Jayron Kearse

Jayron Kearse's Biography

Jayron Kearse, an accomplished American safety in professional football, was born on February 11, 1994, in Fort Myers, Florida. Prodigiously talented, Kearse sparked a life-defining journey in the Cypress Lake High School football team as a 5-foot-8 freshman. Remarkably, a sudden growth spurt saw him evolve into a starting quarterback on a Wing T offense team. Back then, he recorded astonishing numbers: 1,049 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, not to mention 5 passing touchdowns.

In his junior year, the young footballer showed remarkable talent, recording deafening stats of 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns to augment his two impressive interceptions on defense. By his senior year, he had transferred to South Fort Myers High School where he continued his impressive performance with 528 yards rushing, five touchdowns, and an additional five receiving scores. All this guided his team to a remarkable 11-2 record. His prowess in the sport also allowed Kearse the honor of receiving an invitation to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Houston, Texas.

Despite his innate talent, Kearse often got categorized as an “athlete” by most recruiting services. The star still attracted the attention of Rivals.com, who named him as one of the top four-star recruits and the sixteenth best athlete in the nation. Remarkably, Scout.com also considered him the seventh-best outside linebacker in the class of 2012.

In August 2011, Kearse initially committed to Auburn University to continue developing his football talents. However, when Gus Malzahn, the coach of the Tigers, left for Arkansas State, Kearse also felt the need to shift course. Later, in January 2012, after a productive camp at Clemson, Kearse found a new football home at Clemson University, which he joined later that year.

The athletic prowess Kearse demonstrated at Clemson was nothing short of sensational. Taking on the position of a strong safety under the mentorship of head coach Dabo Swinney, Kearse showcased his prowess playing consistently from 2013 to 2015.

Two weeks into his freshman season, Kearse emerged as a possible nickelback for the Tigers. However, a shoulder injury disrupted his flawless run, causing him to miss some games. As a result, Kearse found himself entrusted with the role of Travis Blanks’ backup. But a knee injury to Blanks later afforded Kearse additional playing time, and he didn’t disappoint, showcasing stellar performances in the games that followed.

In 2014, Kearse became a full-time starting strong safety, reinforcing his status as a talented athlete. With the 2015 season, Kearse further amplified his reputation by showcasing an all-around ability, netting several awards and setting impressive records.

In the 2016 draft, Kearse was selected by the Minnesota Vikings. Despite facing some criticism, Kearse astounded fans by becoming one of the three tallest safeties in the league at 6-foot-4. Kearse’s stint with the Vikings further solidified his football career as he participated in their games from 2016 to 2019, registering impressive performances.

On March 27, 2020, Kearse signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions, though his tenure was marred by a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Unfortunately, he left the Lions before the season finale following some disciplinary issues. Ever resilient, Kearse bounced back by joining the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad for a brief period.

In March 2021, Kearse signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, where he reunited with senior defensive assistant George Edwards and continued his football journey, setting more records and earning recognition for his exceptional performance in the game. After a successful year, the Dallas Cowboys rewarded Kearse with a two-year contract extension worth $10 million. Kearse’s career, despite having some setbacks, displays impressive resilience, dedicated work ethic, and significant growth, making him an extraordinary sports personality.