Jayron Kearse

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Jayron Kearse
refer to caption
Kearse (1) playing for Clemson
Personal information
Born: (1994-02-11) February 11, 1994 (age 30)
Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:South Fort Myers
(Fort Myers, Florida)
College:Clemson
Position:Safety
NFL draft:2016 / Round: 7 / Pick: 244
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Interceptions:
5
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Jayron Kearse (born February 11, 1994) is an

2016 NFL Draft
.

Early years

A native of

touchdowns
and 5 passing touchdowns. As a junior running quarterback, he rushed for 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns.

As a senior in 2012, he transferred to

track & field
for the Wolfpack.

Frequently listed as an "athlete" by most recruiting services, Kearse was rated as a four-star recruit by

247Sports.com. He was viewed as the seventh best outside linebacker in the class of 2012 by Scout.com, while MaxPreps
listed him as the fifteenth best athlete in the nation and considered him a four-star recruit.

Kearse originally committed to play

Al Golden.[3] However, after attending camp at Clemson in June, he de-committed from the Hurricanes and ended up committing to Clemson University
on August 2, 2012. Kearse stated: "I chose Clemson because the coaches are genuine people that care about their athletes, and is just a great place to be with a group of guys who all want the best for you."

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Jayron Kearse
ATH 		Fort Myers, Florida South Fort Myers (FL) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 4.45 Aug 2, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
FL
); 242 (national)
  • ‡ Refers to
    40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2013 Clemson Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  • "2013 Clemson College Football Team Recruiting Prospects". Scout.com. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  • "2013 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 1, 2016.

College career

Kearse accepted a football scholarship from

fumbles
and two recovered fumbles in 1,998 snaps over 40 games with 29 starts in his career.

Freshman season

See also: 2013 Clemson Tigers football team

Two weeks before his freshman season began, Kearse was a candidate to play nickelback in Clemson's five-defensive back formations, but a shoulder injury caused him to miss the end of fall camp and the opener against the University of Georgia, so fellow freshman strong safety Korrin Wiggins moved to nickel and Kearse settled in as Travis Blanks’ backup. In the following three games of the season, Kearse logged some spare playing time in home blowouts over South Carolina State in week 2 and Wake Forest in week 4 until he was thrust into 75 snaps during Clemson's 49–14 win over the Syracuse Orange in week 5, recording eight tackles and his first career interception.[4]

The following week, he started against Boston College and contributed with 4 tackles. However, in week 7, Kearse played just three snaps against Florida State. In the next two weeks, at Maryland and Virginia, a knee injury to Blanks gave Kearse more playing time and he recorded 2 interceptions.

In the season finale against South Carolina, he played all 81 snaps and had 10 tackles.[5] In the 2014 Orange Bowl 40-35 win against Ohio State, he had 9 tackles and one key interception.

As a true freshman, he played in 12 games with three starts, compiling 55 tackles (0.5 for loss), a career-high four interceptions (led the team) and one forced fumble.

Sophomore season

See also: 2014 Clemson Tigers football team

As a sophomore in 2014, he became a full time starter at strong safety (12 out of 13 starts). He recorded 67 tackles (5 for loss), two interceptions, 7 pass breakups, three sacks and one fumble recovery.[6][7]

Against the #1 ranked

Oklahoma University
.

Junior season

See also: 2015 Clemson Tigers football team

As a junior in 2015, he used his uncommon size for a safety to provide a physical presence in the Clemson secondary. He registered 87 tackles (6.5 for loss), one interception, 8 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He received second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press.

Against

Oklahoma University. He tallied 3 tackles in the National Championship Game loss against the University of Alabama

After the 2016 national championship game, Kearse announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the

NFL Draft
, with many mock drafts projecting him as a late 1st round selection.

College statistics

Season Team GP GS Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Total Solo Ast Sck Tfl PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR FR YDS
2013 Clemson 12 3 41 29 12 0.0 0.0 0 4 62 15.5 0 0 1 0 0
2014 Clemson 13 13 61 46 15 3.0 5.0 5 2 21 10.5 0 0 0 1 0
2015 Clemson 14 14 62 41 21 0.0 6.5 6 1 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 0
Totals 39 30 164 116 48 3.0 11.5 11 7 83 11.9 0 0 2 2 0

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split
20-yard shuttle
 Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m) 		216 lb
(98 kg) 		34+1⁄4 in
(0.87 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.62 s 1.62 s 2.69 s 4.60 s 7.06 s 31.5 in
(0.80 m)		 10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		 16 reps
All values from
Pro Day[8][9]

Minnesota Vikings

2016 season

Kearse was selected by the

2016 NFL Draft,[10] dropping after posting a 4.62 time in the 40-yard dash and being criticized for taking bad tackling angles. He mentioned in the media that he watched hopelessly as he was passed on by NFL teams round after round. "I threw the caps on the ground after I was drafted." Kearse said. "The Vikings gave me a shot. 31 passed on me, so 31 got thrown on the ground. The Vikings are the lucky ones. I'm definitely going to make the other 31 pay.”[11]

As a rookie, he was one of the three tallest safeties in the league at 6-foot-4 and joined his former college teammate, cornerback Mackensie Alexander, who was taken by the Vikings in the second round.[12]

Kearse saw his first significant action of the 2016 season in Week 7 against the

special teams
tackles (tied for sixth on the team).

2017 season

In 2017, Kearse played mostly on special teams. He appeared in 15 regular season games and 2 playoff contests. He tallied 13 defensive tackles (one for loss) and 14 special teams tackles (fourth on the team). His first career tackle-for-loss came against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15.

