 Beasley with theAtlanta Falcons in 2015 | |||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1992-07-08)July 8, 1992 (age 33) Adairsville, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 246 lb (112 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Adairsville | ||||||||||||||
| College | Clemson (2010–2014) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2015: 1st round, 8th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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Victor Ramon Beasley Jr. (born July 8, 1992) is an American professionalfootballlinebacker. After playingcollege football forClemson University, Beasley was selected by theAtlanta Falcons with the eighth overall pick in the2015 NFL draft.
Beasley was a consensusAll-American for the Tigers in 2013 and 2014. He is also the school's all-timesack leader (33). Following Beasley's senior season, he was namedACC Defensive Player of the Year. In 2016, Beasley was named to his firstPro Bowl andAll-Pro honors, following his league-leading 15.5 sack season.
Beasley attendedAdairsville High School inAdairsville, Georgia,[1] where he was a three-sport standout in football,basketball, andtrack. He played asrunning back andlinebacker for the Adairsville Tigershigh school football team. He was named All-county and All-area in both his junior and senior seasons. As a junior, he totaled 57tackles, two recoveredfumbles and aninterception, while also hauling in 15receptions for over 200 yards. As a senior, he had 120rushes for 828 yards with seventouchdowns on offense, and had 102 tackles (12 for loss) and an interception on the defensive side of the ball. In addition, he also had sevenpunt returns for a 17.3-yard average and two touchdowns, and also returned akickoff return 80 yards for a score. He was named first-team All-state byAssociated Press (AP) and Georgia Sportswriters Association. He also played in the Georgia North-South All-Star game, where he had a blockedfield goal.[citation needed]
In addition to football, Beasley competed in track & field while at Adairsville, where he competed mainly in sprints and jumps. At the 2010 GHSAA Regional 7-AA Championships, he placed third in thehigh jump (6–0 or 1.84m) and second in thetriple jump (44–0 or 13.44m), while also earning a third-place finish in the100-meter dash race after running a personal-best time of 11.14 seconds.[2]
Considered a four-star recruit byESPN.com, Beasley was listed as the No. 19 athlete in the nation in 2010.[3] He was rated as the No. 37 athlete in the nation and No. 37 player in Georgia byRivals.com.[4] He was considered the No. 34outside linebacker in the nation and No. 37 player in Georgia byScout.com. Also an All-Southeast Region pick and the No. 33 player in the state according toSuperPrep. Beasley chose Clemson overAlabama andAuburn.[4]
Upon arriving at Clemson in 2010, Beasley wasredshirted. He began working as atight end. Due to Beasley's size and speed, he was also used as ascout team quarterback in his redshirt year.[5]
As a redshirt freshman in 2011, Beasley played sparingly. In nine games, he only played 16 snaps and recorded two tackles on the season.[6][7]
As a sophomore in 2012, Beasley recorded eightsacks.[8] He was named an Honorable Mention Sophomore All-American byCollege Football News.[citation needed]
Through the first six games of his junior season in 2013, Beasley led the nation in sacks with 13.[9] Beasley was a first-teamAll-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection and was named a consensusAll-American.[10] Beasley and the Tigers upset #6Ohio State Buckeyes in theOrange Bowl.[11]
Beasley opted to stay for his senior year in 2014 to finish his education instead of declaring for the2014 NFL draft.[12] He was projected to have been picked up in the second round as predicted by theNFL Draft Advisory Board. Beasley entered the year with 21 career sacks, which was seven away from setting the all-time school record for career which was set byMichael Dean Perry andGaines Adams at 28. In October, he broke the record.[13] He was named theACC Defensive Player of the Year and was again a consensus All-American.[14]
| Season | Team | GP | Solo | Ast | Cmb | TfL | Sck | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Clemson | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | Clemson | 12 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2013 | Clemson | 12 | 31 | 9 | 40 | 22.5 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2014 | Clemson | 11 | 23 | 5 | 28 | 17.5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 67 | 16 | 83 | 48 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 53 | 1 | 7 | ||
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 246 lb (112 kg) | 32+1⁄2 in (0.83 m) | 9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 4.53 s | 1.59 s | 2.65 s | 4.15 s | 6.91 s | 41 in (1.04 m) | 10 ft 10 in (3.30 m) | 35 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine[15][16] | ||||||||||||
Prior to the draft, Beasley was praised for being an explosive athlete who was always first off the snap. Many scouts viewed him as a true edge bender who could torque his hips and shoulders to turn the corner. He was also recognized for his ankle flexion to dip and slalom around the corner at difficult angles to block. On the other hand, critics said Beasley lacked ideal arm length. They said he was too often content to stay blocked if his pass rush stalled out. Others said he needed to shed blocks more consistently against run. While many noted his good football character, some scouts were concerned about a lack of alpha-dog tenacity.[17][better source needed] Beasley was selected with the eighth overall pick by theAtlanta Falcons in the2015 NFL draft.[18] He was Clemson's highest selected defensive player since the late defensive endGaines Adams went fourth overall to theTampa Bay Buccaneers in2007.[19]
