Florida State LB Tatum Bethune declares for 2024 NFL Draft

Florida State linebacker Tatum Bethune officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Sunday evening. He made the announcement in a lengthy post on his Twitter page.

It has Been a pleasure!🖤15 out.. #knightnation #GoNoles pic.twitter.com/IVaczKmpMR

— Tatum Bethune🥷🏾 (@tatumx15) December 31, 2023

“First and foremost, I want to start by thanking God for giving me the opportunity to play collegiate football. Acknowledging that without God, I am nothing, His protection allowed me to excel while blessing me with amazing opportunities and lifelong friendships.”

“I want to give a special thanks to my coaches, Teammates, and fans from UCF and FSU. Your unwavering support and passion has fueled my growth both on and off the field. I will be able to relive all those glorious moments for the rest of my life and forever be grateful to my team for joining me in giving everything we had.”

“Your encouragement has been instrumental in reaching this point, and I carry the spirit of the Nole family and Knight nation with me as I embark on the next chapter of my journey. Thank you for being the heartbeat of my college experience. Your cheers, loyalty, and love will forever hold a special place in my heart. With That being said, I am officially Declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.”

This season, he finished with 71 tackles for the Seminoles. His best season came in 2021 when he was playing for UCF, when Bethune racked up 108 tackles, two interceptions, and two sacks. The Miami, Florida native played his first three seasons of college football with the Knights, while finishing up the last two years with the Seminoles.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.