Ben Cleveland Bio
Benjamin Keith Cleveland (born August 25, 1998) is an American professional football guard currently listed on the Los Angeles Chargers roster in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs before being drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Standing 6 ft 6 in and listed at around 357 lb, Cleveland is a large interior lineman who has spent most of his professional career contributing on special teams and as a rotational offensive guard. Through his first four NFL seasons, he appeared in 64 games and made seven starts while developing his craft in one of the league’s most physical offensive systems.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Keith Cleveland was born on August 25, 1998, in Toccoa, Georgia, a small town in the foothills of northeast Georgia. He grew up in the Toccoa community and attended Stephens County High School, where he played both football and baseball as a young athlete. His size and footwork made him a notable prospect on the gridiron, and he was rated as a four-star recruit by national scouting services during his high school career. Cleveland committed to play college football at the University of Georgia during the summer before his junior season, signaling his intention to stay in his home state and play for one of the Southeastern Conference’s most storied programs.
Path to American Football
Cleveland’s path to the NFL began in earnest when he arrived in Athens to play for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he quickly worked his way into the rotation along the offensive line. As a redshirt freshman he appeared in all 15 of Georgia’s games and started the final five, including the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship game, an early sign of the coaching staff’s confidence in his potential. In his redshirt sophomore season he started eight games before a midseason injury cost him six games, and as a redshirt junior he played in 13 games with seven starts at right guard. Cleveland returned to being a full-time starter at right guard in his senior year and earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors along with third-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press after starting nine games during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.
Ben Cleveland Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Ben Cleveland was selected in the third round with the 94th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, who obtained the pick as part of the trade that sent offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to the Kansas City Chiefs. On July 20, 2021, Cleveland signed his four-year rookie contract worth $4.8 million, locking in his first professional deal. His first training camp, however, was interrupted when he was placed on the active/non-football injury list on July 21, 2021, and his rookie regular season took another difficult turn on October 12 when he suffered a knee injury in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts and was placed on injured reserve. Cleveland returned to the active roster on November 20, 2021, and spent the remainder of his rookie season working to establish himself within the Ravens’ offensive line room.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2021–2025)
Across his time in Baltimore, Cleveland served primarily as a depth interior lineman and core special teams player, gradually earning more responsibility as he learned the Ravens’ outside-zone blocking scheme. In Week 6 of the 2024 season against the Washington Commanders, Cleveland blocked a field goal attempt by Austin Seibert, and the Ravens went on to win the game 30–23, a memorable special-teams moment in his tenure. On March 15, 2025, Cleveland re-signed with the Ravens to remain in Baltimore, but his 2025 season ended controversially when, on December 8, he was suspended for three games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. On January 1, 2026, Cleveland was waived by the Ravens following his suspension, closing his original chapter with the team that had drafted him four and a half years earlier.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025–Present)
After clearing waivers, Cleveland found a quick landing spot on January 5, 2026, when he was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad, giving him an opportunity to continue his NFL career on the West Coast. He then signed a reserve/future contract on January 14, 2026, securing his place on the Chargers’ offseason roster. The move to Los Angeles marked a fresh start for the veteran guard, who brought both starting experience from college and special-teams value from his time in Baltimore.
Driving Style and Strengths
As an offensive lineman, Cleveland’s game is built on his massive frame, long arms, and the run-blocking fundamentals he refined under the Georgia coaching staff. He fits the profile of a physical gap blocker who can move defensive linemen at the point of attack, while also providing the lateral mobility required to execute the Ravens’ outside-zone concepts. His special-teams background, highlighted by the blocked field goal against Washington, demonstrates the kind of leverage and timing that translate well from scrimmage to kicking units.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cleveland’s career is bookended by signature moments, from his selection as the 94th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to the clutch blocked field goal against the Washington Commanders in 2024. His 2020 season, when he was named first-team All-SEC and a third-team All-American, stands as his most decorated collegiate year and helped launch his professional career.
Ben Cleveland Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Cleveland’s professional ledger is measured less in individual victories and more in starts, snaps, and team success along the line of scrimmage. Through his time with the Baltimore Ravens he appeared in 64 regular-season games and made seven starts, contributing to one of the league’s consistently competitive rushing attacks.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Cleveland’s most notable regular-season highlight came in Week 6 of the 2024 season, when his blocked field goal against the Washington Commanders helped the Ravens secure a 30–23 victory. Across his four-plus seasons in Baltimore, he developed into a trusted depth piece and core special-teams contributor, a role that allowed him to remain on active rosters throughout his rookie contract. His most recent confirmed win contributions have come in a reserve and special-teams capacity rather than as a full-time starting guard.
Other Performances
Beyond his regular-season work, Cleveland appeared in postseason play during his time with Baltimore and contributed on special teams in those environments, though specific postseason snap counts are not fully detailed in available records. He has yet to record a Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection at the professional level.
Ben Cleveland Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Benjamin Keith Cleveland’s immediate family is limited, and detailed records about his parents and siblings are not widely confirmed. What is known is that he was raised in Toccoa, Georgia, and developed his football foundation in that close-knit community before heading to Athens to play for the Bulldogs.
Personal Life
On February 12, 2025, Cleveland was arrested by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and failure to maintain lane, with authorities reporting that he blew a 0.178 on a breathalyzer test, an incident that preceded his later NFL suspension. Beyond that, Cleveland keeps much of his personal life out of the public eye, and details such as marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Cleveland’s 2025 campaign began with him re-signing with the Baltimore Ravens on March 15, 2025, signaling the team’s continued belief in his value as a depth interior lineman and special-teams contributor. His season, however, took a sharp turn on December 8, when the NFL suspended him for three games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, effectively ending his on-field role for the year. On January 1, 2026, the Ravens waived him following his suspension, and four days later he was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad before inking a reserve/future contract on January 14. Looking ahead, Cleveland will compete for a depth role along the Chargers’ offensive line while offering the kind of special-teams experience that has defined much of his professional career.