Rashan Gary

Rashan Abdul Gary (born December 3, 1997) is an American football defensive end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). In 2015 Gary concluded his high school football career at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey as the No. 1 ranked recruit in college football's class of 2016.^[1][2] He played college football at the University of Michigan, and was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Rashan Gary

Gary in college at Michigan in 2017
No. 52 – Green Bay Packers
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1997-12-03) December 3, 1997 (age 26) Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	277 lb (126 kg)
Career information
High school:	Paramus Catholic (Paramus, New Jersey)
College:	Michigan (2016–2018)
NFL draft:	2019 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12
Career history
Green Bay Packers (2019–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2× First-team All-Big Ten (2017, 2018)
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles: 179 Sacks: 31.5 Forced fumbles: 5 Fumble recoveries: 6 Pass deflections: 4
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Gary first played high school football at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, until he transferred to Paramus Catholic High School for his junior and senior seasons, after moving from Scotch Plains, where he lived with his father, to Plainfield with his mother.^[3][4] His first high school claimed that Paramus had recruited Gary, but the NJSIAA unanimously ruled that Scotch-Plains Fanwood had not proven its allegation.^[5] During his senior season, he had 13.5 sacks, 55 tackles, including 29 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in nine games.^[6] Following the season, Gary was named USA Today Defensive Player of the Year and High School All-American.^[7][8]

Gary participated in the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game, where he recorded six tackles and three sacks, and was named MVP.^[9]

Recruiting

He became the third player to be named the top player in the country unanimously by all four major recruiting networks, 247Sports.com, ESPN.com, Rivals.com, and Scout.com, following Jadeveon Clowney in 2011 and Robert Nkemdiche in 2013.^[10] In June 2015, Michigan hired Chris Partridge, Gary's former high school head coach, as their director of player personnel and recruiting. In January 2016, he was promoted to linebackers and special teams coach.^[11][12] After visits to Auburn, Clemson, Michigan, Ole Miss, and USC, Gary committed to play college football for the Michigan Wolverines on February 3, 2016.^[13]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40^‡	Commit date
Rashan Gary DT	Paramus, New Jersey	Paramus Catholic	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	289 lb (131 kg)	4.86	Feb 3, 2016
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN grade: 94
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 1 (DT); 1 (East); 1 (NJ)   Rivals: 1 (DT); 1 (Natl); 1 (NJ)  247Sports: 1 (Natl); 1 (DT); 1 (NJ)  ESPN: 1 (Natl); 1 (DT); 1 (East); 1 (NJ)
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Michigan Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016. "2016 Michigan Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016. "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016. "2016 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016.

College career

2016 season

As a freshman, Gary played in all thirteen games^[14] at defensive end, totaling 23 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.^[15] He was named to the Pro Football Focus College Big Ten Conference Defensive Team of the Week following his performance against UCF on September 10, 2016, in which he had 6 tackles and 2 tackles for loss, including 1 sack.^[16]

2017 season

During the 2017 season, Gary set career highs in tackles (58), tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (5.5). Following the 2017 season, Gary was named to the All-Big Ten defensive first team by the coaches, and second team by the media as well as the Associated Press.^[17][18] He made his first career start against Florida in the Advocare Classic on September 2, 2017. After Michigan's game against Indiana on October 14, 2017, Gary was named Defensive Lineman of the Game. Against Maryland on November 11, 2017, Gary had five total tackles including half a tackle for loss^[19] earning him co-Defensive Lineman of the Game with Chase Winovich and Maurice Hurst as well as Pro Football Focus College Big Ten Defensive Team of the Week. Following his 2017 season, he was awarded the Richard Katcher Award for the most outstanding defensive lineman or outside linebacker on the 2017 Michigan Wolverines football team.^[20]

2018 season

Prior to the 2018 season, Gary was named an AP second-team preseason All-American.^[21] He was also placed on preseason watchlists for several national awards, including the Chuck Bednarik Award,^[22] Bronko Nagurski Trophy,^[23] Walter Camp Award,^[24] and Ted Hendricks Award.^[25]

Gary recorded 38 total tackles during the 2018 season, including 6.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks.^[26] Gary struggled with a shoulder injury throughout the season, which caused him to see limited playing time in late September and miss the entirety of October games for the Wolverines.^[27] Regardless, following the season, he was named to the All-Big Ten defensive first-team by the coaches, and second-team by the media.^[28]

On November 26, 2018, after the conclusion of Michigan's regular season, Gary announced he would forgo his senior season to enter the 2019 NFL Draft.^[29] He decided to sit out the Wolverines' bowl game, the Peach Bowl against Florida, to prepare for the draft.^[30]

College statistics

Michigan Wolverines
Season	Class	Pos	GP	Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
				Solo	Ast	Cmb	TfL	Sck	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	PD	FR	Yds	TD	FF
2016	FR	DE	12	12	11	23	5.0	0.5	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2017	SO	DL	13	25	33	58	11.5	5.5	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	1
2018	JR	DL	9	20	18	38	6.5	3.5	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career			34	57	62	119	23	9.5	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	1

