Marlon Humphrey

Marlon Humphrey's Biography

Marlon N. Humphrey, an accomplished American professional football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL), was born on July 8, 1996, and nurtured his talent in Hoover, Alabama. Humphrey’s exceptional athletic performance was evident from the start of his football career at Hoover High School.

During his high school tenure, Humphrey was not only well-recognized on the field but also on the track. As a Hoover Buccaneer, he was a three-time All-State football selection, leading his team to statewide success in Alabama’s most populous High School Athletic Association (HSAA) classification. Hoover managed to clinch 6A State Championships in 2013, presenting a combined record of 30 wins and only a single loss over his junior and senior seasons. Furthermore, Humphrey achieved national notoriety as an elite high school athlete when USA Today named him to their All-USA high school football team in 2012 and 2013.

Also an accomplished track and field athlete, Humphrey competed worldwide capturing a silver medal in the 110 meters hurdles with a swift 13.24 seconds at the 2013 World Youth Championships that were held in Donetsk, Ukraine. He narrowly missed the top spot, bested by Jamaica’s Jaheel Hyde by a mere .01 seconds. His athletic prowess was further acknowledged when he was named to the USA Today All-American Track and Field Team in high school.

As a highly sought-after five-star football prospect in the class of 2014, Humphrey received considerable attention from top-tier football schools. Among his many suitors were powerhouses Alabama, Florida State, UCLA, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan State, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. However, Humphrey consistently expressed a preference for Alabama and, after officially visiting only Mississippi, Florida State, and his home-state school, he committed to the Crimson Tide on January 29, 2014.

Considered as high as the nation’s ninth-best recruit, Humphrey topped the player rankings at his position on several major recruiting sites, including Rivals.com, which placed him second only to Jabrill Peppers. Both Rivals and 247Sports deemed Humphrey the top prospect out of Alabama in his class, while ESPN ranked him just behind fellow Alabama recruit Bo Scarbrough.

In 2015 and 2016, Humphrey turned his attention to college football at the University of Alabama. Initially, Humphrey intended to compete in both collegiate track and football, but ultimately decided to focus solely on football. His choice paid significant dividends; as a redshirt freshman in 2015, Humphrey helped Alabama capture the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. He excelled in his first season, becoming a critical part of Alabama’s dramatically effective defense, and by 2016, he had earned a spot on the College Football All-America Team.

The 2017 NFL draft saw Humphrey selected 16th overall by the Baltimore Ravens. His impressive athletic skills and professional acumen have made Humphrey a significant presence in the NFL. In 2019, he moved from jersey number 29 to 44 in honor of the team’s new signee, Earl Thomas. His extraordinary performance in the same year earned him a first-team All-Pro honor and a spot on the Pro Bowl team, achievements he repeated in 2020 and 2022.

Humphrey’s talent did not cease to impress as he continued to shine on the field. His resilient performance led him to produce some pivotal plays over his regular-season stretches, facilitating victories for the Ravens. In addition to affecting games with his defensive prowess, Humphrey demonstrated a knack for creating scoring opportunities directly, returning both a fumble and an interception for touchdowns during the 2019 season.

Entering his fourth professional season, Humphrey signed a five-year, $97.5 million contract extension consolidating his position as a cornerstone of the Ravens’ defensive unit. This deal, which included $66 million guaranteed, served as recognition of the significant role Humphrey had played in the team’s success.

Unfortunately, Humphrey’s 2021 season was cut short due to a pectoral muscle injury he sustained in a match against the Steelers, forcing him onto injured reserve. This harsh setback came amidst a season in which he had continued to showcase his talents, recording 58 combined tackles, a quarterback hit, an interception, a forced fumble, and 13 pass deflections.

Despite the setback, Marlon N. Humphrey came back stronger at the start of the 2022 season. He maintained his starting role, aiding the Ravens in defeating the New York Jets with an invaluable performance featuring seven tackles, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery. As the season unfolded, Humphrey continued to demonstrate his defensive dominance by posting interceptions against the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills.

Marlon N. Humphrey’s undeniable talent and determination have elevated him to a distinguished position within American professional football. His story, from Hoover High School to the NFL, motivates upcoming athletes pursuing their dreams on the field and track. As he continues to make his mark in the NFL, Humphrey undoubtedly remains a highlight of the Baltimore Ravens’ success against opponent teams.