Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Bio
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. A native of Dallas, Texas, Rakestraw played high school football at Duncanville High School before enrolling at the University of Missouri, where he developed into an NFL draft selection in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was born on June 5, 2002, in Dallas, Texas. He attended Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas, where he emerged as a standout defensive back and earned the Dallas Morning News SportsDayHS Defensive Player of the Year honor as a senior in 2019.
Following a decorated high school career, Rakestraw committed to the University of Missouri to play college football. His move to Missouri provided immediate playing opportunities and the exposure that led to his selection in the 2024 NFL draft.
Path to American Football
Rakestraw’s path to college football culminated with his recruitment to the Missouri Tigers program, where he joined the roster for the 2020 season. He arrived at Missouri as a multi-year contributor with starting experience at the high school level and entered the program poised to compete for playing time early.
At Missouri, Rakestraw progressed through the Tigers’ defensive back rotation, earning starting responsibilities as a freshman and using his collegiate seasons to refine coverage technique and run support. His performances through 2023 prompted his decision to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Rakestraw began his collegiate career at the University of Missouri in 2020, starting all 10 games as a true freshman and recording 24 tackles and one sack. That season established him as a reliable presence in the Missouri secondary and showcased his ability to contribute immediately at the college level.
In 2021, Rakestraw played in four games before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that ended his season. The ACL tear required rehabilitation and a measured recovery before he returned to full-time starting duties.
Missouri Tigers Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Rakestraw returned from injury to start all 13 games for the Missouri Tigers in 2022, finishing the season with 35 tackles and one interception. That season marked a clear comeback and demonstrated his ability to regain form after a significant knee injury.
He remained with Missouri for the 2023 season, appearing in nine games and finishing with 35 tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble. After the 2023 campaign, Rakestraw declared for the 2024 NFL draft, entering the professional ranks on the strength of his sustained collegiate contributions.
Detroit Lions Era (2024–Present)
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 61st overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. He joined the Lions as cornerback No. 2 on the roster and began his NFL career under the franchise’s player development and defensive coaching staff starting in 2024.
Through the 2025 statistical update, Rakestraw recorded six total tackles in NFL play. On August 7, 2025, the Lions placed Rakestraw on injured reserve after announcing he required shoulder surgery, a procedure that ended his 2025 NFL season.
Driving Style and Strengths
On field, Rakestraw demonstrated physical run support and ball production during his college career, recording tackles, an interception in 2022 and multiple passes defended and a forced fumble in 2023. Those statistical markers reflect his ability to make tackles near the line of scrimmage and to contest passes at the catch point.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Rakestraw’s career include being named the Dallas Morning News SportsDayHS Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, starting as a true freshman for the Missouri Tigers in 2020, returning from a torn ACL to post a full starting season in 2022, and being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. The 2025 placement on injured reserve for shoulder surgery is a recent significant event affecting his professional availability.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Career Wins
Rakestraw’s career highlights center on individual and team contributions across high school and college rather than win totals. Verifiable career milestones include his high school defensive player award, collegiate starting seasons at Missouri, and his selection in the 2024 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.
Missouri Tigers Highlights
At Missouri, Rakestraw started all 10 games as a freshman in 2020, finishing that year with 24 tackles and one sack. In 2022 he returned from injury to start all 13 games and recorded 35 tackles and one interception, and in 2023 he compiled 35 tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble across nine games before declaring for the NFL draft.
Other Wins & Performances
As a senior at Duncanville High School, Rakestraw was recognized by the Dallas Morning News with the SportsDayHS Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019. That accolade underscored his status as one of the region’s top prep defensive backs entering college.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was born in Dallas, Texas. There are no widely published public details about his parents or extended family in the available record provided here.
Personal Life
Rakestraw attended Duncanville High School before matriculating to the University of Missouri. As of the latest verified information, there are no public records included here indicating a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season for Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was curtailed by injury. On August 7, 2025, the Detroit Lions placed Rakestraw on injured reserve after announcing he would require shoulder surgery, a move that ended his availability for the 2025 NFL season.
Statistical records updated through 2025 list six total tackles in his NFL career. The injury and surgical timeline are the defining facts of his 2025 season within the verified record provided.