Jerel Worthy

Last updated

Jerel Worthy
Jerel Worthy.jpg
Worthy with the Green Bay Packers in 2012
No. 56, 69, 94, 99
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1990-04-26) April 26, 1990 (age 34)
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:298 lb (135 kg)
Career information
High school: Huber Heights (OH) Wayne
College: Michigan State (2008–2011)
NFL draft: 2012  / Round: 2 / Pick: 51
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:35
Sacks:2.5
Forced fumbles:1
Player stats at PFR

Jerel Worthy (born April 26, 1990) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. [1] [2] [3] [4] He played college football for Michigan State, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American.

Contents

Early life

Worthy was born in Dayton, Ohio. He originally attended Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio but then transferred to Wayne High School in Huber Heights, where he played high school football for the Wayne Warriors. As a senior for the Warriors, Worthy recorded 50 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 12 hurries. [5] Worthy was also responsible for seven pass breakups and two fumble recoveries [5]

Worthy's performance during his senior season earned him a spot on the Superprep and Prepstars Midwest Teams. [5]

College career

Recruiting

Coming out of High School, Worthy was ranked the 53rd Best Defensive Tackle by Rivals.com, 78th by Scout.com, and 93rd by Scouts Inc. [5] He was also invited to play June 14 Big 33 Football Classic. [5] Worthy received scholarship offers from Michigan State, Akron, Cincinnati, Marshall, Nebraska, and Ohio. [6] He was six foot two inches, 288 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds who bench pressed a maximum of 335 pounds and squatted a maximum of 470 pounds. [6] He had a 2.8 Grade-point average. [6]

Michigan State

Worthy attended Michigan State University, where he played for the Michigan State Spartans football team from 2009 to 2011. Worthy was redshirted for his freshman year but was still named the scout team defensive player of the week versus Eastern Michigan. [5] Coming on to the scene in 2009, he started 11 of 13 games and ranked second on the team for tackles for loss and sacks. [5] He was named a midseason All-Big Ten and All-American by Phil Steele. [7] At the end of the season, he was named as a freshman All-American [8]

As a sophomore, Worthy started all 13 games at defensive tackle and lead the linemen with 40 tackles, eight of which went for a loss. [5] He also had a team best four sacks. He was a collegefootballnews.com All-Sophomore second-team selection, honorable mention Big-Ten selection by the coaches and media, and was presented Michigan State's Outstanding Underclassman Award. [5]

For what turned out to be his final season at Michigan State, Worthy had 30 tackles (10.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, and 14 hits during the regular season. He was named a consensus first-team All-American honors by the Associated Press. [9] He was also an All-Big ten selection from the coaches and media. Worthy became the first defensive tackle since Ronald Curl in 1971 to be named an All-American at Michigan State. [5]

On January 4, 2012, Worthy announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2012 NFL Draft. [10]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Worthy was predicted to be a late first round to second round draft pick. Scouts talked about his size and called him thick and powerful. [11] They also stated that he had enough speed to "shoot through the gap" [12] Scouts also discussed his inconsistency and that his reputation was better than his actual production. [12] It was also stated that he struggled in space and could not translate his weight enough to make tackles on the ball carrier. [11]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 2+38 in
(1.89 m)
309 lb
(140 kg)
5.08 s4.56 s7.60 s28+12 in
(0.72 m)
8 ft 9 in
(2.67 m)
All results from NFL Combine [13]

Green Bay Packers

During the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft the Green Bay Packers traded the 59th overall pick and a fourth round selection to move up in the draft and select Worthy with the 51st overall pick. [14] [15]

New England Patriots

On August 12, 2014, Worthy was traded to the New England Patriots for a conditional late round draft choice in the 2015 NFL Draft, pending a physical. [16] He was waived by the Patriots on August 30, 2014.

Kansas City Chiefs

On September 9, 2014, Worthy signed with the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad. [17] He was released on October 21, 2014, [18] but re-signed to the practice squad 5 days later. On December 31, he signed a futures contract with the Chiefs. [19] He was waived on August 3, 2015.

Detroit Lions

After being placed on waivers by the Chiefs, the Detroit Lions claimed Worthy on August 4, 2015. The Detroit Lions cut Worthy from the team on September 5, 2015, at the 53 man roster deadline.

Buffalo Bills

On November 24, 2015, Worthy was signed to the Buffalo Bills' practice squad. On December 22, 2015, Worthy was signed to the active roster. He appeared in the final two games of the 2015 season and in 13 games in 2016.

On November 14, 2017, Worthy was released by the Bills. [20]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On August 20, 2018, Worthy was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [21] He was released by the Buccaneers on October 1, 2018. [22]

Orlando Apollos

On January 6, 2019, Worthy joined the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football. [23] However, he was placed on injured reserve before the start of the regular season, [24] and activated on March 5, 2019. The league ceased operations in April 2019. [25] In 4 games played, Worthy made 9 tackles and a sack. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Guy</span> American football player (born 1990)

Lawrence Thomas Guy is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. Prior to being drafted by the Green Bay Packers, he played college football at Arizona State. He has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Okam</span> American football player and coach (born 1985)

Franklin Nonyelu Okam, Jr. is an American football coach and former defensive tackle who is the former defensive line coach for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Okam played college football at Texas and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He also was a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Omaha Nighthawks, New York Giants, and Carolina Panthers.

