Junior Colson

Junior Colson's Biography

Junior Colson, born in Mirebalais, Haiti, on December 6, 2002, is a Haitian-American professional football player who currently plays as a linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL. This 6 ft 2 inches tall athlete has a rising career trajectory and a heart-stirring background that tells the tale of adaptable resilience necessary for a career in sports.

In his early years, Colson’s life was filled with trials and difficult adjustments. At the tender age of seven, he lost his father and was relocated to an orphanage in Port-au-Prince run by his uncle. However, a major shift occurred when he was eight. A devastating earthquake hit Haiti; during the course of this natural disaster, he met Steve and Melanie Colson, an American couple from Tennessee, who were on a church mission. After a lengthy and complicated adoption process, he joined the Colson family and relocated to Tennessee in May 2012.

His introduction to America was colored by his new family’s passion for football, specifically for the Michigan Wolverines. Upon touchdown in the USA, young Junior was greeted by family members donning Michigan hats, a sight that would later hold significance in his trajectory as a football player. The young Haitian boy was stepping into an unfamiliar culture and a new language.

Growing up, Colson was exposed to football culture, but his initial interest was in soccer. After the move to Tennessee, he discovered a new affinity for American football. He began his American high school life as a linebacker at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee. His natural athleticism was immediate, positioning him as a four-star recruit in the national football scene. By 2021, Colson was in the national spotlight, ranking among the top 100 players in the country, and he was considered the #10 overall linebacker and the second-best player in Tennessee.

Junior’s destiny with the Michigan Wolverines began at a football camp where he met Michigan’s head coach, Jim Harbaugh. After being offered a scholarship, he committed to play college football at the University of Michigan, turning down numerous other prestigious offers.

Starting university life at Michigan in 2021, he hit the ground running. As a competent freshman, he started in seven games, with a career tally that included 60 tackles, landing him the fourth rank on the team, and his first career sack against Penn State. This performance earned him the honor of “Freshman All-American”.

His sophomore year saw him start all 14 games, bagging 101 tackles and two sacks, placing him team-high. His performance bore fruit when he was voted second team All-Big Ten by the coaches. This year’s personal best was recorded at the Big Ten Championship Game where he made an impressive 15 tackles contributing to the victory against Purdue.

Colson’s irrefutable prowess shone brighter in his junior year, leading his team, the Michigan Wolverines, to clinch the national championship in 2023, with a high of 95 tackles credited to him. His commendable performance for the team earned him recognition as Second-team All-Big Ten by both coaches and media. His athletic brilliance was further recognized as he won the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Entering the professional realm in 2024, Colson was selected 69th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round of the NFL drafts, marking the beginning of his thriving career in the NFL. Today, he stands as an embodiment of resilience and determination, with a career that is a standing testament to his hard work and commitment. Junior Colson, a kid from Haiti, through adapting to various cultural shifts, personal loss, and learning new skills, has emerged as a notable athlete in American professional football.