Jayron Kearse

7th-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

PRO: Jayron Kearse signed with the Dallas Cowboys during 2021 free agency, providing the team with a quality special teams player who has come along as a solid safety. Kearse arrives in Dallas after spending the first five seasons of his career in Minnesota (2016-19) and Detroit (2020), finishing 2020 on Baltimore's practice squad. Originally drafted in the seventh round (244th overall) by Minnesota in 2016, Kearse will look to battle for a starting safety spot and contribute on special teams in his first season in Dallas.

TRANSACTION SUMMARY:

3/30/21: Signed a one-year contract with Dallas through 2021.

12/31/20: Signed to Baltimore's practice squad and released (1/18).

7/31/20: Suspended for three games, reinstated (10/1) and cut (12/28).

3/19/20: Signed with Detroit as an unrestricted free agent through 2020.

4/30/16: Drafted in the seventh round (244th overall) by Minnesota.

2020 (Detroit/Baltimore):

• Started seven of the 11 games he played after signing with Detroit as an unrestricted free agent, missing the first three due to a league-mandated suspension.
• Finished the season on Baltimore's practice squad after his release from the Lions (12/28).
• In 11 games played, posted 56 tackles, two break ups, one pressure, one forced fumble and three special teams tackles.
• Tied his career-high with three outings of eight tackles - at Minnesota (11/8), against Washington (11/15) and at Chicago (12/6).
• Forced a fumble against Indianapolis (11/1).
• Released by Detroit and signed to Baltimore's practice squad where he spent the season finale and the Ravens two postseason games.

2019 (Minnesota):

• Started three of the 15 games he played and made an appearance in one playoff game, finishing the year with 27 tackles, one hurry and six breakups.
• Posted a career-high eight tackles with a breakup in the opener against Atlanta (9/8).
• Picked off his first career pass at Dallas (11/10).

2018 (Minnesota):

• Started one of the 16 games he played, contributing on special teams and as the club's nickel cornerback.
• Led the team with a career-high 18 special teams tackles while contributing 20 tackles, three for losses, a half sack, two hurries and two breakups on defense.
• Broke up his first career pass in the game at the LA Rams (9/27).
• Had back-to-back season-highs with four tackles - at the N.Y. Jets (10/21) and against New Orleans (10/28), adding his half sack in the Jets game.

2017 (Minnesota):

• Saw a majority of time on special teams in his second season, playing in 15 games and posting 14 special teams tackles.
• Also played in two playoff games adding a special teams tackle.
• Totaled three tackles and a tackle for loss on defense.
• Notched his first career tackle for loss against Cincinnati (12/17).

2016 (Minnesota):

• Played in all 16 games with one start, posting seven tackles on defense with six stops and a fumble recovery on special teams.
• Made his NFL debut in the opener at Tennessee (9/11), then logged his first career defensive stats at Philadelphia (10/23), adding six tackles.
• Earned his first career start, finishing with one tackle at Chicago (10/31).
• Had his fumble recovery on special teams in the finale against Chicago (1/1/17).

COLLEGE:

• A two-year starting safety at Clemson, playing in 40 games with 29 starts, earning first-team All-American honors as a junior, totaling 87 tackles - 6.5 for losses - one interception and eight pass breakups.
• As a sophomore, notched 65 tackles, five for losses, 3.0 sacks, two interceptions and seven passes defensed.
• Totaled 55 tackles, half a tackle for loss and a team-high (career-best) four picks in 2013 as a freshman.

PERSONAL:

• As a senior at South Fort Meyers, Fla., High School, helped his team to an 11-2 record, rushing for 528 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 18.9 yards-per-catch with five touchdowns and posting 87 tackles, 3.0 sacks and an interception from his safety position.
• His uncle, Jevon Kearse, played 11 NFL seasons, and his cousin, Phillip Buchanon, played 10.
• Has two daughters, Jariah and Jett, and a son, Jayron.
• Majored in communications at Clemson.