LaDarius Hamilton explained

La'Darius Hamilton
Position:Defensive end
Birth Date:18 January 1998
Birth Place:Corrigan, Texas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:261
High School:Corrigan-Camden
(Corrigan, Texas)
College:North Texas (2016–2019)
Undraftedyear:2020
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Cflstatus:American
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:4
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Cfl:ladarius-hamilton/
Pfr:H/HamiLa01

La'Darius Hamilton (born January 18, 1998) 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.[1]

Early years

Hamilton attended Corrigan-Camden High School, where he played up to six positions on the football team (offensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, tight end, long snapper and at times, placekicker).[2]

As a sophomore, he received District 12-2A-DII defensive newcomer of the year honors. He was named first-team All-district as a junior and senior.

As a senior, he tallied 83 tackles, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, while contributing to the team reaching the quarterfinal round of the Texas Class 3A Division II playoffs.

College career

Hamilton accepted a football scholarship from North Texas University. Hamilton was a three-star recruit coming into North Texas, and in his first year was featured on the Conference USA All-Freshman team. He appeared in all 13 games, collecting nine tackles (three for loss) and one sack.

As a sophomore, he appeared in 14 games with 8 starts, posting 40 tackles (four for loss), one interception, one fumble recovery and five quarterback hurries.

As a junior, he appeared in 13 games with 11 starts, registering 33 tackles (11 for loss), 7.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries. In a game against Louisiana Tech, he wore Mean Joe Greene's retired number 75 on his jersey, during the week when the school unveiled a statue to honor Greene.[3] He had three tackles, two sacks, and one quarterback hurry against the University of Arkansas.

As a senior, he appeared in 12 games, totaling 39 tackles (10.5 for loss), 8.5 sacks (led the team) and one forced fumble. He had six tackles (2.5 for loss), two sacks and three quarterback hurries against Southern Methodist University. He finished tied for sixth place in North Texas career sacks (17.0) and tackles for loss (28.5).[4]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Hamilton was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2020 NFL draft on April 26. As a rookie, he spent the entire year on the Cowboys' practice squad. He was waived after the 2021 NFL draft on May 5, 2021.[5]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On May 6, 2021, Hamilton was claimed off of waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[6] On August 31, he was released before the start of the season and signed to the practice squad on September 2, 2021.[7]

Green Bay Packers

2021 season

Hamilton was signed off the Buccaneers' practice squad by the Green Bay Packers on September 17, 2021, to fill the roster spot that was opened with Za'Darius Smith being put on short-term injured reserve.[8] He was waived on November 13, and re-signed to the practice squad three days later.[9] [10]

He was elevated to the active roster on November 20 ahead of a Week 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings.[11] He was elevated to the active roster again on November 27 ahead of a Week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams.[12] He was elevated to the active roster the third time on January 8, 2022, ahead of a Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions.[13]

2022 season

On January 25, 2022, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Packers.[14] He was waived on August 30, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[15] [16]

On October 22, 2022, Hamilton was elevated to the active roster for the week 7 game against the Washington Commanders and once again three weeks later against the Dallas Cowboys.[17] [18] On November 17, 2022, Hamilton was elevated to the active roster for the week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans.

2023 season

Hamilton signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023.[19] He was released on August 1, 2023.[20]

San Francisco 49ers

On August 19, 2023, Hamilton signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[21] He was waived on August 27, 2023.[22]

Toronto Argonauts

On February 14, 2024, it was announced that Hamilton had signed with the Toronto Argonauts.[23] However, he was part of the final training camp cuts on June 1, 2024.[24]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year Team GP GS Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Total Solo Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR
GB6 0 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GB3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 9 0 4 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: pro-football-reference.com

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: LaDarius Hamilton Biography. ESPN.
  2. Web site: LaDarius Hamilton, Corrigan-Camden, Inside Linebacker. 247Sports.
  3. Web site: East Texan to wear retired 'Mean' Joe Greene jersey number Saturday. Caleb. Beames. ktre. September 27, 2018 .
  4. Web site: LaDarius Hamilton – Football. University of North Texas Athletics.
  5. Web site: Ladarius Hamilton (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more. dallascowboys.com.
  6. Web site: Bucs Claim OLB Ladarius Hamilton from Cowboys. buccaneers.com.
  7. Web site: Bucs claim Ladarius Hamilton off waivers from Cowboys. profootballtalk. May 6, 2021 .
  8. Web site: Packers signing OLB Ladarius Hamilton off Buccaneers practice squad. September 17, 2021.
  9. Web site: Packers activate QB Aaron Rodgers off reserve/COVID-19 list. Packers.com. November 13, 2021.
  10. Web site: Packers place LB Whitney Mercilus on injured reserve. Packers.com. November 16, 2021. November 17, 2021. November 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211116224101/https://www.packers.com/news/packers-place-lb-whitney-mercilus-on-injured-reserve. dead.
  11. Web site: Packers elevate LB La'Darius Hamilton, WR Juwann Winfree for gameday . packers.com . November 20, 2021.
  12. Web site: Packers elevate LB La'Darius Hamilton for gameday as COVID-19 replacement . packers.com . November 27, 2021.
  13. Web site: Packers activate C/G Josh Myers off injured reserve . packers.com . January 8, 2022.
  14. Web site: Packers sign 10 free agents. Packers.com. January 25, 2022.
  15. Web site: Press release: Packers announce roster moves. packers.com . August 30, 2022.
  16. Web site: Packers sign S Rudy Ford . packers.com . August 31, 2022 . August 31, 2022.
  17. Web site: Packers announce roster moves & injury updates ahead of Washington game . packers.com . October 22, 2022 . October 22, 2022.
  18. Web site: Packers sign CB Corey Ballentine to active roster. packers.com. November 12, 2022. November 12, 2022.
  19. Web site: Packers sign 13 free agents. packers.com. January 10, 2023. January 10, 2023.
  20. Web site: August 1, 2023 . Packers release LB La'Darius Hamilton. August 1, 2023 . packers.com.
  21. Web site: August 19, 2023 . 49ers Sign Two Defensive Linemen; Place Taco Charlton on IR. August 19, 2023 . 49ers.com.
  22. Web site: 49ers Waive Five Players Ahead of NFL Roster Reductions. 49ers.com. August 27, 2023.
  23. Web site: Boatmen welcome American DL LaDarius Hamilton . . February 14, 2024.
  24. Web site: Cutdown tracker: Teams make their final roster moves . . June 2, 2024.