T. J. McDonald

Last updated

T.J. McDonald
T.J. McDonald.jpg
McDonald with the St. Louis Rams in 2014
No. 22, 25
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1991-01-26) January 26, 1991 (age 33)
Fresno, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Edison (Fresno, California)
College: USC (2009–2012)
NFL draft: 2013  / Round: 3 / Pick: 71
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:415
Sacks:5.0
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:3
Interceptions:8
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Timothy "T. J." McDonald, Jr. (born January 26, 1991) is a former American football safety. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football at USC.

Contents

Early years

McDonald was born in Fresno, California. He attended Edison High School in Fresno, where he played high school football for the Edison Tigers. He was considered the second-best safety recruit in the nation by Rivals.com and Scout.com. [1] [2]

College career

McDonald during his time at USC TJ McDonald USC2012.jpg
McDonald during his time at USC

McDonald enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he played for the USC Trojans football team from 2009 to 2012. As a freshman in 2009, McDonald was a backup safety and special teamer, recording seven tackles in 13 games. In 2010, he took over as a starter and had a team leading 89 tackles, three interceptions and a quarterback sack. He was a second-team All-Pacific-10 Conference selection. [3] After a successful junior season in 2011, McDonald was highly decorated with awards. He was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection [4] and received first-team All-American honors from Pro Football Weekly [5] and The Sporting News . [6]

As a senior, he enjoyed the best season of his career in 2012, leading the team with 112 tackles, including 7.0 for loss, a sack, and two interceptions, and was named second-team All-Pac-12.

Professional career

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg T.J. McDonald's NFL Combine Workout
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 2+1⁄2 in
(1.89 m)		219 lb
(99 kg)		33+1⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		4.59 s1.58 s2.57 s4.20 s6.89 s40 in
(1.02 m)		10 ft 11 in
(3.33 m)		19 repsx
All values from NFL Combine [7] [8]

St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams

The St. Louis Rams selected McDonald in the third round (71st overall) of the 2013 NFL draft. [9] He was the sixth safety selected in 2013. [10]

2013

On June 14, 2013, the St. Louis Rams signed McDonald to a four-year, $3.79 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $679,740. [11] McDonald entered training camp slated as the starting free safety. [12] Head coach Jeff Fisher named him the starting free safety to start the regular season, alongside strong safety Darian Stewart. [13]

He made his professional regular season debut in the St. Louis Rams' season-opener against the Arizona Cardinals and recorded five combined tackles and a pass deflection in their 27–24 victory. [14] On September 26, 2013, McDonald recorded three combined tackles before exiting the Rams' 35–11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers after slightly fracturing his right leg. [15] On September 27, 2013, the St. Louis Rams placed McDonald on injured reserve with a designation to return list. [16] The injury sidelined him for six games (Weeks 5–10) and he would return to practice on November 21, 2013. He returned in Week 12 and made six combined tackles during a 42–22 win against the Chicago Bears. [17] [18] In Week 14, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles in the Rams' 30–10 loss at the Arizona Cardinals. [14] On December 15, 2013, McDonald recorded five combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception during a 27–16 victory at the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. [14] He made his first career interception off a pass by Drew Brees that was originally intended for tight end Jimmy Graham on the Saints' first offensive play of the game. [19] The following week, McDonald recorded six solo tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback Mike Glennon during a 23–13 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. [20] McDonald finished his rookie season in 2013 with 53 combined tackles (45 solo), four pass deflections, a sack, and an interception in ten games and ten starts. [21]

2014

McDonald entered training camp slated as the starting strong safety after Darian Stewart departed during free agency. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams opted to move him to strong safety as McDonald was better suited for the position over Rodney McLeod. [22] Head coach Jeff Fisher officially named McLeod and McDonald the starting safeties to begin the season. [23]

In Week 5, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (ten solo) and broke up a pass during a 34–28 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles. [24] On December 7, 2014, McDonald made four tackles and intercepted a pass by Robert Griffin III in the Rams' 24–0 victory at the Washington Redskins in Week 14. [24] In Week 16, he tied his season-high of 11 combined tackles (nine solo) and sacked quarterback Eli Manning during a 37–27 loss to the New York Giants. [24] He finished his second season with a career-high 105 combined tackles (84 solo), six pass deflections, two sacks, and an interception in 16 games and 16 starts. [21]

