L'Jarius Sneed explained

L'Jarius Sneed
Current Team:Tennessee Titans
Number:38
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:21 January 1997
Birth Place:Minden, Louisiana, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:192
High School:Minden
(Minden, Louisiana)
College:Louisiana Tech (2016–2019)
Draftyear:2020
Draftround:4
Draftpick:138
Pastteams:
Status:Injured reserve
Highlights:
Statseason:2024
Statweek:7
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:326
Statlabel2:Pass deflections
Statvalue2:40
Statlabel3:Interceptions
Statvalue3:10
Statlabel4:Defensive touchdowns
Pfr:SneeLJ00

L'Jarius Sneed (; born January 21, 1997) is an American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round (138th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft.

Early life

After playing wide receiver for Minden High School,[1] Sneed committed to Louisiana Tech on February 3, 2016.[2]

College career

Sneed converted to cornerback at Louisiana Tech and saw playing time in his true freshman season, highlighted by an interception return touchdown against Western Kentucky in the Conference USA Championship Game. He started about half the games at corner during his sophomore season before moving into a permanent starting role his junior season.[3] He moved to free safety before his senior season,[4] and was named second-team all-C-USA after the season.[5] Sneed also participated in the 2020 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

Sneed was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round with the 138th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.[6] The Chiefs moved him back to cornerback during his rookie training camp.[7]

In Sneed's professional debut against the Houston Texans in Week 1, he recorded his first career interception in the 34–20 victory.[8] After breaking his collarbone in the Chiefs week 3 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sneed was placed on injured reserve on September 30.[9] He was activated on November 21, 2020.[10] In Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints, he recorded his first career sack during the 32–29 win.[11] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[12] In the Chiefs 22–17 victory in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Cleveland Browns, Sneed recorded a sack.[13] In the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills, Sneed recorded one sack in the Chiefs 38–24 victory.[14]

In 2022, Sneed won his first Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35, with Sneed recording seven tackles and two passes defended in Super Bowl LVII.[15]

In 2023, during the AFC Championship against the Ravens, Sneed punched out the football on a Zay Flowers reception at the one yard line, preventing a crucial touchdown. The play was primarily responsible for sending Kansas City to Super Bowl LVIII in a 17–10 road victory.[16] Sneed won his second Super Bowl Championship when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25–22 in Super Bowl LVIII.[17] He recorded three total tackles and a defended pass in the Super Bowl.[18]

On March 4, 2024, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Sneed.[19]

Tennessee Titans

On March 29, 2024, the Chiefs traded Sneed to the Tennessee Titans for a 2025 third-round pick and a swap of seventh-round picks.[20] He then signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract.[21]

Sneed began as the Titans' starting cornerback for the 2024 season, recording 23 total tackles through their first five games.[22] However, Sneed was declared inactive prior to Week 7's game against the Buffalo Bills due to a quadriceps sprain, and would proceed to miss the next five games. After further injury complications, he was officially moved to injured reserve (IR) by Week 12. Sneed was set to remain on IR through no earlier than Week 16, although coach Brian Callahan did not rule out a possible late season return.[23]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesFumblesInterceptions
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack FF FR Yds Int Yds Lng TD PD
2020KC964131102.03423907
2021KC15157657191.011022208
2022KC171710875333.531535726 0 11
2023KC1616 7860181 24 4 0 14
2024TEN55231940000000
Career 62 59 326 242 84 6.5 4 3 5 10 105 39 0 40

Postseason

YearTeamGamesTacklesFumblesInterceptions
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack FF FR Yds Int Yds Lng TD PD
2020KC3314952.0
2021KC33272071002
2022KC3 3 17 10 72
2023KC44 171431 3
Career13 13 75 53 22 2.0 1 1 0 7

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Branch . Blake . December 29, 2016 . Patience paid off for L'Jarius Sneed . April 20, 2020 . Minden Press-Herald.
  2. Web site: L'Jarius Sneed, Louisiana Tech, Athlete . April 20, 2020 . 247Sports.
  3. Web site: NFL Draft & Combine Profile – L'Jarius Sneed . April 20, 2020 . NFL.com.
  4. Book: Brugler, Dane . The Athletic's 2020 NFL Draft Guide . April 7, 2020 . The Athletic . 207–208 . April 20, 2020 . subscription.
  5. Web site: December 10, 2019 . FB: 2019 All-Conference Teams . April 20, 2020 . Conference USA.
  6. Web site: Teope . Herbie . April 25, 2020 . Chiefs fortify defensive backfield with fourth-round NFL Draft pick of L'Jarius Sneed . May 5, 2020 . The Kansas City Star.
  7. Web site: Fedotin . Jeff . August 26, 2020 . Kansas City Chiefs Are Counting On Rookie L'Jarius Sneed . September 11, 2020 . Forbes.
  8. Web site: September 10, 2020 . Chiefs begin title defense with 34–20 victory over Texans . September 10, 2020 . . Associated Press.
  9. Web site: Teicher . Adam . September 30, 2020 . Kansas City Chiefs CB L'Jarius Sneed has broken collarbone, put on IR . October 9, 2020 . ESPN.com.
  10. Web site: Williams . Charean . November 21, 2020 . Chiefs rule out Sammy Watkins, place Taco Charlton, Mitchell Schwartz on IR . December 27, 2020 . NBCSports.com.
  11. Web site: Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints – December 20th, 2020 . December 20, 2020 . Pro Football Reference.
  12. Web site: 2020 NFL All-Rookie Team . 2024-07-27 . . en.
  13. Web site: Divisional Round – Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs – January 17th, 2021 . January 20, 2021 . Pro Football Reference.
  14. Web site: AFC Championship – Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – January 24th, 2021 . January 31, 2021 . Pro Football Reference.
  15. Web site: Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023 . 2023-03-24 . Pro Football Reference.
  16. Web site: NFL Fans Were in Awe of Chiefs’ L’Jaruis Sneed’s Touchdown-Saving Punch. Sports Illustrated. January 28, 2024. Tyler. Lauletta.
  17. Web site: Maaddi . Rob . 2024-02-12 . Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25–22 over 49ers in overtime . 2024-02-14 . AP News.
  18. Web site: Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 11th, 2024 . February 16, 2024 . Pro Football Reference.
  19. Web site: Teicher . Adam . Chiefs use nonexclusive franchise tag on Sneed . ESPN.com . 2024-03-04 . 2024-10-12.
  20. Web site: Wyatt. Jim. It's Official: Titans Acquire Chiefs Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed Via Trade. tennesseetitans.com. March 29, 2024. March 30, 2024.
  21. Web site: Shook . Nick . March 26, 2024 . New Titans CB L'Jarius Sneed agrees to four-year, $76.4M contract . 2024-11-04 . NFL.com.
  22. Web site: L'Jarius Sneed 2024 Game Log . 2024-11-27 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  23. Web site: Suss . Nick . 2024-11-22 . L'Jarius Sneed's roller coaster debut Tennessee Titans season continues with trip to IR . 2024-11-27 . The Tennessean . en-US.