Maurice D. Evans is a former gridiron football defensive end. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Penn State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B. J. Raji</span> American football player (born 1986)

Busari Alamu Raji Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boston College Eagles. Raji was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. He won Super Bowl XLV with the Packers against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ronald Talley is an American college football coach and former defensive end. He is the defensive line coach for Lawrence Technological University, a position he has held since 2024. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and later played for the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football for the University of Delaware and University of Notre Dame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. D. Jennings</span> American football player (born 1988)

Melvin Delanie Jennings is a former American football safety. He played college football at Arkansas State and was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Ryan (American football)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Jacob William Ryan is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Michigan. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Daniels (American football)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Michael Wayne Daniels Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Gholston</span> American football player (born 1991)

William Gholston is an American football defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State, and was selected by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akeem Spence</span> American football player (born 1991)

Akeem Spence is an American football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football at Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Datone Jones</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Datone Wayne Jones is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins from 2008 to 2012 as a defensive end and defensive tackle. In 2008, he was named to the Rivals.com All-Pac-10 freshman team. In 2009, he earned sophomore All-America honorable mention honors from College Football News after finishing the season with 4 sacks and 11 tackles. He missed the entire 2010 season after suffering an injury to his right foot during fall camp. In 2012, he was named second-team All-Pac-12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Bradford</span> American football player (born 1992)

Carl Thomas Bradford is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Arizona State, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was also a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL; the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL); the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football (AAF); and the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.

Ayokunle Olatunji "T. J." Fatinikun is a former American football defensive end. He played college football at the University of Toledo and attended Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio. He has been a member of the Portland Thunder, Orlando Predators and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Clark (defensive tackle)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Kenneth Duane Clark Jr. is an American football defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Playing college football for the UCLA Bruins, he was named a third-team All-American as a junior in 2015, when he also earned his second all-conference selection in the Pac-12. He was selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, with the 27th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyler Fackrell</span> American football player (born 1991)

Kyler Bruce Fackrell is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played high school football at Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona, before attending Utah State and playing for their football team on a scholarship. At Utah State, he was a four-year starter at linebacker where he was named to multiple All-Conference teams. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blake Martinez</span> American football player (born 1994)

Blake Edmon Martinez is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He attended Canyon del Oro High School in Oro Valley, Arizona before attending Stanford University on a scholarship. At Stanford, he was a two-year starter at linebacker for the Cardinal where he was named to the first-team All-Pac-12 team in 2015. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and has played in the NFL for the Packers, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Lowry</span> American football player (born 1994)

Dean Vincent Lowry is an American football defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats, where he was a four-year starter. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Jeremiah Ledbetter is an American football defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arkansas.

La'Darius Hamilton is an American professional gridiron football defensive end who is a free agent. He was most recently a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at North Texas, and originally signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers.

C. J. Brewer is an American football defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Coastal Carolina.

References

  1. "2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". Nfldraftscout.com. September 21, 2006. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  2. Prisco, Pete (May 1, 2011). "Flash forward: Top 32 picks for the 2012 NFL Draft". CBSSports.com . Archived from the original on September 28, 2011.
  3. Pauline, Tony (May 3, 2011). "Stanford's Luck headlines early look at top 2012 draft prospects". Sports Illustrated.
  4. Reuter, Chad (May 4, 2011). "2012 mock draft: First look with Luck and Heels". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Jerel Worthy". Michigan State University. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012. Archived May 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  6. 1 2 3 "Jerel Worthy Profile". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  7. Steele, Phil (2009). "Phil Steele". Phil Steele. Retrieved May 7, 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. "2009 Freshman All-American". AOL. December 16, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  9. "AP All-American football team". Associated Press. December 13, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  10. Slagter, Josh (January 4, 2012). "Report: Michigan State All-American Jerel Worthy hires agent, headed to NFL". Mlive.com. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  11. 1 2 "NFL Events: Combine Player- Jerel Worthy". NFL.com . Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  12. 1 2 Cambell, Charlie. "Jerel Worthy Scouting Report". Walterfootball. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  13. "Jerel Worthy 2012 NFL Draft". ESPN. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  14. "Packers trade up to take Worthy". Associated Press. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  15. "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  16. Wesseling, Chris (August 12, 2014). "Packers trade DL Jerel Worthy to Patriots". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  17. "Chiefs Sign Former Packer Jerel Worthy to Practice Squad". Sports.yahoo.com. September 9, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  18. Wilkening, Mike (October 22, 2014). "Chiefs release DE Jerel Worthy from practice squad". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  19. Martin, Keiana (January 20, 2015). "Chiefs Sign 19 To Reserve/Futures Contracts". Kcchiefs.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  20. Brown, Chris (November 14, 2017). "Bills sign DT Deandre Coleman". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018.
  21. Smith, Scott (August 20, 2018). "Bucs Add Jerel Worthy to Battered Line". Buccaneers.com.
  22. Smith, Scott (October 1, 2018). "Bucs Release DT Jerel Worthy". Buccaneers.com.
  23. "Orlando Apollos Daily Update". Our Sports Central. January 6, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  24. "Orlando Apollos Set Final Roster". Our Sports Central. January 30, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  25. Rothstein, Michael; Wickersham, Seth (June 13, 2019). "Inside the short, unhappy life of the Alliance of American Football". ESPN.com . Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  26. "Jerel Worthy".