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press	Wonderlic
6 ft 4+3⁄8 in (1.94 m)	277 lb (126 kg)	34+1⁄8 in (0.87 m)	9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m)	4.58 s	1.63 s	2.67 s	4.29 s	7.26 s	38 in (0.97 m)	10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)	26 reps	9
All values are from NFL Combine^[31]^[32]

2019

Before the 2019 NFL Draft, Gary founded his own sports agency, Rashan Gary Sports.^[33] As of January 2019, the agency has two clients, himself and fellow 2019 NFL prospect Montre Gregory, a cornerback from Bowling Green. Gary stated that he intended to expand the agency to recruit players from the NBA, MLB, and NHL.^[33]

Gary was drafted 12th overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2019 NFL Draft.^[34] Packers scouts said that Gary, who primarily played defensive end in college, would play outside linebacker for Green Bay.^[35] Days after the draft, it was revealed that Gary was dealing with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. On May 3, 2019, Gary signed his rookie contract with the Packers.^[36] The four-year contract is worth $15.88 million, including a $9.57 million signing bonus^[37] During a week 3 game against the Denver Broncos, Gary sacked quarterback Joe Flacco recording his first career sack. In Week 15 against the Chicago Bears, Gary recorded 3 tackles and a sack on Mitchell Trubisky in the 21–13 win.

2020

In Week 2 of the 2020 season against the Detroit Lions, Gary led the team with 1.5 sacks on Matthew Stafford during the 42–21 win.^[38] Gary finished the season with 5 sacks in a rotational role with 259 defensive snaps despite his limited playing time, Next Gen Stats named him 9th on a list of the 10 most disruptive defenders in 2020.^[39] In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, Gary recorded 1.5 sacks on Jared Goff during the 32–18 win.^[40]

2021

In 2021, he started full-time at outside linebacker with teammate Za'Darius Smith knocked out from injury. He led all NFC defensive linemen in pressures through Week 12 of the season.^[41] He finished the season with a career-best 9.5 sacks and 81 pressures, which finished for third in the league among all edge rushers. During the Packers' playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Gary produced two first-half sacks on 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and caused a turnover on downs by stuffing a 4th and 1 run with 6 minutes to play. The Packers' defense limited the 49ers' offense to just 6 points; however, an especially poor special teams performance produced a 10-point swing against the Packers as they lost 13–10.

2022

The Packers picked up the fifth-year option on Gary's contract on April 29, 2022.^[42] On November 6, 2022, he tore his ACL during a Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions and was carted off the field. The Packers placed him on injured reserve on November 9, ending his season.^[43][44][45]

2023

On September 24, 2023, Gary led the Packers' defense in a Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints that tied the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise history (17 points); Gary earned a game ball for recording the first three-sack performance of his career, despite playing limited snaps due to concerns about his previous knee injury.^[46][47][48] On October 30, 2023, Gary and the Green Bay Packers agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $107 million.^[49]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions						Fumbles
		GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	Sfty	PD	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FF	FR
2019	GB	16	0	21	13	8	2.0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	1
2020	GB	15	4	35	19	16	5.0	0	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	1
2021	GB	16	16	47	27	20	9.5	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	2	1
2022	GB	9	9	32	21	11	6.0	0	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	1	1
2023	GB	17	13	44	23	21	9.0	0	2	0	0	0.0	0	0	2	2
Total		73	42	179	103	67	31.5	0	4	0	0	0.0	0	0	5	6
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Postseason

Year	Team	Games		Tackles				Interceptions						Fumbles
		GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	PD	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FF	FR
2019	GB	2	0	2	0	2	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
2020	GB	2	0	5	3	2	1.5	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
2021	GB	1	1	4	4	0	2.0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
2023	GB	2	2	5	1	4	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Career		7	3	16	8	8	3.5	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Source: pro-football-reference.com

