Darnell Savage

BIOGRAPHY

Darnell Henry Savage Jr., born on July 30, 1997, is a professional American football safety who presently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League (NFL). Savage’s athletic prowess dates back to his high school days at Caravel Academy in Bear, Delaware. However, his journey wasn’t void of obstacles. During the first game of his junior season, Savage took a grim hit that resulted in a broken femur, blemishing his successful high school football career for a brief period.

Undeterred, Savage resumed after recovery and committed himself to the University of Maryland to pursue college football, emerging stronger than ever. His tenure at Maryland stretched from 2015 to 2018. Throughout his college football career, Savage established himself as a formidable opponent on the gridiron, amassing 182 tackles, eight interceptions, one sack, and two notable touchdowns, showcasing his athletic prowess.

Following his indelible mark at Maryland, Savage’s NFL dreams were resurrected when the Green Bay Packers selected him as the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. His acceptance into the league was sealed on May 2, 2019, when he penned a 4-year deal with the Packers for an impressive $12.5 million, inclusive of a signing bonus of $7.1 million.

Savage made his NFL debut in the Packers’ season opener against the Chicago Bears on September 5, 2019, leaving indelible impressions with three tackles and one pass deflection. By week 3 of the 2019 season, against the Denver Broncos, Savage recorded his first professional career interception against Joe Flacco, marking a turning point for the Packers, who ended the game with a triumphant 27–16 win.

With Savage’s stellar performances, he rose to national acclaim. During the Week 12 Sunday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears, he intercepted two passes thrown by Mitchell Trubisky, becoming a key contributor to the Packer’s decisive 41–25 win. His accomplishments were crowned with his inclusion in the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

The Green Bay Packers, recognizing Savage’s immense talent and potential, opted to extend his stay by exercising the fifth-year option on his contract on April 29, 2022. Savage continued to make headlines in the NFL. In a Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 1, 2023, he livelily intercepted a pass from Kirk Cousins and sprinted 75 yards, recording his first touchdown in his NFL career.

Savage was sidelined briefly on October 25, 2023, due to a calf injury, which resulted in him being placed on injured reserve. He made a strong comeback on December 2, showing the NFL and fans alike that he remained unbroken.

Savage’s biggest play of the 2023 season was surprisingly in a high-stakes Wild Card round against the Dallas Cowboys on January 14, 2024. He intercepted a pass from Dak Prescott, returning it for a 64-yard touchdown, a decisive move that drove the Packers to eliminate the Cowboys with a resounding 48–32 win.

In a significant turn of events, Savage, forged in the fires of Wisconsin winters, found his way to the sunny coasts of Florida. On March 13, 2024, he penned a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a new chapter in his career that fans are eager to witness. As Savage eagerly embarks on this new journey, one thing is certain: his relentless drive and dedication to the game transcends any uniform he wears, marking him as one of the most revered safeties in the NFL.