DJ Chark

DJ Chark's Biography

Darrell Demont “D. J.” Chark Jr. is a professional American football player who was born September 23, 1996 to parents Shirley and Darrell Chark. From a young age, Chark took to the football field with enthusiasm, joining a youth league in his hometown and playing as a running back. He attended Alexandria Senior High School in Alexandria, Louisiana where he expanded his repertoire by participating in both high school football and track events.

Throughout his high school years, his proficiency on the field didn’t go unnoticed. Universities such as Memphis, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M among others, extended offers to Chark but he chose to commit to Louisiana State University (LSU) where he played college football from 2014 to 2017 under coaches Les Miles and Ed Orgeron. Known for his remarkable speed, he earned the nickname “The Flash”, making a name for himself in the world of college football.

Despite recording no receptions in his first two years, Chark demonstrated remarkable improvement and resilience in his junior year in 2016 with 26 for 466 yards and three touchdowns. The following year, his senior year, he managed to make 40 for 874 yards and three touchdowns.

On December 18, 2017, Chark accepted an invitation to play in the prestigious 2018 Senior Bowl. His performance, with two tackles, five passes for 160 receiving yards and a touchdown, led his South team, coached by Houston Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien, to a 45-16 victory over the North. Chark’s performance was recognized, and he was awarded the Senior Bowl’s co-MVP award. This catapulted his reputation to new heights, as many began to see him as a top wide receiver prospect for the upcoming draft.

Prior to the draft, Chark underwent the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He completed all the required combine and positional drills, and displayed an outstanding performance, tying for fourth among all players in the 40-yard dash, tying for ninth in the vertical jump, and tying for 13th in the broad jump. Furthermore, he attended a private workout for the Dallas Cowboys and pre-draft visits with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos.

By the end of the pre-draft process, predictions anticipated Chark would be a second-round pick. Indeed, this prophecy materialized when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Chark in the second round with the 61st overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Chark signed a $4.44 million four-year contract with the Jaguars, which included a signing bonus of $1.31 million in May 2018.

Chark’s rookie year saw him complete 14 receptions for 174 receiving yards, and he also fulfilled the role as the Jaguars’ primary kick returner. By 2019, Chark had carved his place into the team, catching 73 passes for 1,008 receiving yards and receiving eight touchdowns and a two-point conversion. This performance led to him being named to the Pro Bowl in 2020.

His career reached a temporary halt when he underwent surgery for a broken finger in August 2021. Despite this setback, he was expected to recover in time for the start of the season. Unfortunately, during Week 4 in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he fractured his ankle. He finished the 2021 season with seven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

In a turn of events, Chark signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Detroit Lions in March 2022. Unfortunately, a recurring ankle injury placed him on the injured reserve list on October 22, 2022. Despite this setback, he was activated on November 19, 2022, and continued his comeback, registering five receptions for 98 yards against his former team, the Jaguars.

Following this stint, Chark signed with the Carolina Panthers on a one-year deal on March 24, 2023. Despite the team’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, Chark made six catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. On May 6, 2024, he penned a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. A hip injury in September that year placed him once again on the injured reserves.

Chark’s journey has been marked by both exceptional play and resilience in the face of injuries. As his career continues, we anticipate additional achievement and success for this talented football player.