| Florida Gators | |
|---|---|
| Title | Co-defensive coordinator & safeties coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1991-10-25)October 25, 1991 (age 34) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Northridge(Tuscaloosa, Alabama) |
| College | Alabama |
| NFL draft | 2014: 5th round, 167th overall pick |
| Career history | |
Playing | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Coaching | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats atPro Football Reference | |
Vincent Salvatore Sunseri (born October 25, 1991) is an Americanfootball coach and former player who is the safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator for theFlorida Gators. He played professionally as asafety in theNational Football League (NFL).
Sunseri playedcollege football for theAlabama Crimson Tide and was selected by theNew Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the2014 NFL draft. He served as agraduate assistant for Alabama in2019.
Sunseri began his career atMarvin Ridge High School inWaxhaw, North Carolina.[1] As a junior, he made 107 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, two sacks, and five interceptions, while also rushing for 305 yards and three touchdowns. He moved toNorthridge High School inTuscaloosa, Alabama. in January 2010; as a senior he recorded 144 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. He was selected to play in theUnder Armour All-America Game.[2] Considered a four-star recruit byESPN.com, Sunseri was listed as the No. 18 outside linebacker in the nation in 2011.[3]
As a freshman in 2011, Sunseri was second on the team with 11 special teams tackles, all coming on kickoff coverage. He has 31 total tackles to rank eighth on the team. He also plays on the punt return team and has recorded several attention-grabbing blocks. Against Kent State, he set a career-high with six tackles, including three solo stops. Along with fellow freshman Trey DePriest, he registered several big hits on kickoff coverage. He also saw time at safety in the 48–7 win. He was selected as the coaches' Special Teams Player of the Week. Against Penn State, he did not have a tackle but was named a Special Teams Player of the Week with excellent coverage on the kickoff team and blocking on punt return. Against North Texas, he recorded another big tackle night with six stops split between special teams and safety. Sunseri had three solo tackles against the Mean Green. Against Arkansas, he assisted on two tackles in the win against the Razorbacks. Against Florida, he was named a Special Teams Player of the Week by the Alabama coaching staff. He recorded two solo tackles and forced a fumble. Against Ole Miss, Sunseri was once again named a Special Teams Player of the Week by the Alabama coaching staff. He totaled six tackles, including four solo stops, against the Rebels. Against Tennessee, he totaled two tackles, including a solo stop. He recovered his first career fumble in the win against the Volunteers. Against Georgia Southern, he was named one of the Alabama coaching staff's Special Teams Players of the Week. He recorded one solo tackle on kickoff coverage. Against Auburn, Sunseri tied a career-high with six tackles, including four solo stops. He recorded a quarterback hurry against the Tigers. He played significant time at safety in the second half against the Tigers.
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | Bench press | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft11+1⁄8 in (1.81 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 30 in (0.76 m) | 10 in (0.25 m) | 4.56 s | 21 reps | |||||||
| All values fromNFL Combine/Pro Day[4][5] | ||||||||||||
Sunseri was selected by theNew Orleans Saints in the fifth round, 167th overall, in the2014 NFL draft.[6] On May 16, 2014, Sunseri signed a four-year contract with the Saints.[7] On November 12, 2014, Sunseri was placed on injured reserve with an arm injury.[8] On September 1, 2015, he was waived.[9]
On September 2, 2015, after clearing waivers, Sunseri was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.[10] On April 25, 2016, he was released.[11]
On July 24, 2016, Sunseri was signed by theNew England Patriots.[12] On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Patriots as part of final roster cuts.[13] On September 6, 2016, Sunseri signed to the Patriots' practice squad.[14] He was released by the Patriots on October 24, 2016.[15]
On November 1, 2016, Sunseri was signed to theSan Francisco 49ers' practice squad.[16] He was promoted to the active roster on November 22, 2016.[17]
On September 1, 2017, Sunseri was waived by the 49ers.[18]
In2019 Sunseri spent the season as agraduate assistant at Alabama,[19] his alma mater. He was coaching alongside his brother, Tino, who also was a graduate assistant and his father, Sal, who was the linebackers coach.
In2020 Vinnie was hired by theNew England Patriots in a support staff role.[20][21]
2021-23: New England Patriots (Running Backs)
On February 5, 2024, Vinnie was hired by theWashington Huskies as the safeties coach to join fellow former Patriots coachSteve Belichick on the defensive staff at Washington.[22]
Florida Gators
On January 30, 2025, Vinnie was hired by theFlorida Gators football as safeties coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator, joiningBilly Napier’s staff as a former player atAlabama Crimson Tide football.[23]
Sunseri's father isSal Sunseri, formerlinebackers coach for theOakland Raiders, and his older brother isTino Sunseri, who playedquarterback for theSaskatchewan Roughriders.