Chris Rumph II Bio
Chris Rumph II (born October 19, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 2 in and listed at 244 lb, he plays on the edge of the defensive line and contributes as a pass rusher and run defender. He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils and entered the league after being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Chris Rumph II was born on October 19, 1998, in Gainesville, Florida. Because his father worked as a football coach, the family moved frequently during his childhood, and Rumph transferred to Buchholz High School in Gainesville before his sophomore year. The moves helped him develop adaptability early, and the family ties to coaching gave him a steady understanding of the game from a young age.
As a senior at Buchholz High School, Rumph emerged as one of the top defensive prospects in Florida. He was named first-team All-State and the Big School Player of the Year by The Gainesville Sun after recording 105 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, two blocked punts, one interception, and two fumble recoveries. He committed to Duke over scholarship offers from UCF, Vanderbilt, and Appalachian State, choosing to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Path to American Football
Rumph arrived at Duke in 2017 and redshirted his true freshman season, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the college game. The redshirt year allowed him to build strength and refine his technique before stepping onto the field. The Duke program gave him a clear developmental path, with consistent coaching and a defensive scheme suited to his length and quickness off the edge.
By his second season in the program, Rumph was producing at a high level. He earned freshman All-American recognition from USA Today and earned third-team All-ACC honors the following year from Pro Football Focus and Sports Illustrated. His steady rise at Duke positioned him as one of the ACC’s most disruptive defensive linemen and set the stage for the 2021 NFL draft.
Chris Rumph II Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Rumph’s early college career was defined by gradual progression. After redshirting in 2017, he broke into the lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2018 and posted 25 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup, which earned him freshman All-American honors from USA Today. The following season he was named third-team All-ACC.
As a junior in 2020, Rumph produced 47 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three pass breakups, 11 quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble, earning second-team All-ACC recognition. Across his four college seasons, he developed into a complete edge defender, combining strength at the point of attack with the ability to pressure the quarterback.
NFL Breakthrough with the Los Angeles Chargers (2021–2024)
Rumph was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round, 118th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. On May 18, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with the Chargers. He joined a defense that emphasized edge pressure, and his length and motor helped him earn rotational snaps as a rookie.
His Chargers tenure, however, was interrupted by injuries. On November 15, 2023, Rumph was placed on injured reserve with a fractured foot, missing the remainder of that season. On August 27, 2024, he was placed on injured reserve again, ending his 2024 campaign before it began. Through his Chargers years, he appeared in regular defensive rotation while contributing on special teams.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025–Present)
On April 28, 2025, Rumph signed with the New Orleans Saints on a one-year contract, beginning a new chapter after his release from the Chargers. The move offered him a fresh opportunity to compete for playing time on a defense looking to bolster its pass rush. He entered the Saints’ edge rotation with a chance to establish himself as a steady contributor.
On March 19, 2026, Rumph re-signed with the Saints on a one-year, $2 million contract, signaling the organization’s confidence in his role. Through the early portion of his Saints tenure, he has continued to provide depth at defensive end while working to expand his snap count. The stability of a second consecutive one-year deal reflects his value to the defensive line room.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rumph plays with the length, leverage, and motor typical of a developmental edge rusher. His college production showed a steady mix of run-defense tackles and tackles for loss, while his NFL role has leaned on special teams and rotational pass-rush snaps. At 6 ft 2 in and 244 lb, he combines compact power with active hands, and his background in a coach’s household has given him a professional approach to preparation and film study.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rumph’s most notable milestones include being named a freshman All-American by USA Today, earning third-team All-ACC in 2019, and second-team All-ACC in 2020. He was selected 118th overall in the 2021 NFL draft and signed his first NFL contract with the Chargers in May 2021. He later signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2025 and re-signed with the club in March 2026.
Chris Rumph II Career Wins
Chris Rumph II has built his professional résumé through durability, production, and team success rather than headline statistical milestones. Across his time at Duke and in the NFL, he has been recognized with All-ACC honors in back-to-back seasons and has carved out a role on two NFL rosters. As of the 2025 season, his verified career totals include 86 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery.
NFL Highlights
Rumph’s most notable NFL work came in his Chargers seasons, where he served as a rotational edge defender and core special teams player. After recovering from a fractured foot in 2023, he returned to contribute on special teams before his 2024 season ended on injured reserve. His signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2025 marked his first major career move as a free agent.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his NFL résumé, Rumph was a decorated high school player in Florida, earning first-team All-State honors and Big School Player of the Year recognition from The Gainesville Sun. At Duke, he earned freshman All-American honors from USA Today and consecutive All-ACC nods in 2019 and 2020. He also received first-team All-America recognition from Pro Football Focus and second-team All-America recognition from Sports Illustrated during his college career.
Chris Rumph II Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chris Rumph II grew up in a football family. His father, Chris Rumph, played linebacker at South Carolina and has coached at both the collegiate and professional levels, currently serving as the defensive line coach at Clemson. The constant movement tied to his father’s coaching career shaped Rumph’s childhood and exposed him to different programs and styles early in life.
Personal Life
Rumph’s personal life has remained largely private, with limited public details beyond his family ties to coaching and his professional career. He has continued to focus on his development as an edge rusher and his role with the New Orleans Saints. His long-term connection to football, both through family and his own path, remains a defining feature of his life off the field.
2025 Season Performance
Rumph joined the New Orleans Saints on April 28, 2025, on a one-year contract, transitioning from his Chargers tenure to a new defensive line room. Throughout the 2025 season, he has worked into the Saints’ edge rotation while contributing on special teams. His role has been built around energy, run defense, and selective pass-rush opportunities.
The Saints valued his size, motor, and special teams background, and the early portion of the 2025 season gave him a chance to reset his NFL trajectory after back-to-back injured reserve stints. His career totals through 2025 include 86 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery.
Looking ahead, Rumph re-signed with the Saints on a one-year, $2 million contract on March 19, 2026, a move that reflects the organization’s belief in his continued growth. As he enters the next phase of his career, he remains focused on expanding his defensive role and staying healthy for a full season. His development within the Saints’ system is expected to remain a key storyline in the seasons ahead.