Kayden Bennett is a true freshman linebacker for the Illinois Fighting Illini. The 6'1", 230-pound native of Windsor, Connecticut, attended Suffield Academy under head coach Chris Setian, where he earned three-star recruiting ratings and was ranked #35 nationally at his position by national outlets. Bennett was a three-sport letterman in football, wrestling, and track & field, earning All-NEPSAC first-team honors in football three times. He received offers from Boston College, Syracuse, UConn, Wake Forest, Washington, and West Virginia. His brother Kechaun played football at Michigan and UCLA. Bennett is majoring in journalism.