On June 12, 2015, Beasley agreed to terms his rookie contract.[20]
In Week 2 of hisrookie season, Beasley recorded his first careersack, taking downNew York Giants quarterbackEli Manning, before generating his second sack the following week againstBrandon Weeden of theDallas Cowboys.[21][22] In Week 16 against the undefeatedCarolina Panthers, Beasley made a strip-sack ofCam Newton in the final minutes of the game, securing a 20–13 upset of the Panthers and ruining the Panther's undefeated season.[23]
In 2016, Beasley moved from defensive end to thestrongside linebacker position.[24] He recorded his first sack of the 2016 season in Week 2 against theOakland Raiders.[25] Beasley had a breakout game in Week 5 of the 2016 season, playing theDenver Broncos, Beasley recorded eight total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.[26] He was namedNational Football Conference (NFC) Defensive Player of the Week for Week 14 due to his performance against theLos Angeles Rams where he had three sacks and fumble return touchdown.[27][28] He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December.[29] Due to his performance during the 2016 season, Beasley was selected to his first Pro Bowl, but did not participate due to the Falcons makingSuper Bowl LI.[30][31] Beasley ended the season with aleague-leading 15.5 sacks.[32][33] He was named First teamAll-Pro, and was ranked 40th by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[34][35]
In Week 2, in the 34–23 victory over theGreen Bay Packers, Beasley sacked Packers quarterbackAaron Rodgers and forced a fumble, which was recovered by teammateDesmond Trufant for a touchdown.[36] However, in the game, he suffered a hamstring injury, and was ruled out for a month.[37] On the season, Beasley played in 14 games with eight starts, recording 29 tackles and only five sacks after being moved from defensive end to outside linebacker.[38]
On April 25, 2018, the Falcons exercised the fifth-year option on Beasley's contract.[39] He played in 16 games with nine starts, recording 20 combined tackles, five sacks, and threepasses defensed.[40]
In Week 2 against thePhiladelphia Eagles, Beasley recorded his first sack of the season in the 24–20 win.[41] In Week 14 against the Panthers, Beasley recorded two sacks, one of which was a strip sack that was recovered by teammateTyeler Davison, in the 40–20 win.[42] Beasley played in 16 games with 15 starts, recording 42 combined tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles.[43] After the season, the Falcons announced that they would not re-sign him.[44] He became an unrestricted free agent at the beginning of the new league year on March 18, 2020.[45]
On March 31, 2020, Beasley signed a one-year contract with theTennessee Titans.[46] He was placed on the reserve/did not report list at the start of training camp on July 28, 2020.[47] He reported to the Titans on August 7 and was moved back to the active roster.[48] He was placed on the active/non-football injury list on August 11.[49] He was activated on September 5, 2020.[50] Beasley was waived by the Titans on November 4 after recording only three tackles through seven games.[51]
On November 23, 2020, Beasley was signed to thepractice squad of theLas Vegas Raiders.[52] He was elevated to the active roster on December 5 and 12 for the team's weeks 13 and 14 games against theNew York Jets andIndianapolis Colts, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[53][54] On December 15, 2020, Beasley was promoted to the active roster.[55] In the 2020 season, Beasley appeared in ten games and finished with four total tackles and a forced fumble.[56]
Beasley was selected by theVegas Vipers of theXFL with the first overall pick in the2023 XFL Defensive Front Seven Draft.[57] The Vipers folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create theUnited Football League (UFL).[58]
On January 5, 2024, Beasley was selected by theArlington Renegades during the2024 UFL dispersal draft.[59] He signed with the team on January 31.[60]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Season | Tackling | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Asst | Sack | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | TD | PD |
| 2015 | ATL | 16 | 16 | 26 | 20 | 6 | 4.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2016 | ATL | 16 | 12 | 39 | 32 | 7 | 15.5 | 6 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 | ATL | 14 | 8 | 29 | 23 | 6 | 5.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | ATL | 16 | 9 | 20 | 16 | 4 | 5.0 | 0 | 1 | 74 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2019 | ATL | 16 | 15 | 42 | 28 | 14 | 8.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2020 | TEN | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LVR | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career | 88 | 60 | 160 | 122 | 38 | 37.5 | 12 | 2 | 95 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Asst | Sack | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | TD | PD | ||
| 2016 | ATL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 | ATL | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 5 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Season | Tackling | Fumbles | Interceptions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | GP | Solo | Asst | Sack | TFL | FF | FR | TD | Int | Yds | TD |
| 2023 | Vipers | 10 | 6 | 9 | 0.5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