2018 season

In 2018, he appeared in 16 games with one start. He played mostly as a slot cornerback in the team's "big nickel" package. He made his first career pass breakup against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4. He had a career game in Week 7 against the New York Jets, recording five tackles (one for loss), a half sack, and one quarterback hit. He followed this up the next week against New Orleans Saints, collecting five tackles for a second week in a row. Overall in 2018, Kearse posted 32 tackles (one for loss), a half sack, 2 quarterback hurries, 2 pass breakups and 18 special teams tackles (which led the team).

2019 season

In 2019, he appeared in 15 games with 3 starts at

free safety. He also played in one playoff contest. In Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, he had a career-high nine tackles and one pass breakup. He made his first career interception in Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys, when he caught a last-second Hail Mary pass attempt to close out a 28–24 win. In Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, he prevented a potential game-winning touchdown, covering rookie tight end Noah Fant
on two consecutive pass attempts in the end zone, helping to seal a 27–23 comeback victory. He registered 28 tackles, one quarterback hurry, 6 pass breakups and one special teams tackle during the season.

During his time with the Vikings, Kearse appeared in 62 games with five starts (only missed two games), while making 62 tackles, one interception, eight pass breakups, and 39 special teams tackles.

Detroit Lions

On March 27, 2020, Kearse signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the

Washington Football Team
.

Kearse was inactive for the Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after reportedly leaving the hotel room without permission and being late to a bed check on a road trip, which violated the team rules.[16] On December 28, 2020, he was waived by the Lions before the season finale.[17]

With Detroit, Kearse appeared in 11 games with 7 starts, posting 59 tackles, one quarterback hit, 2 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and 3 special teams tackles.

Baltimore Ravens

On December 31, 2020, Kearse was signed to the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens.[18] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 25, 2021.[19]

Dallas Cowboys

Kearse signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys on March 30, 2021.[20][21] He was named the Cowboys starting strong safety, starting 15 games and recording 101 tackles (nine for loss), one sack, two interceptions, and 10 passes defensed, all career-highs.

On March 21, 2022, Kearse signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension with the Cowboys.[22]

Professional statistics

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck Sfty PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR YDs
2016 MIN 16 1 6 4 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 0
2017 MIN 15 0 13 9 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 MIN 16 1 32 27 5 0.5 0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 MIN 15 3 28 19 9 0.0 0 6 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 DET 11 7 59 41 18 0.0 0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0
2021 DAL 16 15 101 67 34 2.0 0 10 2 34 17.0 34 0 0 1 1
2022 DAL 14 14 77 55 22 1.0 0 5 1 2 2.0 2 0 1 2 6
2023 DAL 10 8 47 30 17 1.5 0 3 1 32 32.0 32 0 0 0 0
Total 113 49 363 252 111 0.0 0 28 5 68 17.0 34 0 2 4 7

Personal life

Kearse has family ties to the NFL, as

2002 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.[23] At the age of 14, Kearse was out of football and in the summer of 2008 got arrested on a felony charge of robbery with another minor in Fort Myers, Florida, according to WBBH-TV. Kearse called that a “turning point” in his life.[24]

On October 27, 2019, Kearse was stopped by a

driving while intoxicated (DWI) and had a blood alcohol content of .10. During a search of Kearse's vehicle, the trooper found a loaded firearm for which Kearse did not have a permit. He was arrested on fourth-degree DWI and possession of a firearm without a permit.[25] He pleaded guilty on February 27, 2020, to the charges and was sentenced to probation and community service.[26]

References

  1. ^ "Jayron Kearse commits to Auburn for 2013". August 28, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Jayron Kearse commits to Auburn". Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  3. ^ "Prep football: South Fort Myers' Jayron Kearse commits to Miami". Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  4. ^ "Tall task: Jayron Kearse stepping up as Clemson safety". Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  5. ^ "Jayron Kearse thrives at Clemson". Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  6. ^ "Clemson's Kearse has sights set high". April 9, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "Clemson Top 10: Time for Jayron Kearse to become wily veteran". Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  8. ^ "Jayron Kearse Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  9. ^ "2016 Draft Scout Jayron Kearse, Clemson NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  10. ^ "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "Kearse: "I'm going to make the other 31 teams pay"". April 30, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  12. ^ "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  13. ^ "Lions agree to terms with eight free agents". DetroitLions.com. March 20, 2020.
  14. ^ Rothstein, Michael (July 31, 2020). "New Lions safety Jayron Kearse suspended three games". ESPN.com.
  15. ^ "Lions activate S Jayron Kearse". DetroitLions.com. October 1, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  16. ^ Birkett, Dave (December 30, 2020). "Detroit Lions waived starting S Jayron Kearse after a violation of team rules". Freep.com. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  17. ^ Birkett, Dave (December 28, 2020). "Detroit Lions waive S Jayron Kearse, want to see more of Tracy Walker, Will Harris". Freep.com. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  18. ^ Mink, Ryan (December 31, 2020). "Ravens Sign Jayron Kearse to Practice Squad". BaltimoreRavens.com.
  19. ^ "Baltimore parts with eight". FantasyGuru.com. January 25, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  20. ^ Phillips, Rob (March 30, 2021). "Safety Jayron Kearse, Cowboys Agree To Terms". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  21. ^ "2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – March". NFL.com. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  22. ^ Helman, David (March 21, 2022). "Cowboys Retain Key Starter Jayron Kearse". DallasCowboys.com.
  23. ^ "Kearse has big shoes to follow". ESPN. April 20, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  24. ^ "Kearse has big shoes to follow". ESPN. April 20, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  25. ^ "Jayron Kearse arrested on suspicion of DWI". NFL. October 27, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  26. ^ Alper, Josh (February 28, 2020). "Jayron Kearse sentenced to probation, community service". NBCSports.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jayron_Kearse&oldid=1220330201"