Christian Gonzalez Explained

Christian Gonzalez
Current Team:New England Patriots
Number:0
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:28 June 2002
Birth Place:Carrollton, Texas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:205
High School:The Colony (The Colony, Texas)
Draftyear:2023
Draftround:1
Draftpick:17
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:17
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:1
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:3
Statlabel6:Interceptions
Statvalue6:1
Statlabel7:Touchdowns
Pfr:GonzCh00

Christian Gonzalez (born June 28, 2002) is an American professional football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played two seasons of college football for the Colorado Buffaloes and one with the Oregon Ducks prior to being selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. He is the younger brother of Colombian-American hurdler Melissa Gonzalez.

Early life

Gonzalez was born on June 28, 2002, in Carrollton, Texas. He grew up in The Colony, Texas, and attended The Colony High School, where he was rated a four-star prospect as a cornerback and wide receiver. Gonzalez initially committed to play college football at Purdue University before enrolling at the University of Colorado.[1] [2] [3]

College career

Gonzalez would become a full-time cornerback upon joining the Colorado Buffaloes football team in 2020. He started every game as a freshman, making 25 tackles with five pass deflections.[4] [5] As a sophomore, he had 53 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and five passes broken up.[6]

Gonzalez transferred to the University of Oregon in 2022 to play for the Oregon Ducks.[7] He was named first-team All-Pac-12 after recording 45 tackles, 7 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions.[8] After the season, Gonzalez decided to forgo his remaining two years of eligibility and enter the 2023 NFL draft.[9]

Professional career

Gonzalez was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round (17th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft.[10]

On September 17 against the Miami Dolphins, Gonzalez recorded his first career interception.[11] On September 28, Gonzalez was awarded with his first NFL award, Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.[12]

On October 4, after suffering a torn labrum in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Gonzalez was confirmed to have a pair of season-ending injuries, having also suffered a dislocated shoulder, that required surgery. On October 7, Gonzalez was officially placed on injured reserve.[13]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Personal life

Gonzalez was born to a Colombian family. His father, Hector, is 6-foot-9 and played college basketball at the University of Texas at El Paso before playing semiprofessionally in Colombia. He has three sisters, Melissa, Samantha, and Lily. Melissa (University of Texas) and Samantha (University of Miami) were two-time All-Americans in track and field, with Melissa representing Colombia in international events.[14] Gonzalez is the brother-in-law of NFL coach and former quarterback David Blough, who is married to Melissa.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Carmin . Mike . August 6, 2019 . Texas defensive back Christian Gonzalez commits to Purdue football . August 24, 2022 . Journal & Courier.
  2. Web site: Gladstone . Mitchell . November 18, 2019 . The Colony cornerback Christian Gonzalez commits to Colorado, flipping from Purdue . August 24, 2022 . Dallas Morning News.
  3. Web site: Heisen . Aaron . April 22, 2022 . No matter what, Christian Gonzalez gives everything he’s got . August 26, 2022 . Daily Emerald.
  4. Web site: Ebisuya . Carly . August 15, 2021 . CU Buffs' Christian Gonzalez jumping into leadership role with cornerbacks . August 24, 2022 . The Denver Post.
  5. Web site: Howell . Brian . July 19, 2021 . CU Buffs position preview: CBs have talent, potential . August 24, 2022 . The Denver Post.
  6. Web site: Crepea . James . April 6, 2022 . Why adding Christian Gonzalez was critical to what Oregon Ducks defense is aiming to do under Dan Lanning . August 24, 2022 . The Oregonian.
  7. Web site: Staley . Antwan . January 8, 2022 . Former Colorado cornerback Christian Gonzalez transfers to Oregon . August 24, 2022 . The Register-Guard.
  8. Web site: Mellor . Cam . December 6, 2022 . 2022 All-Pac-12 College Football Team and Individual Honors . December 20, 2022 . Pro Football Network.
  9. Web site: Scarborough . Alex . December 4, 2022 . Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez enters NFL draft, to skip bowl . December 20, 2022 . ESPN.com.
  10. Web site: Buchmasser . Bernd . 2023-04-27 . Patriots draft Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick . 2024-05-03 . Pats Pulpit . SB Nation . en.
  11. Web site: 2023-09-18 . Christian Gonzalez earns praise from Bill Belichick after rookie's first career interception - CBS Boston . 2024-06-08 . CBS News - Boston . en-US.
  12. Web site: September 28, 2023 . Christian Gonzalez Named Defensive Rookie of the Month for September . 2024-06-08 . Patriots.com . en-US.
  13. Web site: DeArdo . Bryan . October 7, 2023 . Patriots first-round pick Christian Gonzalez placed on injured reserve; Matt Judon still on active roster . October 8, 2023 . CBSSports.com . en.
  14. Web site: Lozano . Juan . November 6, 2022 . Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez crushed old team . January 16, 2023 . Our Esquina.