.png) Sneed in 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| No. 38 – Tennessee Titans | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Cornerback | ||||||||||||||
| Roster status |  Injured reserve | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1997-01-21)January 21, 1997 (age 28) Minden, Louisiana, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 192 lb (87 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Minden | ||||||||||||||
| College | Louisiana Tech (2016–2019) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2020: 4th round, 138th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||||||
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L'Jarius Sneed (/ləˈdʒæriəs/lə-JARR-ee-əss; born January 21, 1997) is an American professionalfootballcornerback for theTennessee Titans of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theLouisiana Tech Bulldogs and was selected by theKansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the2020 NFL draft.
After playingwide receiver forMinden High School,[1] Sneed committed toLouisiana Tech on February 3, 2016.[2]
Sneed converted tocornerback at Louisiana Tech and saw playing time in histrue freshman season, highlighted by aninterception returntouchdown againstWestern Kentucky in theConference USA Championship Game.[1] 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 2020NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.[4]
| External videos | |
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 L'Jarius Sneed's 40–yard dash | |
| L'Jarius Sneed: LA Tech highlights |
Although Sneed started at safety as a senior, he opted to transition back to cornerback and publicly stated he desired to play cornerback in the NFL. He played cornerback at the NFLPA All-star game and received positive feedback from analysts and Chiefs' scout Willie Davis.[6] Kevin Hanson ofSports Illustrated ranked Sneed as the 15th best safety prospect in the draft.[7] NFL draft analystDaniel Jeremiah ranked him as the ninth best safety in the draft.[8] The majority of NFL draft analysts projected Sneed to be drafted as early as the fourth round to as late as a seventh round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. NFL analystLance Zierlein projected him to be a fifth round pick.
"I fell in love with LJ just watching his college tape. I was a little shocked — you ask around to scouts and other people, they didn't have him (high). I thought I was missing something."[9]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft0+1⁄2 in (1.84 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 31+3⁄8 in (0.80 m) | 8+7⁄8 in (0.23 m) | 4.37 s | 1.51 s | 2.56 s | 41.0 in (1.04 m) | 10 ft 11 in (3.33 m) | 12 reps | |||
| All values fromNFL Combine[10][11] | ||||||||||||
TheKansas City Chiefs selected Sneed in the fourth round (138th overall) of the2020 NFL draft. He was the 12th safety drafted in 2020.[12]
| External videos | |
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| Chiefs draft L'Jarius Sneed No. 138 | |
| Draft Press conference: L'Jarius Sneed | |
| The call to L'Jarius Sneed: 2020 Draft |
"Even in meetings we could tell he was a cerebral guy. (He) played a lot of positions in college, which led us to believe he could handle things mentally."[9]
On July 20, 2020, theKansas City Chiefs signed Sneed to a four–year, $3.92 million contract that includes an initial signing bonus of $634,320.[13]
Defensive coordinatorSteve Spagnuolo chose to place Sneed at cornerback. Throughouttraining camp, he competed to be a starting cornerback after it was available following the departures ofKendall Fuller andMorris Claiborne. He competed againstRashad Fenton,Bashaud Breeland, andAntonio Hamilton.[14] Head coachAndy Reid named Sneed the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind starting cornerbacksCharvarius Ward and Rashad Fenton and starting nickelback Antonio Hamilton.[15]
On September 10, 2020, Sneed earned his first career start as a nickelback during his professional regular season debut and recorded three solo tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception on a pass thrown byDeshaun Watson to wide receiverBrandin Cooks during a 34–20 victory against theHouston Texans.[16] On September 20, 2020, Sneed started as the No. 2 starting cornerback after Charvarius Ward fractured his hand in Week 1. He made seven combined tackles (six solo), a pass deflection, and had his second consecutive game with an interception on a pass byJustin Herbert toKeenan Allen during a 23–20 victory at theLos Angeles Chargers. On September 28, 2020, Sneed made one solo tackle before exiting in the second quarter of a 34–20 victory at theBaltimore Ravens due to a hand injury. On September 30, 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs officially placed him oninjured reserve after it was discovered he had fractured his hand in Week 3.[17] On November 21, 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs activated Sneed off of injured reserve after he missed six consecutive games (Weeks 4–9).[18] On December 18, 2020, Sneed collected a season-high eight combined tackles (seven solo) during a 33–27 win at theMiami Dolphins. In Week 15, he made three combined tackles (one solo), a season-high three pass deflections, recorded his first careersack, and intercepted a pass thrown byDrew Brees toLil'Jordan Humphrey during a 32–29 win at theNew Orleans Saints.[19] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[20] He was inactive as a healthy scratch for a Week 17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers as head coach Andy Reid elected to bench the majority of his starters before entering the playoffs. He finished his rookie campaign with a total of 41 combined tackles (31 solo), seven pass deflections, three interceptions, and two sacks in nine games and six starts.[21] He received an overall grade of 68.4 fromPro Football Focus as a rookie in 2020.[22]
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The Kansas City Chiefs finished the2020 NFL season first in theAFC West with a 14–2 record to clinch a playoff berth. On January 17, 2021, Sneed started in his first career playoff game and recorded six combined tackles (three solo) and made one sack during a 22–17 victory in the Divisional Round against theCleveland Browns.[23] In theAFC Championship, Sneed recorded five combined tackles (four solo) and made one sack in the Chiefs 38–24 victory against theBuffalo Bills.[24] On February 7, 2021, Sneed started inSuper Bowl LV and made three combined tackles (two solo) as the Kansas City Chiefs lost 9–31 to theTampa Bay Buccaneers.
