Denico Autry Bio
Denico Autry (born July 15, 1990) is an American professional football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders in 2014. Autry has established himself as a formidable presence on the field, known for his defensive skills and ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
Early Life and Background
Denico Autry was born in Albemarle, North Carolina. He attended Albemarle High School, where he played football for the Bulldogs. During his senior season, he recorded impressive statistics, finishing with 104 solo tackles, 38 assists, 9.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. His outstanding performance earned him accolades such as the All-SNAP Defensive Player of the Year and the Rocky River Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Autry also showcased his talent in the NCCA East-West All-Star game.
Path to American Football
After high school, Denico Autry began his college football career at East Mississippi Community College. He played for the East Mississippi Lions from 2010 to 2011, helping the team achieve a perfect 12–0 record and winning the state championship and NJCAA national title. His performance earned him a spot on the 2011 NJCAA Football All-America First-team. Following his successful stint at East Mississippi, Autry transferred to Mississippi State University, where he played from 2012 to 2013. During his time with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, he appeared in 26 games, starting 23, and recorded 73 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Denico Autry Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Denico Autry entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent when he was signed by the Oakland Raiders on May 20, 2014. He made his NFL debut on October 2, 2014, against the Cleveland Browns, where he recorded two tackles. In his rookie season, he played in ten games and accumulated 13 combined tackles. Autry’s performance improved in the 2015 season, where he played in 14 games, starting eight, and totaled 22 combined tackles, three sacks, and one safety. He continued to develop as a player, earning a one-year exclusive rights tender from the Raiders in 2016 and a restricted free agent tender in 2017.
Breakthrough (2018–2020)
On March 14, 2018, Denico Autry signed a three-year, $17.8 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He had a standout performance in Week 14 of the 2018 season, recording a career-high three sacks and two forced fumbles against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which earned him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Autry finished the 2019 season with 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 14 games played. He made significant contributions to the Colts’ defense during his tenure, including a notable performance in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills, where he sacked quarterback Josh Allen 1.5 times.
Notable Works and Milestones
Denico Autry’s signature work includes his impressive defensive statistics, with a total of 62 sacks and 323 tackles as of 2024. His ability to create turnovers and pressure quarterbacks has made him a valuable asset to his teams throughout his career.
Transition to Tennessee Titans (2021–2023)
On March 18, 2021, Autry signed a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Tennessee Titans. He continued to excel in his role, setting a career-high and team-leading 11.5 sacks in the 2023 season, along with 50 tackles and two forced fumbles. His performance solidified his reputation as a top defensive end in the league.
Joining the Houston Texans (2024–Present)
Denico Autry signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans on March 15, 2024. However, he faced a setback when he was suspended for six games due to violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Upon his return, he made 10 appearances, recording three sacks and 13 combined tackles. As of the start of the 2025 season, Autry began on the PUP list due to a knee injury but was activated for his season debut on October 20, 2025.
Denico Autry Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Denico Autry has received recognition for his performance on the field, including nominations for various defensive player awards, showcasing his impact in the NFL.
Denico Autry Awards Won
Denico Autry has achieved significant milestones in his career, including being named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week during the 2018 season, highlighting his standout performances in critical games.
Denico Autry Family
Information regarding Denico Autry’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about Denico Autry’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not disclosed in public records.
