C.J. Hanson Bio
Christopher “C. J.” Hanson (born March 3, 2001) is an American professional football guard for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 300 pounds, he plays the offensive line position of guard and wears jersey number 61. Hanson played college football for the Holy Cross Crusaders, an FCS program in the Patriot League, and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft. He is recognized as one of the most decorated linemen in recent Holy Cross history.
Early Life and Background
Christopher “C. J.” Hanson was born on March 3, 2001, in Bergen County, New Jersey, and grew up in the township of Wyckoff. As a child, he played flag football in second grade before transitioning to tackle football in third grade, and he also competed in lacrosse and other youth sports while growing up in northern New Jersey. His early introduction to multiple sports helped him develop the athleticism and competitive habits that would later define his football career.
Hanson attended DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, New Jersey, where he played four years on the varsity football team. He was not a starter for most of his high school career and only cracked the starting lineup as a senior, when he was named first-team All-County and second-team All-State at left guard. During that senior season, he helped DePaul Catholic win a league championship. Despite his late rise as a starter, he drew the attention of college programs, ultimately committing to the FCS-level Holy Cross Crusaders as a zero-star recruit.
Path to Professional Football
Hanson’s road to professional football began at the College of the Holy Cross, an FCS program competing in the Patriot League. Recruited without major star ratings, he entered college determined to develop his body and technique, eventually growing into the 6-foot-5, 300-pound frame that defines his play today. His progression from zero-star recruit to NFL draft pick is a notable example of player development at the FCS level.
Through hard work in the Holy Cross weight room and on the practice field, Hanson earned the trust of the Crusaders coaching staff, eventually becoming a full-time starter and a team captain. His ability to handle pass protection responsibilities against higher-level competition drew the attention of NFL scouts, leading to an invitation to the prestigious NFL Scouting Combine and an appearance in the East–West Shrine Bowl. Those opportunities cemented his status as a legitimate professional prospect heading into the 2024 NFL draft.
C.J. Hanson Career
Early Career at Holy Cross (2019–2021)
Hanson’s college career at Holy Cross began in 2019 with a redshirt season, during which he appeared in three games while preserving a year of eligibility. He recorded his first career start during the 2020–21 season, playing in a total of three games that year as he continued to adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game. These early experiences gave him valuable reps against older, more experienced defenders and helped lay the foundation for his breakthrough as a starter.
In 2021, Hanson won the starting role at right guard and started all 13 games for the Crusaders, anchoring the offensive line for a team that finished 10–3. His strong play earned him second-team All-Patriot League recognition from Phil Steele, signaling his arrival as one of the top linemen in the conference. By the end of his redshirt sophomore year, he had established himself as a cornerstone of the Holy Cross offensive front.
Holy Cross Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Hanson started all 13 games in 2022 and was named first-team All-Patriot League, cementing his reputation as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference. He helped the Crusaders compile a 12–1 record that season, the best mark of his college career, while continuing to refine his technique as a pass blocker and run blocker. His consistent performances drew attention from professional scouts, setting the stage for his senior-year breakout.
As a team captain in 2023, Hanson started all 11 games and earned a remarkable collection of honors, including first-team All-Patriot League, All-ECAC, All-New England, and third-team All-American recognition from Stats Perform. That season, he helped the Holy Cross offense rank in the top six nationally in the FCS in rushing offense, total offense, and scoring offense, while allowing zero sacks and only eight pressures on 321 pass-blocking snaps. He finished his college career having started 38 games, with the team posting records of 10–3 (2021), 12–1 (2022), and 7–4 (2023) in his three seasons as a full-time starter. In recognition of his efforts, he was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and played in the East–West Shrine Bowl, becoming one of the first Holy Cross players invited to the Combine since 1988.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2024–Present)
Hanson was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round, 248th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft, becoming the first Holy Cross player drafted since Rob McGovern in 1989, who was also a Chiefs selection. He joined an organization known for its strong offensive line play and its pursuit of depth across the trenches, and he spent his rookie season working to earn a steady role in the rotation. As of the 2025 season, he is listed as an active member of the Kansas City Chiefs roster, wearing number 61.
On August 26, 2025, Hanson was waived by the Chiefs as part of the league’s final roster cuts, only to be re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. He continued to develop on the practice squad before being promoted back to the active roster on December 13. His movement between the practice squad and active roster reflects the typical path of a late-round rookie offensive lineman adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant milestones in Hanson’s career came when he was selected in the 2024 NFL draft, ending a 35-year drought of Holy Cross players being drafted. He was the third or fourth player in school history to be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, and the first since 1988. During his senior year at Holy Cross in 2023, he allowed zero sacks on more than 300 pass-blocking snaps, an exceptional mark of consistency. He also appeared in the East–West Shrine Bowl, one of the premier pre-draft all-star games.
C.J. Hanson Career Achievements
Hanson’s career achievements span both the collegiate and professional levels of football. He is a first-team FCS All-American (2023) and a two-time first-team All-Patriot League selection (2022, 2023), making him one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Holy Cross history. He was also recognized as a team captain in his final college season and earned All-ECAC and All-New England honors in 2023.
College Awards and Highlights
During his time at Holy Cross, Hanson accumulated a long list of postseason honors, including first-team All-Patriot League in 2022 and 2023, All-ECAC in 2023, and All-New England in 2023. He added third-team All-American honors from Stats Perform and a first-team FCS All-American nod in 2023. He started 38 games across his three seasons as a full-time starter and helped lead the Crusaders to a combined 29–8 record during that span.
C.J. Hanson Personal Life
Personal Life
Christopher “C. J.” Hanson grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey, and remains an American by nationality. Publicly available information about his family and personal relationships is limited, and details about his parents, spouse, or children have not been confirmed by verified sources. He attended DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, New Jersey, and later earned his college education at the College of the Holy Cross, where he played football and graduated as one of the program’s most accomplished offensive linemen.
2025 Season Performance
Hanson’s 2025 season began with a roster transition, as he was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs on August 26 as part of final preseason cuts and quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad the next day. Working with the Chiefs’ coaching staff on the practice squad, he continued to refine his technique and absorb the playbook of one of the NFL’s most successful franchises. His perseverance paid off when he was promoted to the active roster on December 13, giving him another opportunity to contribute on game day.
As an active member of the Kansas City Chiefs roster in the latter portion of the 2025 season, Hanson has been listed on the team’s depth chart at guard, wearing number 61. The Chiefs’ offensive line has been a key part of the team’s continued postseason contention, and Hanson’s promotion reflects the organization’s confidence in his development as a young lineman. His career NFL statistics as of 2025 show that he has appeared in four regular-season games.
Looking ahead, Hanson’s 2025 outlook is shaped by his late-season promotion and the chance to build momentum heading into the offseason. Continued growth within the Chiefs’ offensive line system, combined with the experience of moving between the practice squad and active roster, should help him solidify a longer-term role with the franchise. His combination of size, technique, and football intelligence makes him a developmental prospect worth monitoring in the seasons to come.