Tatum Bethune
Tatum Bethune is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football for the UCF Knights and Florida State Seminoles.
Early life and high school
Bethune's great-great-great aunt is Mary McLeod Bethune, the founder of Bethune-Cookman College. In addition, Bethune attended Miami Central Senior High School. He was rated as a three-star recruit where he committed to play for the UCF Knights.College career
UCF
In Bethune's first two seasons in 2019 and 2020, he amassed 77 tackles with seven and a half tackles for a loss, two and a half sacks, three pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble. During the 2021 season, Bethune notched 108 tackles with five and a half being for a loss, two sacks, and two interceptions. After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Bethune decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal.During Bethune's career with UCF, he played in 35 games with 17 starts as he recorded 185 tackles with 13 being for a loss, four and a half sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Florida State
Bethune decided to transfer to play for the Florida State Seminoles. Before the start of the 2022 season, Bethune underwent surgery on his groin. In week six of the 2022 season, Bethune rallied 14 tackles with two and a half being for a loss. Tatum finished the 2022 season starting in eleven games where he made 84 tackles with nine and a half for a loss, three sacks, three pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. In week one of the 2023 season, Bethune notched nine tackles including a massive hit on LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, as he helped the Seminoles to a win over LSU. During the 2023 season, Bethune totaled 70 tackles with five and a half being for a loss, three pass deflections, and an interception. For this performance he was named third team all-ACC. After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Bethune decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.Professional career
Bethune was selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. On November 23, 2024, Bethune was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. On December 30, Bethune was activated from injured reserve.Bethune entered the 2025 season as a backup linebacker. He was thrust into a starter role in Week 7 following an injury to Fred Warner. He finished the season second on the team with 94 tackles through 14 games and eight starts. On January 7, 2026, Bethune was placed on injured reserve.