Darrell Baker Jr. Bio
Darrell Megail Baker Jr. (born March 27, 1998) is a Panamanian-American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Panama City, he grew up in Hephzibah, Georgia, and played college football for the Georgia Southern Eagles. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Darrell Baker Jr. was born on March 27, 1998, in Panama City, Panama, to two United States Army veterans. He was raised in Hephzibah, Georgia, where he attended Hephzibah High School. During his time in high school, he participated in both football and track and field, playing as a cornerback and wide receiver in football. As a junior, he made several key plays in the regular season finale, helping his team reach the state playoffs and earning recognition as The Augusta Chronicle player of the week. In track, he excelled as a senior, winning the state championship in the long jump and being named the Boys’ track athlete of the year by the Chronicle. Baker began attending Georgia Southern University in 2016, where he was a walk-on member of the football team. He spent his true freshman season as a redshirt. In 2017, during his second year with the program, he played in 12 games, recording 18 tackles and one interception along with a forced fumble. The following season, he appeared in nine matches, contributing six tackles and another interception. As a junior in 2019, Baker played in all 12 games, starting three, and recorded two pass breakups along with 23 tackles. He became a full-time starter in 2020, starting all 12 games and posting 34 tackles, seven pass breakups, and an interception, earning third-team all-conference honors from Pro Football Focus at the end of the season. After receiving an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Baker opted to return to Georgia Southern for a sixth season in 2021. He started eight games and appeared in a total of 10, finishing with 32 tackles, eight pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He concluded his college career with 111 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 18 pass breakups.
Path to American Football
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Darrell Baker Jr. was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. However, he was waived on August 29, 2022, during the roster cuts period. Following his release from Arizona, he had tryouts with the Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts. Baker was signed to the Colts’ practice squad on September 13, 2022. He was elevated to the active roster for their Week 15 game against the Minnesota Vikings, making his NFL debut in a 39–36 loss and appearing on 14 special teams snaps. He was signed to the active roster on December 28, 2022, and made a notable impact by recovering a fumble in the Colts’ Week 18 game against the Houston Texans. In 2023, Baker made the Colts’ final roster, playing in 14 games with six starts, finishing second on the team in pass breakups. On January 8, 2024, he signed a one-year contract extension with the Colts. However, on August 28, 2024, Baker was waived by the Colts.
Darrell Baker Jr. Career
Early Career (2022)
Darrell Baker Jr. began his professional career with the Arizona Cardinals after going undrafted in 2022. Although he was waived before the start of the season, his subsequent signing with the Indianapolis Colts marked the beginning of his NFL journey. He made his debut in December 2022, showcasing his potential on the field.
Breakthrough (2023-2024)
Baker’s breakthrough came during the 2023 NFL season when he secured a spot on the Indianapolis Colts’ final roster. He played in 14 games, starting six, and demonstrated his skills as a cornerback, finishing second on the team in pass breakups. His performance earned him a contract extension with the Colts in January 2024. However, following his release from the Colts in August 2024, he was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans. In the 2024 season, Baker played all 17 games, including nine starts, and finished with 40 tackles and five pass deflections. On March 11, 2025, he signed a one-year contract extension with the Titans.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Darrell Baker Jr. has established himself as a reliable cornerback in the NFL. His notable achievements include his impressive performance during the 2023 season with the Indianapolis Colts and his contributions to the Tennessee Titans in the following year.
Darrell Baker Jr. Award Nominations
As of now, Darrell Baker Jr. has not received any formal award nominations during his professional football career.
Darrell Baker Jr. Awards Won
Darrell Baker Jr. has not won any awards during his professional football career to date.
Darrell Baker Jr. Family
There is limited public information available regarding Darrell Baker Jr.’s family. He was born to two United States Army veterans, but further details about his family life are not publicly disclosed.
Personal Life
Darrell Baker Jr. maintains a private personal life, and there are no publicly available details regarding his marital status or relationships.