Damontae Kazee Bio
Damontae Tyron Kazee is an American professional football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Kazee played college football at San Diego State, where he established himself as a formidable cornerback before transitioning to safety at the professional level. He has earned recognition across the league for his ball-hawking skills, including co-leading the NFL in interceptions during the 2018 season.
Since entering the league in 2017, Kazee has built a reputation as a reliable defensive back who can play multiple roles in the secondary. His career has taken him through several organizations, and he has continued to contribute on special teams and in nickel packages. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 174 pounds, Kazee combines quickness with sharp instincts in coverage.
Early Life and Background
Damontae Tyron Kazee was born on June 5, 1993, in San Bernardino, California. He grew up in the same city and attended Cajon High School, where he developed into a talented two-way player on the football field. During his senior season in 2011, Kazee posted 27 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, four rushing touchdowns and four receiving touchdowns, earning a three-time All-CIF selection. His versatility as a cornerback and running back helped him stand out among high school prospects in the region.
Beyond football, Kazee also lettered in basketball and track, showcasing the athletic background that would later help him adapt to multiple positions in college and the NFL. His development at Cajon prepared him for the next level, and he drew attention from several college programs. Following the path of his older brother Walter, who had played running back at San Diego State, Kazee chose to continue his football career with the Aztecs.
Path to American Football
Kazee accepted a football scholarship to San Diego State, where he joined a competitive program in the Mountain West Conference. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 13 games as a backup cornerback, recording 41 tackles, one interception and four forced fumbles while also contributing on special teams. His early production gave the coaching staff confidence in his long-term potential.
Over the next three seasons, Kazee blossomed into one of the most consistent cornerbacks in the Mountain West. As a sophomore, he started all 13 games and led the team with 13 pass breakups. His junior year saw him collect 75 tackles, eight interceptions and 58 solo tackles, while his senior campaign added 65 tackles and seven more interceptions. He finished his college career as San Diego State’s all-time leader in interceptions with 17 and became the first player in school history to record six or more interceptions in consecutive seasons.
His play earned him two Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016, along with First-team All-Mountain West honors in both seasons. Kazee also accepted an invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl, where his performance impressed scouts and helped raise his draft stock heading into the NFL combine.
Damontae Kazee Career
Early Career (2017)
Kazee was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round, 149th overall, of the 2017 NFL draft and signed a four-year rookie contract. He entered training camp competing for the nickel back role before head coach Dan Quinn opted to transition him to free safety in July. He was named the backup free safety behind Ricardo Allen to begin his rookie season.
Kazee made his professional debut in the Falcons’ season opener at the Chicago Bears, recording two solo tackles and forcing a fumble in a 23-17 victory. He earned his first career start in October against the Buffalo Bills and finished the year with 23 combined tackles, two forced fumbles and one start across 16 games. The switch to safety gave him a clearer path to playing time and helped him showcase the instincts that had defined his college career.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2018-2019)
Kazee entered the 2018 season as the backup strong safety before taking over as a starter following a season-ending injury to Keanu Neal in Week 1. He delivered one of the most productive seasons of his career, finishing third on the team with 82 combined tackles and tying for the league lead with seven interceptions. He recorded his first interception of the year in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers and added multiple takeaways later in the season as the Falcons pushed toward the playoffs.
In 2019, Kazee continued to be a fixture in Atlanta’s secondary. He registered 74 combined tackles, three interceptions and one forced fumble while starting regularly at safety. During a Week 14 victory over the Panthers, he forced a fumble on a kickoff return and added two more interceptions off passes from quarterback Kyle Allen, capping a strong individual stretch. Across his four seasons in Atlanta, Kazee tallied 199 tackles, 10 interceptions, 13 pass breakups and five forced fumbles before a torn Achilles ended his 2020 campaign in Week 4.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2021)
On March 29, 2021, Kazee signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, reuniting with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn from his time in Atlanta. After recovering from his Achilles injury, he appeared in 17 games with 15 starts at free safety, producing 54 defensive tackles, two interceptions, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He also contributed on special teams with two tackles and started in the Cowboys’ playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, where he collected nine tackles.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2022-2023)
Kazee signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 3, 2022, though a fractured forearm in the preseason and a three-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy limited him to nine games and four starts that season. He recorded 19 tackles, two interceptions and two passes defensed before signing a two-year extension in March 2023. During a Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, Kazee was ejected for a hit to the head of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., and the NFL later suspended him for the remainder of the regular season while allowing him to be available for any postseason games.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025)
On May 12, 2025, Kazee signed with the Cleveland Browns in search of a fresh opportunity. He appeared in four games for Cleveland without recording a tackle before the team released him on November 3, 2025.
Detroit Lions Era (2025-Present)
On December 8, 2025, Kazee was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, joining a defense chasing postseason positioning. His veteran experience in the secondary has given the Lions additional depth as they navigate the back stretch of the regular season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kazee is best known for his ball-hawking instincts and reliable tackling in space. He reads quarterbacks well in zone coverage, breaks on routes quickly, and has shown a steady knack for forcing turnovers. His background as a cornerback gives him the footwork to match up with slot receivers, and he has adapted to multiple safety roles throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Kazee’s career came during the 2018 season, when he tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions and set the tone for a defense that helped Atlanta remain competitive. He also set San Diego State’s all-time interception record with 17 career picks and became the first player in program history to record six or more interceptions in consecutive seasons.
Damontae Kazee Career Wins
Damontae Tyron Kazee has built a productive NFL career defined more by turnovers and defensive impact than traditional win-loss results. He co-led the league in interceptions in 2018 and has accumulated 17 career interceptions along with seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 24 pass deflections through the 2025 season. He has also added 363 combined tackles across his time with the Falcons, Cowboys, Steelers, Browns and Lions.
NFL Highlights
Kazee’s most memorable single-game performance came in 2019 against the Carolina Panthers, when he forced a fumble on a kickoff return and intercepted two passes from Kyle Allen in a 40-20 victory. His seven-interception 2018 campaign remains the benchmark of his career and established him as one of the league’s most opportunistic safeties that year.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Kazee earned two Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016, along with First-team All-Mountain West honors in both seasons and a Second-team All-Mountain West selection in 2014. He also helped lead the South team to a 16-15 victory in the 2017 Senior Bowl, a performance that helped solidify his status as a top draft prospect.
Damontae Kazee Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kazee comes from a football family rooted in San Bernardino, California. His older brother Walter played running back at San Diego State, which influenced Damontae’s decision to join the Aztecs and continue the family’s connection to the program. Their shared path through San Diego State helped shape his development as a young player.
Personal Life
Kazee has kept most of his personal life out of the public eye. Public records show that in October 2021, he was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence after a traffic stop in The Colony, Texas. He has otherwise been known for his focus on football and his steady presence in team locker rooms throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
Kazee began the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns after signing in May, appearing in four games without recording a tackle before his release on November 3. The short stint in Cleveland reflected the challenges of finding a consistent role late in his career, but his veteran experience quickly drew interest elsewhere.
On December 8, 2025, he joined the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, where he provides experienced depth in the secondary for a team in the middle of a playoff push. While his on-field role may be limited, his knowledge of multiple defensive schemes from his time with the Falcons, Cowboys and Steelers has made him a valuable addition to the practice field.
With the Lions competing for postseason seeding, Kazee’s opportunity to contribute on defense or special teams remains open heading into the final weeks of the regular season. His familiarity with coordinator-driven defenses and his track record of forcing turnovers could still translate into late-season opportunities as Detroit pushes toward the playoffs.