He played college football for the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns and was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.

In his senior season in 2011, he recorded 71 tackles, a new career high, including five for loss, and also had three interceptions.

Bentley was ranked among the top ten cornerback prospects of the 2012 NFL draft.

[4] On June 18, 2015, the Lions waived Bentley due to injury concerns.

On November 18, 2015, the Lions signed Bentley after numerous injuries to cornerbacks.