D.J. Ivey Bio
D.J. Ivey (born February 25, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 192 pounds, he plays the cornerback position and wears jersey number 38 for Cincinnati. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes before being selected by the Bengals in the seventh round, 246th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Early Life and Background
D.J. Ivey was born on February 25, 2000, in Miami Beach, Florida, and grew up in Florida City, Florida. He spent his formative years in the Homestead area of Miami-Dade County, where football is a central part of the local sports culture. His upbringing in South Florida placed him in a region known for producing skilled defensive backs at both the high school and collegiate levels.
Ivey first attended Homestead Senior High School before transferring to South Dade Senior High School. As a senior, he posted six interceptions, a total that drew the attention of major college programs. He was ranked a four-star recruit by 247Sports and committed to play college football for the Miami Hurricanes after graduating from high school.
Path to American Football
Ivey’s path to professional football began in earnest when he joined the Miami Hurricanes in 2018 as a true freshman. He appeared in 11 games during his first season, playing mostly on special teams while recording three tackles. The experience allowed him to adjust to the speed and physical demands of the college game while learning behind more established defensive backs.
By his sophomore year, Ivey had earned a larger role, playing 12 games with six starts and posting 25 tackles along with three interceptions, the latter figure leading the team. The 2020 season saw him start all 11 games, tallying 36 tackles and four pass breakups. After a senior campaign in which he recorded 38 tackles, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions, he finished his stint at Miami with 127 tackles, 17 pass breakups, six interceptions, and two fumbles forced across 58 games played, 32 of which he started.
D.J. Ivey Career
Early Career (2023)
Ivey was selected in the seventh round, 246th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite being a late-round pick, he made an impression during the preseason and was named to the Bengals’ 53-man roster. He opened his rookie season listed as the fourth cornerback on the Cincinnati depth chart.
During the first quarter of the Bengals’ Week 15 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, Ivey suffered a non-contact knee injury and was carted off the field. He was placed on injured reserve on December 18, 2023, ending his rookie campaign.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2023–Present)
Ivey began the 2024 season on the reserve and physically unable to perform list while continuing to recover from his knee injury. He was activated on October 19, 2024, and returned to game action for the Bengals. His activation marked an important step in his comeback from the injury that had cut short his first professional season.
Through his first NFL seasons, Ivey recorded 24 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and 6 pass deflections. He has continued to develop within the Cincinnati secondary, working to establish a steady role after overcoming his early injury setback.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Ivey’s professional career came during his senior season at South Dade Senior High School, when his six interceptions helped him earn four-star recruit status and a commitment to the Miami Hurricanes. At the college level, his three interceptions as a sophomore led the Miami team and signaled his potential as a ball-hawking cornerback. In the NFL, his placement on the Bengals’ 53-man roster as a seventh-round pick stood as a notable achievement, as did his return to the active roster in October 2024 after a serious knee injury.
D.J. Ivey Career Statistics
Ivey has compiled verifiable production across his college and early professional career. At the University of Miami, he finished with 127 tackles, 17 pass breakups, six interceptions, and two fumbles forced across 58 games. His NFL totals through the 2024 season include 24 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and 6 pass deflections, reflecting his role as a developing defensive back in the Cincinnati secondary.
D.J. Ivey Family
Personal Life
Public details about Ivey’s family life are limited. He grew up in Florida City, Florida, and attended Homestead Senior High School before transferring to South Dade Senior High School. He maintains a presence on social media and is represented by his official Instagram account.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering the 2025 season, D.J. Ivey is positioned to build on his late-2024 return from injured reserve. Now fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his rookie campaign, he is expected to compete for an expanded role within the Cincinnati Bengals secondary. With proven ball skills demonstrated by his six collegiate interceptions and his 6 pass deflections in limited NFL action, Ivey offers the Bengals a depth option with starting potential.
His development will be a storyline to watch, as the Bengals continue to shape their cornerback rotation. A strong training camp and preseason could elevate him higher on the depth chart following his debut season as the fourth cornerback. The 2025 campaign represents an opportunity for Ivey to translate his collegiate production into sustained NFL contribution.