Jonathan Ledbetter

Jonathan Ledbetter's Biography

Jonathan Leroy Ledbetter was born on September 12, 1997, and is a well-renowned figure in American football. As a defensive end, Ledbetter is currently a free agent. He started his football journey in college, specifically in Georgia where he played four seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Ledbetter spent his early years in Tucker, Georgia, and got his high school education from Tucker High School. His tactical ability and strength on the defensive end of the field had most scouting services rank him as a top ten defensive end in his class. In acknowledgment of his land marking prowess, he was chosen to play in the prestigious 2015 Under Armour All-America Game. Ledbetter exhibited firm commitment in his career as he had initially planned to hone his football skills at the University of Alabama. However, he later rescinded this commitment to play at the University of Georgia instead.

In his sophomore year at Georgia, despite serving a suspension from six games due to off-field issues, Ledbetter broke into the starting lineup and showcased brilliant performance with 24 tackles and a sack out of the seven games in which he played. As a junior, he registered 38 tackles, where 5.5 were for loss, and 2.5 sacks in fifteen games of which eleven he was a starter. His exceptional performance played a key part in Georgia reaching the Playoff National Championship Game.

Coming into his senior season as a Bulldog, Ledbetter became an unignorable force in the defensive line, leading all Georgia defensive linemen with a total of 56 tackles. He bravely stood as second on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss, with a sack and two forced fumbles under his belt. His incredible performance did not go unrecognized as he was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference by the league’s coaches. His overall college career paints the picture of a hardworking and skilled player, having made 122 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.

His post-college career saw him sign up with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019. He marked his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, where he debuted as a starter at defensive end. Unfortunately, his first game ended with a sour taste as his team suffered a 59-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, in spite of him making four tackles with a combined sack.

Subsequent seasons had their ups and downs, with him being placed on injured reserve and later waived with a non-football injury designation. However, his career took a turn for the better in August 2021, when he signed up with the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals. His dedication saw him gain a reserve/future contract early in 2022.

Ledbetter maintained his performance in the 2022 season, contributing to the Cardinals by recording 22 tackles and one sack. Although he sustained a knee injury against the Atlanta Falcons, which resulted in a season-ending placement on injured reserve, he resumed in the 2023 season as a starting defensive end.

Off-field, Ledbetter has had his fair share of legal issues. Arrests in 2016 for possession of fake ID and underage possession of alcohol led to his suspension from the season opener, and later, for driving under the influence. However, his charges were dropped after he completed an education, counseling, and medical assistance program.

Despite his personal challenges, Ledbetter has displayed significant resilience in the face of adversity. This determination, coupled with his skill on the field, makes him a true embodiment of the spirit of American football.