Quinton Jefferson

BIOGRAPHY

Quinton Jefferson, a celebrated American professional football defensive end, was born on March 31, 1993, to parents Larry and Bahiyyah Jefferson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His formative years, marked by his passion for sports, led him to participate in both football and basketball at Woodland Hills High School.

His prowess in football caught the eye of the University of Maryland scouts. Propelled by his impressive high school football record, he received an offer from the university and in January 2011, he verbally accepted it. February of the same year saw Maryland seal the deal with Jefferson’s signing.

As a Terrapin, Quinton Jefferson played with an unrivaled determination. His four collegiate football years, which spanned over 37 games, saw him register an awe-inspiring record. In the 2015 season alone, Jefferson was credited with 12.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Sensing his potential, the Seattle Seahawks made a bold move during the 2016 NFL draft, swapping seventh-round picks with the New England Patriots, and offering a fourth-round pick from the 2017 draft to move up to #147 to choose Jefferson. This marked his entry into the big leagues, which was further cemented by the Seahawks signing him to a rookie contract in May 2016. Unfortunately, his rookie season was short-lived as he was placed on injured reserve following a knee injury.

Despite this setback, Jefferson continued to make powerful strides. After being waived by the Seahawks in September 2017, he was quickly claimed by the Los Angeles Rams. However, his stint with the Rams was short, as he returned to the Seahawks who signed him off the Rams’ practice squad in October that year. Following this, he had brief stints with the Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, and the New York Jets.

Quinton returned to the Seattle Seahawks in March 2022 to play what would be an impressive season, marked by starting in 17 games, recording 29 tackles, two passes defensed, and a career-high of 5.5 sacks. Despite his spectacular performance, Jefferson was released by the Seahawks in March 2023.

Undeterred, Jefferson signed with the New York Jets in April 2023. Here, he further elevated his game, starting in 14 contests and recording 34 tackles and a career-high of six sacks. Given his consistent performance, in March 2024, Jefferson signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns.

On the personal front, Jefferson obtained a degree in Family Science from the University of Maryland in December 2015. A dedicated family man, he is devoted to his wife, Nadia, and their four children. The couple is blessed with three daughters, the youngest two of whom are twins, and their youngest child is a son.

Undeniably, Quinton Jefferson’s journey, marked by relentless hard work, resilience, and unwavering determination, is a testament to his standing in the NFL ranks. Whether through his collegiate football days, his stints with various NFL teams, or as a family man off the field, Jefferson continues to inspire many by living up to his full potential.