References

1. VanHaaren, Tom (February 3, 2016). "Rashan Gary picks Michigan; 1st time top ESPN prospect to Big Ten". ESPN. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
2. Snyder, Mark (January 30, 2016). "Recruiting: 2016's No. 1, U-M target a study in excellence". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
3. Stanmyre, Matthew. "Rashan Gary, nation's top recruit, was recruited to Paramus Catholic, old school indicates", The Star-Ledger, August 25, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2017. "Gary's mother, Jennifer Coney, said today her son 'absolutely was not recruited.' She said Gary had been living with his father and grandparents in Scotch Plains, but the house is now for sale, so she moved her son into her home in Plainfield."
4. Chengelis, Angelique S. (February 1, 2016). "Rashan Gary earns respect, admiration as player, person". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
5. Stanmyre, Matthew (September 4, 2014). "No. 1 recruit Rashan Gary ruled eligible to play after recruiting allegations hearing". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
6. Lanni, Patrick (December 15, 2015). "Rashan Gary of Paramus Catholic is the NJ.com Defensive Player of the Year for 2015". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
7. "American Family Insurance ALL-USA Football: Defense". USA Today. December 24, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
8. "ALL-USA Defensive Player of the Year: Rashan Gary, Paramus Catholic". USA Today. December 24, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
9. Perez, Braulio (January 2, 2016). "Paramus Catholic's Rashan Gary earns Under Armour All-America Game MVP honors". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
10. Hunt, Todderick (December 7, 2015). "Rashan Gary becomes the first unanimous top player in the country". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
11. Webb, Sam (June 29, 2015). "Michigan's Recruiting Team Takes Shape". Scout.com. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
12. Murphy, Dan (January 15, 2016). "Chris Partridge hire strengthens Wolverines' New Jersey recruiting connection". ESPN. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
13. Snyder, Mark (February 3, 2016). "No. 1 recruit Gary chooses U-M: 'God sent me a signal'". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
14. "Rashan Gary – 2016 Football Roster – University of Michigan". mgoblue.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
15. "Rashan Gary". ESPN. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
16. "Rashan Gary – 2016 Football Roster – University of Michigan". mgoblue.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
17. "Thirteen Wolverines Named All-Big Ten on Defense, Special Teams". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
18. "Rashan Gary – 2016 Football Roster – University of Michigan". mgoblue.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
19. "Michigan vs. Maryland – Box Score – November 11, 2017". ESPN. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
20. "Rashan Gary – 2016 Football Roster – University of Michigan". mgoblue.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
21. Dodge, Sam (August 21, 2018). "Devin Bush and Rashan Gary selected for preseason AP All-American team". maizenbrew.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
22. "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
23. "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
24. Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason 'Watch List'". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
25. Dodge, Sam (August 14, 2018). "Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich make Ted Hendricks Award watch list". maizenbrew.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
26. "Rashan Gary College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
27. Baumgardner, Nick (October 30, 2018). "Michigan's Rashan Gary doing everything he can, Jim Harbaugh says". Detroit Free Press.
28. "Fourteen Wolverines Earn All-Big Ten Honors on Defense, Special Teams". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 27, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
29. VanHaaren, Tom (November 26, 2018). "Michigan lineman Rashan Gary to enter NFL draft". ESPN. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
30. McMann, Aaron (December 2, 2018). "Michigan's Rashan Gary to sit out Peach Bowl". MLive.com.
31. "Rashan Gary Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
32. "2019 NFL Draft Scout Rashan Gary College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
33. Lage, Larry (January 22, 2019). "NFL prospect Rashan Gary a pioneer with own sports agency". apnews.com. Associated Press.
34. Spofford, Mike (April 25, 2019). "Quick pick: Packers select Michigan LB Rashan Gary at No. 12 overall". Packers.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
35. Baumgardner, Nick (April 26, 2019). "Rashan Gary at outside linebacker? Green Bay Packers will try it". Detroit Free Press.
36. "Packers sign six draft choices". packers.com. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
37. "Contract details for Packers' first-round picks Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage". May 3, 2019.
38. "Jones' big day helps Packers beat Lions 42–21 in home opener". ESPN. Associated Press. September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
39. Huber, Bill. "Gary Finished as One of NFL's Most Disruptive Pass Rushers in 2020". Sports Illustrated Green Bay Packers News, Analysis and More. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
40. "Divisional Round – Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers – January 16th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
41. @zachkruse2 (November 17, 2021). "Register" (Tweet). Retrieved August 17, 2023 – via Twitter.^{[non-primary source needed]}
42. "Fifth-year option tracker for first-round picks from the 2019 NFL Draft". National Football League.
43. Polacek, Scott (November 7, 2022). "Packers Rumors: Rashan Gary's Knee Injury During Lions Loss Diagnosed as Torn ACL". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
44. "Packers place LB Rashan Gary on injured reserve". Packers.com. November 9, 2022.
45. Kruse, Zach (November 9, 2022). "Packers place OLB Rashan Gary on injured reserve". PackersWire. USAToday.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
46. Zhao, Lily. "Jordan Love and an emotional Rashan Gary earn game balls after a big comeback win". Twitter. Green Bay Packers. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
47. Hill, Kassidy (September 25, 2023). "Rashan Gary's trio of sacks lead a defensive turnaround as the Packers shut out the Saints in the second half". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
48. Jacobson, Zachary (September 24, 2023). "'Passionate' Rashan Gary notches first three-sack game in Packers' comeback victory". Packer Report. 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
49. Megargee, Steve. "Packers' Rashan Gary agrees to 4-year, $107 million contract extension". Associated Press. Retrieved October 30, 2023.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rashan Gary.

• Green Bay Packers bio
• Michigan Wolverines bio