J. D. DiRenzo

Last updated
J. D. DiRenzo
No. 65 – Carolina Panthers
Position: Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1998-07-27) July 27, 1998 (age 25)
Hammonton, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school: St. Joseph Academy (NJ)
College: Sacred Heart (2017–2021)
Rutgers (2022)
Undrafted: 2023
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Games played:3
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

J. D. DiRenzo (born July 27, 1998) is an American football offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). 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 2023.

Contents

Early life and high school

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]

College career

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]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 4+5⁄8 in
(1.95 m)		306 lb
(139 kg)		32+5⁄8 in
(0.83 m)		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		5.31 s1.84 s2.88 s4.69 s7.45 s33.5 in
(0.85 m)		9 ft 2 in
(2.79 m)
All values from Pro Day [11]

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. [12] [13] 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. [14] [15] DiRenzo was signed to the active roster on January 2, 2024. [16] He finished the season having appeared in three games. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 "J.D. DiRenzo Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  2. 1 2 Schroeder, Charles (May 2, 2023). "Hammonton's JD DiRenzo to fulfill boyhood dream by signing with NFL team: 'It's now my job to prove them right'". Press of Atlantic City .
  3. ↑ "Area offensive football players at NCAA Division I colleges" . Press of Atlantic City . August 19, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "J.D. DiRenzo". Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
  5. ↑ Russo, John (July 27, 2020). "St. Joseph grad J.D. DiRenzo among Sacred Heart's preseason all-conference picks" . Press of Atlantic City .
  6. ↑ "NFL Draft Profile: J.D. DiRenzo, Offensive Lineman, Rutgers Scarlet Knights". Sports Illustrated . January 18, 2023.
  7. ↑ Hunt, Todderick (January 8, 2023). "Massive, 20-offer OL graduate transfer JD DiRenzo comes home to Rutgers". NJ.com.
  8. ↑ Iseman, Chris (March 29, 2022). "How transfer O-lineman JD DiRenzo is adjusting to Rutgers football and the Big Ten". Asbury Park Press .
  9. ↑ Russo, John (December 6, 2022). "Rutgers names St. Joseph grad J.D. DiRenzo offensive MVP: College notebook" . Press of Atlantic City .
  10. ↑ Dyer, Kristian (January 10, 2023). "Rutgers football: J.D. DiRenzo is set for the Hula Bowl". USA Today .
  11. ↑ "2023 NFL Draft Scout J.D. DiRenzo College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  12. ↑ Fonesca, Brian (August 29, 2023). "Rutgers in NFL: Which Scarlet Knights survived final cuts, made 53-man roster ahead of 2023 season?". NJ.com.
  13. ↑ Gantt, Darin (August 30, 2023). "Panthers add 11 players to the practice squad". Carolina Panthers.
  14. ↑ Rizzuti, Anthony (December 16, 2023). "Panthers elevate 2 offensive linemen for Week 15 matchup vs. Falcons". USA Today .
  15. ↑ "J.D. DiRenzo Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  16. ↑ Gantt, Darin. "Wideout Jonathan Mingo placed on IR with foot injury". Panthers.com. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
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