Tanner Vallejo

Tanner Vallejo's Biography

Tanner Vallejo, born on December 16, 1994, is an acclaimed player in the realm of American professional football. Excelling in the position of linebacker, Vallejo currently stands as a free agent, having an illustrious career dotted with stints for prestigious NFL teams such as the Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns, the Washington Redskins, and the Arizona Cardinals.

Growing up in Nevada and attending Union High School, Tanner Vallejo was a regular on the football field even in those early days. Developing an impressive prowess in tackling and effective procedures in football, his impressive skills earned him the much-coveted MaxPreps All-American honors in his senior year. Beyond football, Vallejo showcased multi-sport capabilities, playing baseball for Nevada Union as well. This love for sports must have indeed been in his blood, hailing from an eclectic background with his grandfather originally from Ecuador.

Post high school, Vallejo moved towards higher education and attended Boise State. His time at the university was marked by a high level of involvement with college football. His sophomore year was particularly memorable, with Vallejo accomplishing 100 tackles, setting a precedent for his exemplary skills as a linebacker. Even more impressive, he blocked two kicks in a single game, contributing significantly to a 28–0 Broncos win. Although his progress was temporarily halted by a wrist surgery that brought his final season to a premature finish, Pro Football Focus keenly noted his agility and knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. His relatively smaller size was sometimes flagged as a concern, and his tackling efficiency during his senior year reportedly took a hit.

The next prominent milestone in Vallejo’s football journey was the 2017 NFL draft, where the Buffalo Bills selected him in the sixth round, having him as their 195th overall pick. Being the second linebacker drafted by the Bills that year, the forecast was that he would fill in the team’s weak-side linebacker requirement. A contract was secured on May 11, 2017, promising Vallejo a four-year stint with the Bills for $2.55 million, inclusive of a signing bonus amounting to $153,799.

Facing a knee injury in preseason did not deter Vallejo from clinging onto his roster spot. Unfortunately, he was waived by the Bills in September 2018. The Cleveland Browns claimed him off waivers the very next day, although he could only partake in 13 games before a hamstring injury led him to be placed on injured reserve by the end of the year. He was waived once again in February 2019.

Vallejo found new opportunities with the Arizona Cardinals on February 5, 2019 as they claimed him off waivers. Months later, following the final roster cuts, he was waived again in September. His football trajectory took a positive turn as he was claimed by the Washington Redskins a day after being waived by the Cardinals; however, he was waived yet again in November 2019. The Cardinals reintroduced him to their practice squad on November 20, 2019, promoting him to the active roster only a fortnight later.

During Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Vallejo exhibited his professional prowess with a sack on quarterback Devlin Hodges and forced a fumble on running back Benny Snell. Despite these highpoints, Vallejo was placed on injured reserve due to an injury on December 18, 2019. Vallejo continued to show determination in 2020, leading the team with 12 tackles and making his first sack of the season in the game against the Los Angeles Rams, even though they suffered an 18-7 loss.

In March 2021, Tanner Vallejo and the Cardinals renewed their professional bond with a two-year contract worth $4.1 million. However, a knee injury once again led him to be placed on injured reserve. After recovering, he was activated on January 1, 2022. Vallejo signed with the Minnesota Vikings in August 2023 but was released later that month, bringing him to his current free-agent status.

Tanner Vallejo’s diverse football history echoes both a journey rife with challenges and a professional timeline filled with successes and memorable plays. Despite the ups and downs of his career, he has showcased his potential in the NFL and continues to remain a key player to watch in the world of football.