Dallen and Lindsey Bentley: Article 006

A Utah Tight End Interview + Love Story

Last December a couple, draped in Utes gear, walked into an event that my husband and I were hosting. (Okay, maybe event is a strong word, it was a cereal bar and Bingo. lol) 

While I was spinning an old school Bingo roller and calling out numbers for prizes, my husband was chatting it up with this new couple we had never met before. At the end of the night I walked over and said goodbye to them before they left. My husband then turned to me and said, “That’s Dallen and Lindsey Bentley.”

That’s when I realized that Dallen was the new tight end I had seen on the field a few weeks previously at Washington (that was a heartbreaking loss). From then on we’ve made sure to cheer extra loud every time he steps on the field, like during the Las Vegas Bowl Game last year when he made his first catch as a Ute. 

This week I was able to catch up with Dallen and Lindsey in their cute SLC apartment. I knew it was bye week and had nervously texted Lindsey earlier in the week, asking if they would be up for an interview, and felt like I hit the jackpot when she said yes. 

They had just finished eating dinner when I showed up. It turns out Dallen has mastered the art of homemade pizza, and they were cuddled up in the corner of the couch ready to chat. 

“What’s your biggest motivation?” was one the first questions I asked. His response was simple and quick. “Lindsey.” He then went on to expand that he’s doing this for his family, “It’s why I’m in it,” he said. This single thread of family permeates this whole article, it’s a story of hard work, ambition, and kindness. 

Dallen had one of the more unconventional paths to being a Power 4 tight end. 

He started playing little league football when he was 10, and he hated it. “I was a really emotional and sensitive little kid, and there’s so much yelling and hitting. I was scared for my first year.” As time went on, he got used to it, liked being around the other guys, and loved playing with his cousin who he credits to keeping him in the sport. 

As he grew up, he didn’t see much playing time in high school and when he was finally starting his senior season he got injured on his first play. From there he went on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and decided he’d like to give college football a try. He ended up at Snow College, and in his words, “Turned out I wasn’t too bad.” That’s when he saw the possibilities, getting college paid for, and getting a good career lined up to help his future family, he figured he needed to make the most of this opportunity. 

He’s an all in type of guy. 

He worked hard, something his parents taught him from a young age, and became the #1 TE JUCO recruit. He had offers from multiple schools, but ended up choosing Utah because of the strength of the tight ends that come out of the program. 

When asked about the tight end room, it turns out the literal room does indeed have a sign that says “Tight End” and might have previously been a closet (It’s the smallest of all the “rooms”.) Also, Coach Freddie keeps treats in there, which Dallen was stoked on. When I pushed for what kind of treats, his eyes lit up, “Whatever you can imagine, if you want it, he’ll get it.” Turns out you don’t even need to do something good to get a treat. 

In terms of the people in the tight end room, he talks about how much he loves all of the guys and competition saying, “Can’t ask for a better tight end room in my opinion.” While acknowledging that it can be hard to play in such a contested position, it makes him better and makes the offense more effective. I press him for who his best friend is, but I can’t quite get him to name names. He does spout out that Utah safety Nate Ritchie, is “trash at NCAA Football 25,” the video game, lol.

On the topic of his daily routine, he jokes, “Well today, I woke up at noon.” But really it’s full of 6:00 am lifting, recovery, eating, practice, hot tubbing (Lucky!), more meetings, more practice then getting home to Lindsey around 7:00. 

The newlywed couple (just over a year) seem to be making the most of this busy season of their lives. Finding time mostly in the off season for hobbies that they love, like riding horses, dirt biking, and pickleball.  

Lindsey grew up as a BYU fan, she went to a lot of football games, and laughs, “Dallen says I’ve repented now that I’m a Utah Fan.” 

Dallen and Lindsey met on a co-ed softball team at Snow College. Lindsey, a Badgerette, had been asked to play on the team by a friend, and when she heard a lot of football players were on the team, she expected them to be cocky jerks. She was used to dating cowboys, but then she met Dallen. She laughs, “He was wearing this chain though, so that was a red flag.” Dallen adds, “Ya, it was giving off F-boy vibes.” For the record, Lindsey digs the chain now. 

When asked about how they knew each other was the one, Dallen smiles and Lindsey’s eyes get watery. They both laugh with playful banter though as Dallen says, “Pretty much when she tried to throw a baseball at me, and almost took my head off, then I was like, yeah she’s it.” He adds, “I think she was trying to impress me.” Lindsey smiles and laughs, “He was cute.”

For Lindsey, her response is heartfelt as she tears up, and says, “Dallen showed me what I actually deserved, just the way he treated me, and the way I felt with him, I was just a much happier, fun person.” 

I’m not crying. You’re crying!

I ask Lindsey how she manages the nerves with Dallen out on the field, and she laughs, “I don’t think I manage them very well,” Dallen pipes in, “She needs a Dr. Pepper.” Lindsey, laughing and gesturing with her fingers over her eyes, says, “Sometimes I don’t wanna watch, because I don’t want something bad to happen, but I have faith in him.” 

As our conversation comes to a close I want to know what they love most about each other. Dallen takes on a caring tone, probably the most serious I’ve heard him in this conversation, and says, “She’s really the kindest person ever. I don’t know how you can be that nice.” 

Lindsey’s response is equally as thoughtful with tears coming back to her eyes, “He’s always so funny, always making me laugh. He’s just his own person, and always makes me feel safe and secure in our relationship.”

I already knew I liked Dallen and Lindsey, but after our conversation I left with a new level of respect for Dallen, a guy who is hard-working, kind, and funny, and Lindsey, who might just be the kindest soul I’ve ever met. 

I’m rooting for them on and off the field this year. 

Bonus question: Could you beat Coach Whitt in an arm wrestling match?

Dallen’s response: “I think I have him in an arm wrestling match, he’s pretty yoked, but he’s too old. But not cycling, he would destroy me cycling.”

Go Utes!