DeMarcco Hellams Bio
DeMarcco Hellams is an American professional football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide before being selected by the Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 203 pounds, Hellams has carved out a role in the secondary while contributing on special teams, establishing himself as a reliable depth piece in Atlanta’s defense.
Early Life and Background
DeMarcco Hellams was born on June 5, 2000, in Washington, D.C., in the United States. Growing up in the greater Washington area, he developed into a multi-sport athlete with a particular passion for football. His early exposure to the game came through local youth programs before he enrolled at one of the most prestigious football programs in the region.
Hellams attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he starred on both sides of the ball. He played defensive back and wide receiver, demonstrating rare two-way ability at the high school level. His combination of speed, ball skills, and football intelligence made him one of the top-rated prospects in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
As a senior, Hellams put together a dominant season that earned him the Washington Post Metro Offensive Player of the Year award. He caught 78 passes for 1,469 yards and 21 touchdowns on offense while also adding 12 interceptions on defense, an impressive statistical line that highlighted his versatility. Following that breakout campaign, he committed to the University of Alabama to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Hellams’ path to becoming a professional football safety was shaped by his elite high school production and his decision to join one of college football’s most storied programs. By choosing Alabama, he entered a defensive pipeline known for producing NFL-ready defensive backs under demanding coaching staffs. The transition from high school star to college contributor required patience and development, both of which he demonstrated during his time in Tuscaloosa.
His two-way background at DeMatha Catholic gave him a unique foundation as he moved into a full-time defensive role at the collegiate level. Coaches at Alabama valued his coverage instincts and tackling ability, traits that had been evident since his prep days. Over time, Hellams grew into a more disciplined, assignment-sound defender, preparing him for the rigors of NFL competition.
DeMarcco Hellams Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
DeMarcco Hellams began his college career at the University of Alabama in 2019, playing in 13 games as a true freshman. In that debut season, he recorded four tackles and half a sack while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the Southeastern Conference. His role grew steadily as he gained experience within the Crimson Tide defense.
During his sophomore season in 2020, Hellams appeared in 13 games and produced 56 tackles along with one sack, signaling his emergence as a dependable contributor. As a first-year starter in 2021, he tallied 87 tackles and three interceptions, showcasing the ball-hawking ability that had defined his high school career. He returned for his senior year in 2022 and finished sixth in the SEC with 108 tackles, leading the Alabama Crimson Tide in stops and cementing his reputation as a tackling machine.
Alabama Crimson Tide Breakthrough (2019–2022)
Hellams’ four seasons at Alabama represented a steady climb from rotational freshman to team-leading tackler. His development mirrored the program’s expectation that defensive backs must be physical, intelligent, and versatile. By his senior season, he had become a foundational piece of the Crimson Tide secondary, consistently delivering against some of the nation’s top passing attacks.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023–Present)
DeMarcco Hellams was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round with the 224th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He joined a Falcons secondary in need of depth and quickly began working to earn a regular role on defense and special teams. His path to the field was slowed when he was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, causing him to miss the entirety of that season as he recovered.
Hellams returned healthy in 2025 and made 11 appearances for Atlanta, working primarily on special teams. In that role, he posted 10 tackles and recovered one fumble, contributing in the third phase of the game. On December 6, 2025, he was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, pausing his late-season momentum.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hellams is recognized for his physical tackling, reliable open-field pursuit, and willingness to contribute on special teams. His college production, particularly the 108-tackle senior season at Alabama, underscored his instincts and run-support ability. He has shown the discipline and toughness that Atlanta values in its defensive backs.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Hellams’ career was earning the Washington Post Metro Offensive Player of the Year as a high school senior, an award that recognized his rare two-way production. At Alabama, his 2022 team-leading 108-tackle performance stood out as a signature season, and his selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft marked the official start of his professional journey.
DeMarcco Hellams Career Wins
Throughout his football career, DeMarcco Hellams has accumulated individual accolades and statistical achievements rather than championship hardware. His most prominent honors include the Washington Post Metro Offensive Player of the Year in high school and a team-leading tackle total at Alabama in 2022. At the professional level, he continues to build his resume with the Atlanta Falcons.
Alabama Crimson Tide Highlights
At Alabama, Hellams steadily built his résumé over four seasons, culminating in a 108-tackle senior year that led the Crimson Tide and ranked sixth in the SEC. His first career interception came during his junior season in 2021, a year in which he also recorded 87 tackles, signaling his arrival as a starter.
Other Wins & Performances
In the NFL, Hellams recorded one fumble recovery during the 2025 season, a notable early-career highlight that demonstrated his playmaking instincts in limited defensive and special teams opportunities. His continued development with the Falcons suggests additional statistical milestones are within reach.
DeMarcco Hellams Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs in the Hellams family. DeMarcco’s older brother, Delante Jr., played college football as a wide receiver for the Stony Brook Seawolves from 2017 to 2022. The brothers’ shared commitment to the sport helped shape DeMarcco’s path from the Washington, D.C., area to the highest levels of college and professional football.
Personal Life
DeMarcco Hellams was born and raised in the Washington, D.C., area, where he attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. He is an American by nationality, and he continues his professional career with the Atlanta Falcons as of the 2025 NFL season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented DeMarcco Hellams’ return to active duty with the Atlanta Falcons after missing the entirety of the 2024 campaign on injured reserve. He appeared in 11 games, operating primarily on special teams, where he recorded 10 tackles and one fumble recovery. Those contributions helped Atlanta’s third-phase units while he worked to expand his role on defense.
His progress was interrupted on December 6, 2025, when he was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. The placement cut short a promising stretch of the season and forced the Falcons to lean on other contributors down the stretch. Despite the setback, his prior special teams production offered a foundation to build upon.
Looking ahead, Hellams’ outlook in Atlanta depends on his recovery from the late-season hamstring injury and his ability to compete for a larger defensive role. His tackling pedigree from Alabama and his special teams reliability give him a clear path back into the mix. Continued health and development could position him for a more prominent role within the Falcons’ secondary in the seasons to come.