2015

McDonald and McLeod entered training camp slated as the starting safeties. [25] Head coach Jeff Fisher officially named them the starting duo to begin the season. [26]

On September 27, 2015, McDonald collected a season-high eight combined tackles in the Rams' 12–6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. The following week, he recorded six combined tackles and a sack during a 24–22 win at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. [27] He was inactive during the Rams' Week 9 loss at the Minnesota Vikings after injuring his foot the previous week. [28] On December 9, 2015, the St. Louis Rams placed McDonald on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury that would require surgery. [29] Head coach Jeff Fisher stated McDonald had been dealing with the injury throughout the entire season and was placed on injured reserve for his best interest of his sustained health for the future. [30] He finished the 2015 season with 63 combined tackles (39 solo), a pass deflection, and a sack in 11 games and 11 starts. [21]

2016

The St. Louis Rams moved back to Los Angeles in 2016 after 21 seasons in St. Louis. Head coach Jeff Fisher retained McDonald as the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, along with free safety Maurice Alexander. [31]

In Week 3, McDonald recorded three solo tackles and sacked quarterback Jameis Winston during a 37–32 victory at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [32] The following week, he made one tackle, two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Carson Palmer during a 17–13 victory at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. [32] On November 27, 2016, McDonald recorded a season-high seven solo tackles during a 49–21 loss at the New Orleans Saints in Week 12. [32] On December 12, 2016, Los Angeles Rams' general manager Les Snead fired head coach Jeff Fisher and named special teams coordinator John Fassel the interim head coach for the last three games of the regular season. The Rams stood at 4–9 at the time and suffered a 42–14 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons the previous day. [33] On January 1, 2017, he made five combined tackles, broke up a pass, and made an interception during the Rams' 44–6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17. [32] He finished his last season with the Rams with 64 combined tackles (50 solo), six pass deflections, a career-high two interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts. [21] He earned the 58th highest overall grade from Pro Football Focus, among the 89 qualifying safeties. [34]

2017

On March 29, 2017, it was reported that McDonald received an eight-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The suspension was in relation to his arrest the previous year (see personal life). [35] He also attended a meeting with the Miami Dolphins on the same day he received his suspension. [36]

Miami Dolphins

On March 31, 2017, the Miami Dolphins signed McDonald to a one-year, $1.34 million contract. [37] [11] During training camp, McDonald competed against Nate Allen to be the starting free safety. [38] Head coach Adam Gase named McDonald the starting free safety for the regular season, along with strong safety Reshad Jones. Nate Allen was named his replacement while he served his eight-game suspension.

On September 2, 2017, the Miami Dolphins signed McDonald to a four-year, $24 million contract extension with $10 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4.76 million. [11] [39]

In Week 10, he made his regular season debut as a member of the Miami Dolphins and collected a season-high nine combined tackles in their 45–21 loss at the Carolina Panthers. On December 3, 2017, McDonald recorded three combined tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception in the Dolphins' 35–9 victory against the Denver Broncos in Week 13. [40] He finished the 2017 season with 45 combined tackles (31 solo), three pass deflections, and an interception in eight games and eight starts. [21] Pro Football Focus gave McDonald an overall grade of 74.3, ranking him 59th among all qualifying safeties in 2017. [41]

2018

In 2018, McDonald started 14 games, recording 86 tackles, five passes defensed, and a career-high three interceptions.

On August 25, 2019, McDonald was released by the Dolphins. [42]

NFL career statistics

YearTeamGamesTacklesFumblesInterceptions
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckFFFRYdsIntYdsAvgLngTDPD
2013 STL 1010534581.00001-2-2.0-204
2014 STL 161610584212.001312020.02007
2015 STL 11116339241.0110000.0001
2016 LAR 16166450141.0000200.0006
2017 MIA 884531140.0000177.0703
2018 MIA 14148663230.001034113.63105
Career6161330249815.01238253.120020

Personal life

McDonald's father, Tim, also attended USC and played 13 years in the NFL. [43] His brother, Tevin, briefly played for the Oakland Raiders in 2015.

