Genard Avery

Genard Avery's Biography

Genard Avery, born on the 26th of April 1995, is a seasoned professional in the world of American football. He plays as a defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, an esteemed franchise in the National Football League (NFL). This role comes after a steady climb in his career, starting from his early college days.

Avery’s journey to the NFL began at Grenada High School, where he demonstrated his prowess on the field. His talent did not go unnoticed; he was named in the Clarion-Ledger’s 2013 All-State Team, and voted the Most Valuable Player of Mississippi’s 6A region. A testament to his relentless athleticism was his invitation to the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game. This impressive spell at Grenada culminated in his induction into The Clarion-Ledger’s Targeted 22.

A glance at his statistical record from this period paints a portrait of an aggressive and proactive player. During his junior year, Avery registered an impressive stat line: 111 tackles, six sacks, and five forced fumbles. His efforts were acknowledged with a Class 6A All-State honor. This trend continued into his senior year, during which Avery had 75 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Notably, Avery’s versatility saw him play on offense, where he recorded 72 rushing yards on 18 carries and five touchdowns.

Off the football field, Avery was making strides in powerlifting and track and field, proving his aptitude in multiple sports. He became a Class 6A state champion powerlifter and a four-year track and field letter-winner.

Upon his move to college, Avery continued his form at the University of Memphis. His career as a freshman started off modestly with five tackles. He ramped up his performance during his junior year, putting up 81 tackles, with 11 for loss. He also made two interceptions, which he returned for touchdowns. The following season saw Avery perform even better, raking in 80 tackles, including 22 tackles for loss.

In his college career, Avery took part in an exceptional 50 games, starting in 34, with the majority of those starts coming in his last two seasons. He left a notable mark on the Memphis record books. His 45.5 career tackles for loss ranks second in the university’s history, only surpassed by Tim Harris (49), while his 21.5 sacks place him third, behind Martin Ifedi (22.5) and Tramont Lawless (22). His solo record, however, came during his senior year, when his 22.0 tackles for loss etched a new record in the university’s books.

By the end of his college career, Avery had achieved 232 career tackles, the fifth-highest in Memphis history, added four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, seven passes defended, and two interceptions which he returned for touchdowns.

In December 2017, Avery graduated from the University of Memphis, having majored in Organizational Leadership in just three and a half years. Shortly after his graduation, he was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft, as the 150th pick. He signed a rookie contract, worth just short of $2.7 million, that included a signing bonus worth $280,000.

Avery’s NFL debut came against the Pittsburgh Steelers, demonstrating his immediate impact with four total tackles and a strip sack. Throughout his rookie season, he recorded a further 36 tackles and 4.5 sacks, showing his consistency and reliability by featuring in every game and starting 5.

However, Avery’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns was not to last. He fell out of favor in his second year due to a change in the team’s defensive scheme. Consequently, on October 28, 2019, the day before the trade deadline, the Philadelphia Eagles saw an opportunity and traded a fourth-round pick for him in the 2021 NFL draft.

In his very first game for the Eagles, Avery immediately displayed his talent with two tackles and half a sack in a 22-14 win against the Chicago Bears. Though his game time fluctuated, he still managed to record five QB hits and a sack during a win against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2020 season. Unfortunately, an elbow injury briefly sidelined him, but he sprung back into action, finishing the season strong, with 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

With the arrival of the 2021 season, more opportunities emerged for Avery where he assumed the role of a starting outside linebacker. He managed a personal best in week 5 against the Carolina Panthers, recording 8 tackles in a 21-18 win. Avery continued to make significant contributions throughout the season, landing a total of 43 tackles and 1 sack. However, an unfortunate contraction of COVID led him to miss some games, although he still managed to play in 16 of them, starting 12.

On March 28, 2022, Avery took a fresh step in his career when he signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his time there was brief, with Avery being released before the season begun. He then had brief spells with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being signed by the Indianapolis Colts, in June 2023.

While he had to negotiate a few bumps, including an injury that landed him on injured reserve, he returned to playing, making significant contributions. His commitment to the Colts was solidified when he re-signed with them in March 2024. Despite a brief release, Avery was brought back into the practice squad, before being fully integrated back into the active roster.

This comprehensive examination of Genard Avery’s career thus far reveals a resilient and talented player who has fought his way to the top tiers of American football. His journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and determination.