| J. D. DiRenzo | |
| Position: | Offensive tackle |
| Birth Date: | 27 July 1998 |
| Birth Place: | Hammonton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 6 |
| Weight Lb: | 315 |
| High School: | St. Joseph Academy (NJ) |
| College: | Sacred Heart (2017–2021) Rutgers (2022) |
| Undraftedyear: | 2023 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Statseason: | 2023 |
| Statlabel1: | Games played |
| Statvalue1: | 3 |
| Pfr: | DiReJD00 |
J. D. DiRenzo (born July 27, 1998) is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football for the Sacred Heart Pioneers and Rutgers Scarlet Knights and was signed by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in .
DiRenzo was born on July 27, 1998, in Hammonton, New Jersey.[1] His grandfather, Dan DiRenzo, was reportedly a member of the Philadelphia Eagles during their 1948 and 1949 championship run.[2] He attended St. Joseph Academy and helped them win state championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015 while being a four-year letterman; he was selected third-team all-state and was first-team All-South Jersey and first-team all-conference in his senior year.[3] [4]
DiRenzo began his collegiate career with the Sacred Heart Pioneers, appearing in no games as a true freshman in 2017.[4] He then became a starter in 2018, starting all 11 games while helping the Pioneers have the best rushing offense in the conference.[4] Having been a right tackle in 2018, he shifted to left tackle in 2019 and started all 12 games while being named first-team All-Northeast Conference (NEC).[5]
In the spring 2021 season, postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DiRenzo started all five games and was named first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), first-team all-conference and All-New England as he helped Sacred Heart reach the FCS playoffs while winning the NEC championship.[4] He was a third-team All-American in 2021 while starting all 12 games at left tackle, additionally being chosen first-team All-NEC and All-New England.[4]
After having started 40 games for Sacred Heart, DiRenzo entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to play for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in 2022, using a final year of eligibility granted to him due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] [7] [8] He started all 12 games – nine at left guard and three at left tackle – and was named the team's offensive most valuable player.[9] He was invited to the Hula Bowl after the season.[10]
DiRenzo was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and was not selected in the 2023 NFL draft, but was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent.[2] He appeared on 102 snaps in preseason but was released at the final roster cuts, then re-signed to the practice squad.[11] [12] He was elevated to the active roster for the team's Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons, and made his NFL debut in the 9–7 win, playing seven total snaps.[13] [14] DiRenzo was signed to the active roster on January 2, 2024.[15] He finished the season having appeared in three games.
On August 6, 2024, DiRenzo was waived with an injury designation.[16]