On May 10, 2016, McDonald was arrested for DUI, and was charged on September 15, 2016. In January 2017, he pleaded guilty for his DUI along with possession of drugs. In the aftermath, McDonald was fined $390, received 36 months of probation, and was ordered to undergo 200 hours of community service in addition to attending a three-month alcohol program along with 18 narcotic anonymous classes. [44] On March 29, 2017, while a free agent, McDonald was suspended for the first eight games of the 2017 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, regarding his previous DUI charge. [45]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Clements</span> American football player (born 1979)

Nathan D. Clements is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 21st overall pick, and also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antrel Rolle</span> American football player (born 1982)

Antrel Rocelious Rolle is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning unanimous All-American honors. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the eighth overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft. Rolle also played for the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, winning Super Bowl XLVI with New York in 2011 over the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Wilson (American football)</span> American football player and executive (born 1979)

Adrian Lemar Wilson is an American football executive and former player who currently serves as the vice president of player personnel for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). Wilson played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2001 NFL draft. He also played for the New England Patriots and the Chicago Bears, playing as a safety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ike Taylor</span> American football player (born 1980)

Ivan "Ike" Taylor is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft, and spent his entire 12-year career in Pittsburgh. He played college football at University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Bethea</span> American football player (born 1984)

Antoine Akeem Bethea is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Howard Bison and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. Bethea also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. He was selected for the Pro Bowl three times and won Super Bowl XLI as a member of the Colts, beating the Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Laurinaitis</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

James Richard Laurinaitis is an American football coach and former player. He is the current linebackers coach for Ohio State. He played as a linebacker for the St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State, where he was a three-time consensus All-American and won numerous awards. He was drafted by the Rams in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Nelson</span> American football player (born 1983)

Reggie Lee Nelson is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators, winning a national championship and earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft and also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Weddle</span> American football player (born 1985)

Eric Steven Weddle is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the Utah Utes, earning consensus All-American honors in 2006. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. During his nine seasons with the Chargers, Weddle received three Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections. He spent his next three seasons as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, earning Pro Bowl honors in each and extending his total selections to six. He retired after playing for the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, but returned two years later to join the Rams on their playoff run, which culminated with a start and a victory in Super Bowl LVI. Following the championship, he retired a second time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malcolm Jenkins</span> American football player (born 1987)

Malcolm Jenkins is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning consensus All-American honors, and winning the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft and played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2014 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darian Stewart</span> American football player (born 1988)

Darian Stewart is an American former professional football player who was a strong safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent after the 2010 NFL draft and has also played for the Baltimore Ravens. As a member of the Denver Broncos, he won a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Barron</span> American football player (born 1989)

Mark Barron is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Alabama, where he was twice recognized as an All-American, and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. He was drafted as a strong safety by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, where he played for two and a half seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Rams in 2014, where he moved to the linebacker position. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reshad Jones</span> American football player (born 1988)

Reshad Monquez Jones is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the Georgia Bulldogs. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamarcus Joyner</span> American football player (born 1990)

Lamarcus Joyner is an American football safety who is a free agent. After being named 2009 Defensive High School Player of the Year by USA Today, he played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Shields</span> American football player (born 1987)

Samuel George Shields III is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. Shields was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He won Super Bowl XLV with the team over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alec Ogletree</span> American football player (born 1991)

Alec Ogletree is a former American football linebacker. He played college football for the University of Georgia and was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the New York Giants, New York Jets, and Chicago Bears.

Marcus Tyler Gilchrist is a former American football safety. He played college football at Clemson. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft and also had stints with the New York Jets, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Da'Norris Searcy</span> American football player (born 1988)

Da'Norris Searcy is a former American football safety. He played college football for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He currently works at his alma mater as the Director of Football Student-Athlete Development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tavon Wilson</span> American football player (born 1990)

Tavon Wilson is a former American football safety. He played college football at the University of Illinois, and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. With the Patriots, Wilson won Super Bowl XLIX, and he has also played for the Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney McLeod</span> American football player (born 1990)

Rodney McLeod Jr. is an American football safety for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). McLeod played college football at Virginia and signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, and won a Super Bowl with them in 2017.

