Johnathan Abram

Johnathan Abram's Biography

Johnathan Jauquez Abram, popularly known as Johnathan Abram, is an American professional football player who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 25, 1996, Abram had a significant history in American football, demonstrating immense prowess both in his high school years and college football season.

Abram started out carving his football career at East Marion High School, an establishment that helped cultivate his aptitude on the field. This invaluable training period, where he played for the East Marion Eagles, allowed him to score a 2-star recruit, eventually leading to his commitment to Georgia on November 1, 2014.

However, Abram made the decision to transfer following his freshman season at Georgia, opting to continue his career at Jones College. Remarkably, a mere four months after Abram’s exit, he was awarded a scholarship from his previous institution, the University of Georgia. On December 16, 2016, Abram made the notable announcement informing that he’d accepted an opportunity to compete for Mississippi State during his final two years of college football eligibility. This period saw Abram demonstrate versatility, taking snaps as a linebacker in Mississippi State, echoing similar responsibilities he had held in high school.

In his senior year at Mississippi State, Abram commanded the team’s defensive lineup, delivering exceptional performance; he led the team with his formidable 93 tackles. His impressive performance didn’t go unnoticed; Abram was named to the first-team All-Southeastern Conference by media coverage and to the second-team by the coaches. Ahead of the 2019 NFL draft, Abram was honored with an invitation to participate in the 2019 Senior Bowl coached by Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Abram’s accomplishments heightened when the Oakland Raiders decided to draft him during the first round (27th overall) of the 2019 NFL. The selection came as a replacement pick acquired from a trade agreement that saw the Dallas Cowboys trade Amari Cooper in October 2018.

Even as a rookie, Abram proved his worth. During his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, he demonstrated his tackling prowess, recording five tackles in the decisive 24–16 win. Regrettably, Abram suffered a setback during the same game, tearing his rotator cuff and labrum, injuries that led to his placement on the injured reserve list on September 13, 2019, essentially ending his season prematurely.

Following a grueling recovery period, Abram made a triumphant return during a match against the Carolina Panthers. Showing no signs of regression, he managed a team-high 13 tackles to secure a 34-30 win in the game. A testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport, Abram recorded his first profession interception during Week 3 against the New England Patriots. However, his performance did generate some criticism, with USATODAY highlighting concerns regarding his coverage skills and awareness.

Undeterred by the negative reviews, Abram came back stronger in the 2021 season, retaining his position as the Raiders’ starting strong safety. He delivered a career-best performance, registering 116 tackles, the season’s second-highest tally after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Abram’s stint with the Raiders reached a surprising end on April 29, 2022, when the team announced their decision not to pick up his fifth-year option, preparing him for free agency in the subsequent 2023 offseason. After a series of events that saw Abram claimed by the Green Bay Packers and released, then claimed by the Seattle Seahawks and let go, Abram found another home on March 22, 2023, when he signed with the New Orleans Saints.

Although waived during the final roster cuts in August 2023, the Saints recognized his potential by signing him back onto the practice squad on November 30. Proving his place once more, Abram scored one interception, one forced fumble, one pass deflection, and five tackles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Week 17.

Showing his unwavering resilience, Abram re-signed with the New Orleans Saints on March 20, 2024. Despite being cut during final roster cuts on August 27, Abram, being the gem he truly is in football, was yet again re-signed to the practice squad on August 28 even after contending for a starting safety role. This vivid illustration of Abram’s football career clearly portrays him as an embodiment of resilience and persistence.