Dennis Daley

Dennis Daley's Biography

Born on August 7, 1996, Dennis Daley grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. His family roots extend back to Jamaica, giving him a unique heraldry of both Jamaican and American descent. Even in his early years, Daley demonstrated a strong predilection for sport, and football, in particular.

Having attended Ridge View High School, he established a strong footing in football. But despite signing with the University of South Carolina, Daley had to delay his dreams of playing for the South Carolina Gamecocks. After reaching the tipping point of adolescence, he found himself facing an unexpected hurdle. He did not qualify for the immediate enrollment at South Carolina post-high school, redirecting his path toward Georgia Military College(GMC) for his first two seasons of collegiate career. The young athlete recounted his time at GMC as “the toughest two years of [his] life.” Despite the hardship, he considered the challenging experience as a fundamental building block in cultivating his discipline.

In 2017, Daley returned to the University of South Carolina and joined the South Carolina Gamecocks. He showcased his skills as a two-year starter and started 23 games at the critical left tackle spot. This period witnessed him develop and strengthen his game knowledge and skills, leading him to graduate from South Carolina in December 2018 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. The same year, he participated in the 2019 Senior Bowl, showcasing his talent to potential recruiters.

The NFL draft of 2019 marked a groundbreaking shift in Daley’s football career. He was selected in the sixth round (212th overall) by the Carolina Panthers, thereby kickstarting his professional football journey. Daley served as a remarkable contributor to the Panthers, commencing his rookie season with nine games as the left tackle. His active involvement continued in 2020 when he started three games, with two as the right guard and one as the left tackle.

However, his electrifying career faced a slowdown when, on December 22, 2020, he was placed on injured reserve. Daley bounced back in 2021, starting nine games and participated in 15, demonstrating his resilience and determination.

In the twilight of August 29, 2022, Daley, along with a seventh-round pick, was traded to the Tennessee Titans for a fifth-round pick slated for 2024. He promptly assumed responsibilities as the left tackle for the Titans after an unfortunate injury to Taylor Lewan during their Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills. Daley’s performance shone, despite the Titans having the league’s worst offensive line that season and Daley finishing tied for the most sacks allowed.

His expedition in the NFL took another turn when he signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals on March 21, 2023. However, he shortly ended up on injured reserve on August 31, 2023. His return to the field on October 14 was short-lived as he played only four games, with a start in one. In a surprising turn of events, Daley was released by the Cardinals on August 19, 2024.

Dennis Daley’s journey in American football traversed through several highs and lows, yet his perseverance, talent, and resolve stand testament to his status as an accomplished football offensive tackle.