A. J. Finley Bio
Allister Edward “A. J.” Finley Jr. (born September 14, 2001) is an American professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels, where he developed into a ball-hawking defensive back before beginning his professional career.
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Finley signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent and later found a home with the Seattle Seahawks. He has built a reputation for sharp instincts in coverage and aggressive run support, and he is a Super Bowl champion after Seattle’s victory in Super Bowl LX.
Early Life and Background
A. J. Finley was born on September 14, 2001, in Mobile, Alabama, and grew up in the same Gulf Coast city. He attended St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, where he began laying the foundation for his future in football. The Mobile area has a long tradition of producing defensive backs, and Finley developed his game within that competitive environment.
As a senior at St. Paul’s Episcopal, Finley put up six interceptions, a number that helped him attract attention from college recruiters across the country. On June 29, 2018, he committed to play college football at Ole Miss, choosing the Rebels over other suitors that included Duke, Iowa, Purdue, Tennessee, and Wake Forest. His combination of ball skills and tackling willingness set him apart as one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in his class.
Path to American Football
Finley arrived at Ole Miss in 2019 and spent four seasons working his way up the Rebels’ defensive backfield. He recorded 244 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, eight interceptions, 13 pass deflections, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown across his college career. Those totals reflect a player who contributed in every phase of the secondary and on special teams support.
His college trajectory was steady and upward. In his first season, he posted 16 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and two fumble recoveries while learning the speed of the SEC. By his second season, he had produced 62 tackles, three interceptions, and seven pass deflections, a clear sign of his development. His third season was his best, with 90 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and a forced fumble, earning him Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) second-team honors in 2021.
Finley closed his Ole Miss career with a strong senior year in 2022, recording 76 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble. After that season, he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, ready to test himself at the highest level of American football.
A. J. Finley Career
Early Career (2023)
Finley went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft but signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He made enough of an impression in training camp to earn a spot on the Chargers’ initial 53-man roster, an impressive feat for a rookie free agent.
After being inactive for the first two games of the 2023 season, Finley was waived on September 23, 2023, and re-signed to the Chargers’ practice squad. Just one week later, on September 30, he was promoted back to the active roster, signaling that the team valued his development and versatility.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2023–2024)
Finley’s time with the Chargers gave him his first taste of regular NFL action, and he finished that stretch of his career with 14 total tackles and one forced fumble through the 2024 season. He appeared in defensive packages and on special teams, learning the daily rhythm of an NFL schedule.
On November 25, 2024, the Chargers waived Finley, opening the door for a fresh opportunity elsewhere. The waiver period that followed moved quickly, and he did not have to wait long to land with his next team.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–Present)
On November 26, 2024, the Seattle Seahawks claimed Finley off waivers, giving him a new home in the Pacific Northwest. The move paired him with a defense that has long valued physical, rangy safeties, and Finley quickly became a contributor in the secondary and on special teams.
Finley was placed on injured reserve on August 5, 2025, an interruption that kept him out of the early portion of that season. On March 11, 2026, he re-signed with the Seahawks, signaling that the organization viewed him as part of its long-term plan. He is a Super Bowl champion after Seattle’s win in Super Bowl LX.
Driving Style and Strengths
Finley’s game is built on sharp coverage instincts, sure tackling in the open field, and the willingness to come up in run support. His college interception totals and his pass-deflection numbers show a defensive back who tracks the ball well, while his tackle totals reflect a player who does not shy away from contact near the line of scrimmage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career milestones, Finley earned Associated Press All-SEC second-team honors in 2021 after his best collegiate season, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chargers in 2023, won Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks, and re-signed with Seattle in March 2026.
A. J. Finley Career Highlights
Across his professional career, Finley has built a résumé that includes a Super Bowl championship with the Seattle Seahawks and a steady climb from undrafted free agent to trusted defensive back. He has recorded 14 total tackles and one forced fumble in regular-season play through the 2024 season, with his role in Seattle expected to keep expanding.
College and Professional Highlights
Finley’s biggest college highlight came in 2021, when he was named an AP All-SEC second-team selection after recording 90 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and a forced fumble. He closed his Ole Miss career with 244 tackles and eight interceptions across four seasons. In the NFL, his most prominent milestone is his Super Bowl LX championship as a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
Other Performances
Before reaching the NFL, Finley starred at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, where his six-interception senior season helped him land at Ole Miss. His progression from high school standout to SEC contributor to Super Bowl champion traces a clear upward arc in American football.
A. J. Finley Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Finley was raised in Mobile, Alabama, the same city where he was born. Publicly available details about his parents and broader family are limited, and he has kept most of his personal life out of the spotlight as he focuses on his football career.
Personal Details
Finley stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and plays at 202 pounds, a frame that allows him to match up with both tight ends and bigger receivers in coverage. He is 24 years old and currently resides in the United States while playing for the Seattle Seahawks.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season brought a setback for Finley when he was placed on injured reserve on August 5, 2025, keeping him out of the early part of the year. The injury occurred as he was settling into a meaningful role in Seattle’s secondary and on special teams, and his absence was felt during the opening stretch of the campaign.
Despite the injured-reserve stint, Finley remained part of Seattle’s long-term plans. The Seahawks’ defense, built on physicality and turnover creation, fit his strengths as a ball-hawking safety with strong run-support skills. His experience from the Chargers and his pre-injury work in Seattle gave the organization reason to bring him back into the fold.
On March 11, 2026, Finley re-signed with the Seahawks, a clear vote of confidence after a year interrupted by injury. Looking ahead, he is expected to compete for a larger role in the secondary and on special teams, building on his Super Bowl LX championship experience and his track record of production at Ole Miss.