Maurice Alexander is a former American football linebacker and safety. He played college football at Arizona Western College and Utah State and was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ Rivals.com bio
  2. ↑ Scout.com bio
  3. ↑ Pac-10 Football Awards And All-Conference Team Announced
  4. ↑ Miller, Ted (December 9, 2011). "ESPN.com All-Pac-12 team". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  5. ↑ PFW 2011 All-American Team
  6. ↑ The Sporting News All American Team
  7. ↑ NFL Combine profile
  8. ↑ NFL Draftscout.com
  9. ↑ "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  10. ↑ "T.J. McDonald Drafted to the St. Louis Rams in the Third Round of the 2013 NFL Draft". reignoftroy.com. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 "Spotrac.com: T.J. McDonald contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Ourlads.com: St. Louis Rams Depth Chart: 07/01/2013". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Ourlads.com: St. Louis Rams Depth Chart: 09/05/2013". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 "NFL Player stats: T.J. McDonald (2013)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  15. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (September 26, 2013). "T.J. McDonald fractures leg in Rams' loss to 49ers". NFL.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  16. ↑ Wagoner, Nick (September 27, 2013). "McDonald breaks leg, could return". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  17. ↑ Crabtree, Curtis (November 21, 2013). "T.J. McDonald returns to practice for Rams". NBCSports.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  18. ↑ Thomas, Jim (November 24, 2013). "Rams roll to wild 42-21 win over Chicago". StLouisToday.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  19. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 15-2013: New Orleans Saints @ St. Louis Rams". NFL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  20. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 16-2013: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ St. Louis Rams". NFL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "NFL Player stats: T.J. McDonald (career)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  22. ↑ Gerwell, Steve (May 12, 2014). "Breaking Down St. Louis Rams Roster After the 2014 Draft". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Ourlads.com: St. Louis Rams Depth Chart: 10/01/2014". ourlads.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  24. 1 2 3 "NFL Player stats: T.J. McDonald (2014)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  25. ↑ Wagoner, Nick (April 29, 2015). "Rams choose not to exercise option on S Mark Barron". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Ourlads.com: St. Louis Rams Depth Chart: 10/01/2015". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  27. ↑ "NFL Player stats: T.J. McDonald (2015)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  28. ↑ Lyons, Joe (November 7, 2015). "Rams facing injury trouble for Vikings game". stltoday.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  29. ↑ Alper, Josh (December 9, 2015). "Rams lose Robert Quinn, T.J. McDonald to season-ending surgeries". NBCSports.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  30. ↑ "T.J. McDonald Injury: Updates on Rams Safety's Shoulder and Recovery". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart: 10/01/2016". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  32. 1 2 3 4 "NFL Player stats: T.J. McDonald (2016)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  33. ↑ Axson, Scooby (June 29, 2017). "Watch the moment Jeff Fisher told his Rams staff he had been fired". SI.com. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  34. ↑ Gonzalez, Alden (March 30, 2017). "Free-agent safety T.J. McDonald suspended 8 games". espn.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  35. ↑ Klein, Gary (March 29, 2017). "Free-agent safety T.J. McDonald suspended by NFL for eight games". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  36. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (March 29, 2017). "T.J. McDonald suspended eight games of 2017 season". NFL.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  37. ↑ Patra, Kevin (March 31, 2017). "T.J. McDonald signs one-year deal with Miami Dolphins". NFL.com.
  38. ↑ "Film Breakdown: How will the Dolphins use their two new safeties? Let's check the tape". miamiherald.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  39. ↑ Patra, Kevin (September 2, 2017). "Dolphins sign T.J. McDonald to four-year, $24M deal". NFL.com.
  40. ↑ "NFL Player stats: T.J. McDonald (2017)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Pro Football Focus: T.J. McDonald". profootballfocus.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  42. ↑ Wolfe, Cameron (August 26, 2019). "Dolphins Cut McDonald in Wake of Position Switch". ESPN.com.
  43. ↑ T.J. McDonald and his dad Tim McDonald, USC safeties present and past, are studies in perseverance
  44. ↑ "Rams safety T.J. McDonald charged with DUI". NFL.com. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  45. ↑ Wesseling, Chris. "T.J. McDonald suspended eight games of 2017 season". NFL.com. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.