K'Lavon Chaisson

K'Lavon Chaisson's Biography

K’Lavon Chaisson, born on July 25, 1999, carved his name in American professional Football as one of the most formidable linebackers, currently showcasing his skills for the Las Vegas Raiders, an esteemed team in the National Football League (NFL). His journey started on the fields of Louisiana State University (LSU), progressing to the first round of the 2020 NFL draft where he got selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking his entry into professional football.

Born and brought up in Houston, Texas, Chaisson’s affinity towards sports started shaping up in North Shore Senior High School. His high school years revealed a surprising shift of interest from Football to basketball, where he quit football in his freshman year, only to return with renewed enthusiasm in his junior year. It was as though a star had fallen on the grounds of North Shore, with Chaisson becoming an immediate starter at defensive end. He led Texas high schoolers, recording an impressive 15.5 sacks and 50 tackles, of which 13 were for loss, and pushing the threshold with three forced fumbles. This performance propelled North Shore to the Class 6A Division I state championship game, after which he was named the first-team All-State by the Associated Press.

Chaisson, with his striking performance, was soon named the defensive MVP of the game. He led the team with an extraordinary record of two sacks, four tackles for loss, a blocked kick, and a forced fumble, crafting a victorious path for North Shore with a game-saving tackle at fourth and goal which ensured a 21-14 win over Todd Dodge’s Westlake High School.

His senior year brought more accolades his way. Chaisson was named the 21-6A district defensive MVP, added to the Scout.com All-Midlands team, and earned an invitation to the 2017 Under Armour All-America Game. During the game, he stunned the onlookers with six tackles, five of which were for loss, and tied the game’s record with three sacks. His high school journey was rated as a five-star recruit by Scout.com and a four-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. Overcoming substantial offers from Florida and Texas, Chaisson committed to LSU opening the door to his college football journey.

Embracing the field as a true freshman, Chaisson started the first game of the LSU Tigers’ season against BYU, marking his first two career sacks in the following match with a compelling 45-10 win over Chattanooga. His brilliant performance led him to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team, ending the season with 27 tackles, two sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss in 12 games of which he started three. As luck would have it, after being named a starter at outside linebacker in his sophomore year, Chaisson suffered a knee injury in the season opener against Miami, which turned out to be a torn ACL and led to a medical redshirt.

Returning with the coveted No. 18 Jersey awarded by the Tigers’ coaching staff in his redshirt sophomore season, Chaisson left no stone unturned. He finished the season with 60 tackles, led the team with 6.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, and six quarterback hurries. His strong presence was felt with two passes broken up and a forced fumble leading him to be named as the first-team All-SEC. Chaisson earned the title of Defensive MVP of the 2019 Peach Bowl after a six-tackle, two-sack performance against Oklahoma. Thus, he ended his college career with 92 total tackles, including 19 for loss, 9.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.

Drafted into the NFL in 2020 by the Jacksonville Jaguars using a pick formerly owned by the Los Angeles Rams, Chaisson made his debut against the Indianapolis Colts, starting his pro career with two tackles. He marked his lone sack of the season the next week against the Tennessee Titans. Overcoming a knee injury that put him on injured reserve in October 2022, Chaisson was back on the field by December, only to have the Jaguars in May 2023, decline the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.

In 2024, Chaisson was signed by the Carolina Panthers, despite his subsequent release within a few months, he continued his career by making his way into the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad in September the same year. Shortly after, he was promoted to the active roster in October.

Adding a note of admiration for his father, Kelvin Chaisson, who was a linebacker at Baylor University and an inspiration for the junior Chaisson, who lost him to an unfortunate incident in 2014 when he was just a sophomore in high school, his father’s legacy undoubtedly inspired and motivated him in his football career.

With his tumultuous journey, from high school fields to NFL stadiums, K’Lavon Chaisson undeniably engraved his place in the annals of American professional football.