He entered training camp as the favorite to win the job as the No. 2 starting cornerback after Bashaud Breeland departed during free agency. He competed againstDeandre Baker,Mike Hughes,Rashad Fenton,BoPete Keyes, and Marlon Character.[25] Head coach Andy Reid named Sneed and Charvarius Ward the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.[26]
On September 12, 2021, Sneed started in theKansas City Chiefs' home-opener against theCleveland Browns and recorded a season-high seven solo tackles as the Chiefs won 33–29. On November 7, 2021, Sneed made six combined tackles (three solo), two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass thrown byJordan Love to wide receiverDavante Adams in the Chiefs' 13–7 win against theGreen Bay Packers. In Week 11, he made six combined tackles (five solo), a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass attempt byDak Prescott to wide receiverMalik Turner, sealing the Chiefs' 19–9 victory against theDallas Cowboys. On December 12, 2021, the Chiefs' head coach Andy Reid addressed the media and stated Sneed would be inactive for the upcoming Week 14 matchup against theLas Vegas Raiders so he could return to home to be with his family after the sudden death of his older brother T’Qarontarion “TQ” Harrison who was murdered. He would remain inactive for two games (Weeks 14–15).[27][28] He completed his sophomore season in 2021 with a total of 76 combined tackles (57 solo), eight pass deflections, two interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 15 games and 15 starts.[29] Pro Football Focus had Sneed finish the season with an overall grade of 63.6 in 2021.[22]
The Kansas City Chiefs finished the2021 NFL season first in theAFC West with a 12–5 record, clinching a playoff berth. They defeated thePittsburgh Steelers 42–21 in the AFC Wildcard Game and advanced to the Divisional Game where Sneed recorded nine combined tackles (six solo) and broke up a pass during a 42–36overtime victory against theBuffalo Bills. On January 30, 2022, Sneed produced a team-leading ten combined tackles (eight solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass byJoe Burrow to wide receiverJa'Marr Chase as theCincinnati Bengals lost 27–24 in overtime.[30]
During the off-season, the Kansas City Chiefs completely overhauled their secondary and retained Sneed as the lone cornerback to return. The Chiefs drafted three cornerbacks in the2022 NFL draft to replace Charvarius Ward, Deandre Baker, and Mike Hughes. Head coach Andy Reid named Sneed the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and was paired with rookie first-round pickTrent McDuffie with fellow rookiesJaylen Watson andJoshua Williams as the backup cornerbacks.[31]
In Week 4, Sneed collected a season-high nine combined tackles (seven solo), made a sack, and forced a fumble during a 41–31 victory at theTampa Bay Buccaneers. On November 27, 2022, he made seven combined tackles (five solo), a season-high two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass byBryce Perkins as the Chiefs defeated theLos Angeles Rams 26–10. On January 1, 2023, Sneed made five combined tackles (three solo), broke up a pass, and tied his career-high with his third interception of the season off a pass byRussell Wilson intended forJerry Jeudy as the Chiefs defeated theDenver Broncos 24–27. He started all 17 games for the first time in his career and finished with a total of 108 combined tackles (75 solo), 11 pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.[32]
The Kansas City Chiefs finished the2022 NFL season atop the AFC West with a 14–3 record, clinching a first-round bye and home-field advantage. On January 21, 2013, he collected nine combined tackles (six solo) during a 27–20 win against theJacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round. The following game, the Chiefs defeated theCincinnati Bengals 23–20 in the AFC Championship Game. On February 12, 2023, Sneed started inSuper Bowl LVII and recorded seven combined tackles (three solo) and made two pass deflections as the Chiefs defeated thePhiladelphia Eagles 38–35, earning Sneed his firstSuper Bowl ring.[33]
