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WESTFIELD — Ulysses Bentley IV has spent more than a year hoping for an opportunity like the one thrown his way last Thursday night.
Offered a rare opportunity with the starters, Bentley found himself in a one-on-one matchup with rookie Colts linebacker Bryce Boettcher, close enough to the end zone that Bentley could almost taste paydirt.
Bentley wheeled out of the backfield and turned upfield, leaving Boettcher in his wake as quarterback Daniel Jones lofted a perfect pass, floating the ball over Bentley’s shoulder, allowing the Ole Miss product to run under the throw for a gorgeous touchdown catch, the kind usually reserved for wide receivers or tight ends.
Indianapolis running backs coach DeAndre Smith wasn’t surprised. Once Bentley turned the corner, Smith knew the play was all but over.
“Since he’s been here, he’s always had the best hands in the room,” Smith said. “He’s never, knock on wood, he’s never dropped a pass since he’s been here.”
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Smith also had a feeling.
He’s been coaching running backs for a quarter-century, and he’s learned that when a young player makes a highlight-reel play, another chance is often waiting around the corner.
Eight plays later, Bentley caught an angle route from Riley Leonard over the middle, hit the afterburners and raced for a touchdown of 40-plus yards.
“He made a ton of plays,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, he had a little double move for a touchdown, and then out in space, made a couple guys miss.”
Those two touchdowns might carry more weight for Bentley than a one-day spot in the limelight.
By making those two plays, Bentley showed the Colts coaching staff that he has something unique to offer the offense, a trait that could potentially earn him a spot on the roster.
Every NFL team likes to have a third-down back.
Indianapolis has an opening at that spot this season after letting veteran Ameer Abdullah leave for Jacksonville in the offseason.
The rest of the Colts’ running backs bring a different skillset to the table. Jonathan Taylor, the team’s superstar, is always going to get the lion’s share of the snaps, and he’s coming off a season with a career-high 46 receptions, but even Taylor can’t take every snap. Abdullah caught 16 passes last year. Rookie Seth McGowan has good hands but profiles as more of a bruiser; 2025 fifth-rounder DJ Giddens has struggled with drops at times throughout his career.
Bentley’s opportunity to make an impression is in the passing game.
“Kind of have to separate my game,” Bentley said. “Catch the ball, run routes, that’s just going to create more value for myself to help the team.”
The Colts have seen the potential for a long time.
Bentley spent a couple of early weeks last season on the Colts’ 53-man roster, earning a single carry by virtue of being active in a blowout. Indianapolis was still searching for a back like Abdullah — Bentley ended up spending most of the year on the practice squad — but the Colts were comfortable carrying Bentley on the active roster for a couple of weeks because of his skills in the passing game.
He can catch the ball.
Bentley can also handle the protection responsibilities that come with playing on third down.
“The only reason why he was ever there is because of protections, because I trusted him,” Smith said. “He’s always had a good feel for it, understanding. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’ll definitely throw his body up in there.”
Two weeks into training camp, it’s evident that Bentley developed during his season on the Indianapolis practice squad.
He understands how to better use his burst as a runner, and a year in the offense has helped him considerably. He’s competing for a role on special teams.
“He’s playing faster because he’s heard it, he knows it, he doesn’t have to think about it,” Smith said. “He can just go out and react.”
Bentley’s also getting more chances than usual.
Giddens, who is competing with McGowan for the No. 2 role behind Taylor, has been out for most of the week due to a hamstring injury, leaving opportunities for Bentley.
He’s trying to make an impression any way he can.
But Bentley knows what his calling card will be.
“I get on the JUGS every day, make sure I have the best hands possible,” Bentley said. “I love working on my hands and running routes. Whatever way I can do it to help the team, I just find a way.”
Never know when the next opportunity might come his way.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Meet one of the surprises of Colts training camp: Ulysses Bentley IV
Continue reading...
Offered a rare opportunity with the starters, Bentley found himself in a one-on-one matchup with rookie Colts linebacker Bryce Boettcher, close enough to the end zone that Bentley could almost taste paydirt.
Bentley wheeled out of the backfield and turned upfield, leaving Boettcher in his wake as quarterback Daniel Jones lofted a perfect pass, floating the ball over Bentley’s shoulder, allowing the Ole Miss product to run under the throw for a gorgeous touchdown catch, the kind usually reserved for wide receivers or tight ends.
Indianapolis running backs coach DeAndre Smith wasn’t surprised. Once Bentley turned the corner, Smith knew the play was all but over.
“Since he’s been here, he’s always had the best hands in the room,” Smith said. “He’s never, knock on wood, he’s never dropped a pass since he’s been here.”
Buy 2026 Colts tickets
Smith also had a feeling.
He’s been coaching running backs for a quarter-century, and he’s learned that when a young player makes a highlight-reel play, another chance is often waiting around the corner.
Eight plays later, Bentley caught an angle route from Riley Leonard over the middle, hit the afterburners and raced for a touchdown of 40-plus yards.
“He made a ton of plays,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, he had a little double move for a touchdown, and then out in space, made a couple guys miss.”
Those two touchdowns might carry more weight for Bentley than a one-day spot in the limelight.
By making those two plays, Bentley showed the Colts coaching staff that he has something unique to offer the offense, a trait that could potentially earn him a spot on the roster.
Every NFL team likes to have a third-down back.
Indianapolis has an opening at that spot this season after letting veteran Ameer Abdullah leave for Jacksonville in the offseason.
The rest of the Colts’ running backs bring a different skillset to the table. Jonathan Taylor, the team’s superstar, is always going to get the lion’s share of the snaps, and he’s coming off a season with a career-high 46 receptions, but even Taylor can’t take every snap. Abdullah caught 16 passes last year. Rookie Seth McGowan has good hands but profiles as more of a bruiser; 2025 fifth-rounder DJ Giddens has struggled with drops at times throughout his career.
Bentley’s opportunity to make an impression is in the passing game.
“Kind of have to separate my game,” Bentley said. “Catch the ball, run routes, that’s just going to create more value for myself to help the team.”
The Colts have seen the potential for a long time.
Bentley spent a couple of early weeks last season on the Colts’ 53-man roster, earning a single carry by virtue of being active in a blowout. Indianapolis was still searching for a back like Abdullah — Bentley ended up spending most of the year on the practice squad — but the Colts were comfortable carrying Bentley on the active roster for a couple of weeks because of his skills in the passing game.
He can catch the ball.
Bentley can also handle the protection responsibilities that come with playing on third down.
“The only reason why he was ever there is because of protections, because I trusted him,” Smith said. “He’s always had a good feel for it, understanding. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’ll definitely throw his body up in there.”
Two weeks into training camp, it’s evident that Bentley developed during his season on the Indianapolis practice squad.
He understands how to better use his burst as a runner, and a year in the offense has helped him considerably. He’s competing for a role on special teams.
“He’s playing faster because he’s heard it, he knows it, he doesn’t have to think about it,” Smith said. “He can just go out and react.”
Bentley’s also getting more chances than usual.
Giddens, who is competing with McGowan for the No. 2 role behind Taylor, has been out for most of the week due to a hamstring injury, leaving opportunities for Bentley.
He’s trying to make an impression any way he can.
But Bentley knows what his calling card will be.
“I get on the JUGS every day, make sure I have the best hands possible,” Bentley said. “I love working on my hands and running routes. Whatever way I can do it to help the team, I just find a way.”
Never know when the next opportunity might come his way.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Meet one of the surprises of Colts training camp: Ulysses Bentley IV
Continue reading...
