two pass breakups. Following the 2016 season, Gedeon was named to the All-Big Ten Conference defensive second-team by the media.

Professional career Pre-draft Gedeon was ranked as the No. 9 inside linebacker in the 2017 NFL draft by CBSSports.com and was projected to go in the fourth or fifth round according to NFL.com. Gedeon was one of the top performers at the 2017 NFL Combine. Gedeon finished atop all linebackers in the bench press, lifting 225 pounds 27 times. He also tied for the best 20-yard shuttle (4.13 seconds), was third in the 60-yard shuttle (11.58 seconds), had the seventh-best vertical jump (34.5 inches), was ninth in the 3-cone drill (6.98 seconds) and was twelfth with a 119-inch broad jump.

2017 The Minnesota Vikings selected Gedeon in fourth round (120th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft. He was the first of two linebackers drafted by the Vikings in 2017, along with Elijah Lee. On May 26, 2017, the Vikings signed a Gedeon to a four-year, $3.03 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $633,147.

Throughout training camp, Gedeon competed against Emmanuel Lamur, Edmond Robinson, Elijah Lee, and Kentrell Brothers for the job as the starting weakside linebacker after it was left vacant due to the retirement of Chad Greenway. Head coach Mike Zimmer named Gedeon the starting weakside linebacker, along with Anthony Barr and middle linebacker Eric Kendricks.

He made his regular season debut and first career start in the Vikings' season-opener against the New Orleans Saints and recorded a solo tackle during their 29–19 victory. On December 31, 2017, Gedeon collected a season-high six combined tackles in the Vikings' 23–10 win against the Chicago Bears. Gedeon finished his rookie season with 37 combined tackles (23 solo) in 16 games and nine starts.

The Minnesota Vikings finished first in the NFC North with a 13–3 record and received a first round bye. On January 14, 2018, Gedeon played in first career playoff game and assisted on one tackle in a 29–24 victory against the Saints in the NFC Divisional round. They lost to the Philadelphia Eagles who became the eventual Super Bowl LII Champions.

2018 Gedeon entered training camp slated as the starting weakside linebacker. Head coach Mike Zimmer named Gedeon and Anthony Barr the starting outside linebackers. They started alongside middle linebacker Kendricks. In Week 14, he collected a season-high nine combined tackles during a 21–7 loss at the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the season with 53 combined tackles (29 solo) and two pass deflections in 15 games and eight starts.

2020 Gedeon was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list (PUP) at the start of training camp on August 3, 2020. He was moved to the reserve/PUP list to start the regular season on September 5. He was waived with a failed physical designation on November 10, 2020.

Career statistics NFL Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles 2017 MIN 16 9 37 23 14 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 2018 MIN 15 8 53 29 24 0.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 2019 MIN 8 5 13 8 5 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 Total 39 22 103 60 43 0.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

College YearTeamTacklesInterceptionsFumbles Total Solo Ast Sck Tfl PDef Int Yards Avg Lng TDs FF FR FR Yds TDs 2013 Michigan 19 9 10 1.0 1.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2014 Michigan 17 12 5 1.0 1.5 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2015 Michigan 34 21 13 0.0 3.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2016 Michigan 94 39 55 4.5 15.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0Career 164 81 83 6.5 20.5 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0