C.J. Ravenell Bio
C.J. Ravenell (born July 7, 2000) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and listed at 300 lb (136 kg), he plays on the interior of the defensive line and uses his size and quickness to disrupt opposing backfields. After going undrafted out of an NCAA Division II program, he earned a roster opportunity and has continued to develop his professional career in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
C.J. Ravenell was born on July 7, 2000, in Santa Clarita, California. He grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley, a region north of Los Angeles that has produced a steady stream of college and professional football talent. He attended Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita, where he began developing the frame and physical tools that would later define his game as a defensive lineman.
Coming out of high school, Ravenell drew attention as a sizable interior defensive prospect, but his recruitment path took him outside the highest levels of major college football. He chose to continue his education and playing career at Missouri Western State University, a program competing in NCAA Division II. That decision gave him the chance to earn meaningful playing time early and to grow into a featured role on the Griffons’ defensive front.
Path to Professional Football
Ravenell joined the Missouri Western Griffons and spent five seasons with the program, including a redshirt year in 2018 that allowed him to acclimate to the college game. Across his time at Missouri Western, he steadily built a reputation as a disruptive interior defender, anchoring the line of scrimmage against both the run and the pass. His development in a Division II conference did not bring the same national spotlight as higher-profile programs, but it gave him the foundation he needed to pursue a professional career.
During his college career, Ravenell earned multiple All-MIAA honors, including a third-team All-MIAA selection in 2021 and back-to-back second-team All-MIAA selections in 2022 and 2023. He also received three academic awards during his time at Missouri Western, reflecting his work in the classroom alongside his play on the field. Those honors helped position him as a priority free-agent target following the 2024 NFL draft.
C.J. Ravenell Career
Early Career (2024)
Following the 2024 NFL draft, C.J. Ravenell signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career with one of the AFC’s most established defensive organizations. He spent the 2024 season with the Ravens, working within a defensive line room known for developing trench players and rotating contributors throughout the preseason and regular season. During the preseason, he recorded a sack on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, a notable early highlight that showcased his ability to finish plays against professional competition.
On February 12, 2025, Ravenell signed a reserve/futures contract with Baltimore, securing his place on the organization’s offseason roster. His early professional resume, while still developing, offered a blend of size, technique, and short-area quickness that the Ravens valued as they evaluated the bottom of their defensive line depth chart.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024–2025)
Ravenell’s time with the Baltimore Ravens centered on competing for a role along the interior defensive line and contributing on special teams when called upon. He appeared in regular-season action and finished his initial NFL stint with five total tackles and one forced fumble on his statistical ledger. His forced fumble stood as one of the signature impact plays of his early career, demonstrating his ability to disrupt ball carriers and create turnovers for the Ravens’ defense.
On August 26, 2025, as NFL teams trimmed their rosters to the regular-season limit, Ravenell was waived by the Ravens as part of final roster cuts. The move reflected the intense competition along the Baltimore defensive front and opened the door for a quick transition to a new organization.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025–Present)
Just one day after being waived by Baltimore, on August 27, 2025, Ravenell was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, giving him a fresh opportunity within the AFC South. The Titans, in the midst of their own roster build, added him to a defensive line group in need of depth and developmental upside. He stepped into the Tennessee program looking to carve out a role on the rotation and on special teams while continuing to refine his pass-rush technique.
Set to become an exclusive-rights free agent in the 2026 offseason, Ravenell re-signed with the Titans on March 5, 2026, signaling the organization’s continued investment in his development. His ongoing tenure in Tennessee represents his first multi-year professional stability and an opportunity to grow into a more consistent contributor along the interior.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among C.J. Ravenell’s early professional highlights, his preseason sack of Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett stands out as a clear signature moment, providing tangible proof of his ability to pressure NFL-caliber passers. His pair of All-MIAA second-team selections in 2022 and 2023 likewise mark the high point of his college résumé, while his waiver claim by Tennessee less than 24 hours after his Baltimore release underscores the league-wide demand for his size and skill set.
C.J. Ravenell Career Statistics
Through his early NFL tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, C.J. Ravenell recorded five total tackles and one forced fumble, establishing a baseline of disruptive production along the interior defensive line. His college ledger at Missouri Western features three All-MIAA honors across the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons, reflecting a consistent trajectory of recognition within the MIAA conference.
College Highlights
Ravenell appeared in five seasons for the Missouri Western Griffons after redshirting in 2018, gradually expanding his role within the program. He earned third-team All-MIAA honors in 2021 before elevating to second-team All-MIAA selections in both 2022 and 2023, marking the strongest stretch of his college career and the foundation for his professional opportunity.
NFL Statistics
In his initial regular-season work with the Baltimore Ravens, C.J. Ravenell posted five total tackles and one forced fumble, along with a preseason sack of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. His statistical profile is that of a developing interior defender still building toward a larger rotational role.
C.J. Ravenell Family
Family Background
Publicly verified details about C.J. Ravenell’s family background are limited. He was raised in Santa Clarita, California, where he attended Golden Valley High School, and his formative years in the Santa Clarita Valley helped shape his path toward football. Beyond his hometown and high school, extended family and parental information has not been publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Information regarding C.J. Ravenell’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, has not been publicly confirmed. He maintains a professional presence on social media and continues to focus on his developing NFL career with the Tennessee Titans.
2025 Season Performance
C.J. Ravenell’s 2025 season began with the Baltimore Ravens, where he worked to secure a roster spot during training camp and the preseason. His preseason work, including a sack on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, highlighted his pass-rush potential, and he finished his Ravens tenure with five total tackles and one forced fumble on his regular-season ledger. His path through final cuts reflected the intense competition along Baltimore’s defensive front.
On August 27, 2025, Ravenell was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, giving him an opportunity to contribute within a new organization. He joined a Titans defensive line in the midst of a roster evaluation period, where his size and athleticism offered positional flexibility. The midseason transition marked a fresh start and a chance to reset his professional trajectory in the AFC South.
With the Titans, Ravenell’s role centered on providing interior depth, contributing on special teams, and continuing to develop his technique against professional offensive linemen. His re-signing with Tennessee on March 5, 2026, as an exclusive-rights free agent underscored the franchise’s belief in his long-term upside and set the stage for continued growth in the seasons ahead.
