Da’Shawn Hand Bio
Da’Shawn Hand, born on November 14, 1995, is an American professional football defensive end currently playing in the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 302 pounds, Hand has built a career as a rotational pass rusher and run defender since entering the league in 2018. He is recognized for his two College Football Playoff national championships at the University of Alabama and a PFWA All-Rookie selection with the Detroit Lions.
Hand was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Woodbridge, Virginia, where he emerged as one of the most decorated high school football recruits in the country. After a successful college career under head coach Nick Saban, he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Hand has since played for several franchises, including the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Early Life and Background
Da’Shawn Hand was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 14, 1995. His father, Sharif Hand, was a junior in high school at the time of his birth. Hand later moved to Woodbridge, Virginia, where he was raised and began developing his athletic abilities. His uncle, Damone Boone, was a Parade All-American running back at West Springfield High School in the mid-1990s, providing Hand with an early connection to competitive football culture.
Hand attended Woodbridge High School, where he was a three-sport athlete competing in football, wrestling, and track and field. In football, he played as an All-State defensive lineman. During his junior season, Hand recorded 110 tackles, 16 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, two pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, establishing himself as a dominant defensive prospect. Woodbridge finished the season 6–5, losing 0–17 in the first round of the VHSL playoffs.
Beyond football, Hand was a regional champion in Virginia wrestling. In track and field, he competed primarily as a thrower, recording a career-best shot put of 15.81 meters at the City-County Championships, and a top discus throw of 35.66 meters at the Gojekian Twilight Classic. He also ran a 12.24-second 100-meter dash and a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, with a 33-inch vertical jump. After his junior year, he was named the Rivals.com Junior of the Year and became the subject of a Washington Post documentary series titled First and 17.
Path to American Football
Hand was considered the nation’s best recruit in the 2014 class by Rivals.com, earning the Junior of the Year honor in 2012. With over 90 scholarship offers, he narrowed his college choices to Alabama, Florida, and Michigan. On November 14, 2013, his eighteenth birthday, Hand committed to the University of Alabama, citing the school’s strong civil engineering program as a key factor in his decision.
At Alabama, Hand played for the Crimson Tide from 2014 to 2017 under legendary head coach Nick Saban. He was a regular in the defensive line rotation as a true freshman, appearing in nine games and recording seven tackles, including four solo stops and two sacks. Hand developed into a reliable defensive end and contributed to back-to-back College Football Playoff national championships in 2015 and 2017.
In 2017, Hand started nine of the 11 games he played, missing some time with a minor knee injury. He finished the season with 27 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. His performance earned him Second-team All-SEC honors in both 2016 and 2017, cementing his status as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Da’Shawn Hand Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Hand was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round, 114th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. He made his professional debut in the Lions’ season opener against the New York Jets. In Week 4, he recorded his first career sack against the Dallas Cowboys, and he added another sack the following week in a victory over the Green Bay Packers. Despite a promising start, Hand was placed on injured reserve on December 18, 2018, but earned recognition as a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection.
The 2019 season proved to be a difficult, injury-riddled sophomore campaign for Hand. He suffered an elbow injury early in training camp and missed the first six weeks of the regular season. After returning for two games, he suffered an ankle injury in Week 9, missed three more contests, and suffered a setback in Week 13. Hand was placed on injured reserve on December 12, 2019, limiting him to just a handful of appearances.
Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts (2020–2021)
In 2020, Hand was relegated to a backup role with the Detroit Lions, playing in roughly 50 percent of defensive snaps while starting only one of ten games. He missed three early-season games with a groin injury, then suffered an ankle injury in Week 14 and was placed on injured reserve on December 19, 2020. His 2021 season began with another stint on injured reserve, and after a brief activation, he was placed back on injured reserve on November 23, 2021, and released on November 30.
On December 21, 2021, Hand was signed to the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad. He was released just ten days later on December 31, closing out a challenging stretch of his professional career marked by frequent injury setbacks.
Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins Era (2022–2024)
On January 5, 2022, Hand was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad, and on February 15, he signed a reserve/future contract with the team. His time in Tennessee was again disrupted, as he was placed on injured reserve on September 13, 2022. Hand then signed with the Miami Dolphins on August 6, 2023, and after a brief release, was re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on September 16, 2023.
On March 18, 2024, Hand re-signed with the Miami Dolphins for another season. He continued to serve in a rotational defensive role, drawing on his experience across multiple defensive schemes and contributing on both run and pass downs.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025)
On March 13, 2025, Hand signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year, $3.35 million contract. He appeared in the early part of the season before suffering a groin injury in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. He was placed on injured reserve on October 11 but was activated on November 8, ahead of the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, finishing out the year as part of the Chargers’ defensive rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hand’s signature achievements are his two College Football Playoff national championships with Alabama in 2015 and 2017, and his PFWA All-Rookie Team selection in 2018. His first NFL sack came against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4 of the 2018 season, and he recorded his first NFL interception later in his career. Despite multiple injury setbacks, Hand has remained a durable presence along NFL defensive lines.
Da’Shawn Hand Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Hand was born to his father, Sharif Hand, who was a junior in high school when Da’Shawn was born. His uncle, Damone Boone, was a Parade All-American running back at West Springfield High School, giving the family a clear football lineage. Hand has one daughter, though further personal details are limited.
2025 Season Performance
Hand’s 2025 campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers began on a one-year, $3.35 million deal signed in March. He contributed along the defensive line early in the season before a groin injury in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders forced him onto injured reserve on October 11, 2025. His return to the active roster in November, ahead of the Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, provided the Chargers with added veteran depth for the stretch run.
As a veteran defensive end, Hand was relied upon for his experience and rotational presence on both pass rushing and run defense downs. His ability to return from injury and finish the season provided stability to a Chargers defense seeking experienced contributors.
Following the 2025 season, Hand’s next career move came on March 16, 2026, when he signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, continuing his journeyman career across the NFL.