Defensive coordinatorSteve Spagnuolo retained Sneed and Trent McDuffie as the starting cornerback tandem to begin the season.[34] On November 20, 2023, he made three combined tackles (two solo), tied his season-high of two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass byJalen Hurts that was thrown to wide receiverA. J. Brown during a 17–21 loss to thePhiladelphia Eagles.[35] In Week 12, Sneed produced a season-high nine combined tackles (six solo) during a 31–17 win at theLas Vegas Raiders.[36] Head coach Andy Reid chose to rest his starters, including Sneed, in the Chiefs' Week 18 win at theLos Angeles Chargers to have them rested before the upcoming playoffs. He finished with 78 combined tackles (60 solo), a career-high 14 pass deflections, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 16 games and 16 starts. He received an overall grade of 70.6 fromPro Football Focus, which ranked 36th amongst all cornerbacks in 2023.[37]
The Kansas City Chiefs finished the2023 NFL season first in the AFC West with an 11–6 record, clinching a playoff berth. They defeated theMiami Dolphins 26–7 in the AFC Wildcard Game and then had a 27–24 victory at theBuffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. On January 28, 2024, Sneed made five solo tackles and forced a fumble after punching out the football on aZay Flowers reception at the one yard line to prevent a crucial touchdown during a 17–10 win at theBaltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. . The play was primarily responsible for sending Kansas City to the Super Bowl.[38] On February 11, 2024, Sneed started inSuper Bowl LVIII and made three combined tackles (two solo) and a pass deflection as the Chiefs defeated theSan Francisco 49ers 17–10. He won his second Super Bowl Championship when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25–22 in Super Bowl LVIII.[39] He recorded three total tackles and a defended pass in the Super Bowl.[40]
On March 4, 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs placed thefranchise tag on Sneed.[41]
On March 29, 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs traded Sneed and a2024 seventh-round pick (252nd overall) to theTennessee Titans for a2025 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick (229th overall).[42] The same day, the Tennessee Titans signed Sneed to a four–year,$76.40 million contract that includes $51.50 million guaranteed, $44.00 million guaranteed upon signing, and an initialsigning bonus of $20.00 million.[43]
He entered training camp slated as thede facto No. 1 starting cornerback.[44] Head coachBrian Callahan named Sneed andChidobe Awuzie the starting cornerbacks to start the season. On September 8, 2024, Sneed made his debut in the Tennessee Titans' season-opener at theChicago Bears and made four combined tackles (three solo) as the Titans lost 17–24. On October 13, 2024, Sneed collected a season-high eight combined tackles (seven solo) before exiting in the third quarter of their 17–20 loss to theIndianapolis Colts after injuring his quadriceps after taking a direct hit to his leg by a player's helmet. On November 22, 2024, the Tennessee Titans announced their decision to officially place Sneed oninjured reserve for the rest of2024 NFL season due to his quadriceps injury. He has already missed five games after his quadriceps strain was worse than it was initially thought.[45][46][47] He ultimately did not play the rest of the season, and underwent surgery in late November.[48] He finished his first season with the Tennessee Titans with a total of 23 combined tackles (19 solo) in five games and five starts. He received an overall grade of 36.3 from Pro Football Focus.
On the first day of training camp, the Titans placed Sneed on Active/physically unable to perform list on July 24, 2025.[49] On October 23, the Titans placed him on injured reserve due to a quad injury.[50]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Lng | TD | PD | ||
| 2020 | KC | 9 | 6 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 2.0 | — | — | — | 3 | 42 | 39 | 0 | 7 |
| 2021 | KC | 15 | 15 | 76 | 57 | 19 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| 2022 | KC | 17 | 17 | 108 | 75 | 33 | 3.5 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 57 | 26 | 0 | 11 |
| 2023 | KC | 16 | 16 | 78 | 60 | 18 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 14 |
| 2024 | TEN | 5 | 5 | 23 | 19 | 4 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 62 | 59 | 326 | 242 | 84 | 6.5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 105 | 39 | 0 | 40 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Lng | TD | PD | ||
| 2020 | KC | 3 | 3 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 2.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | KC | 3 | 3 | 27 | 20 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 |
| 2022 | KC | 3 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| 2023 | KC | 4 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
| Career | 13 | 13 | 75 | 53 | 22 | 2.0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | |
