Grant Stuard Bio
Grant Stuard (born October 15, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Houston Cougars and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the final pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, earning the annual designation of Mr. Irrelevant. After stops in Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, and Detroit, he continues his career as a contributor on defense and special teams.
Standing 5 ft 11 in and listed at 230 lb, Stuard has built his reputation on toughness, preparation, and dependable special-teams play. His professional path from the final pick of his draft class to a multi-year veteran reflects steady improvement and a willingness to embrace every role offered by his teams.
Early Life and Background
Grant Stuard was born on October 15, 1998, in Conroe, Texas. He grew up in and around the Conroe community and attended Oak Ridge High School, where he developed the foundation that would eventually lead him to college football. Conroe, located north of Houston, has produced a steady stream of football talent, and Stuard emerged as one of the most determined players from the area during his high school years.
Family responsibilities played a significant role in shaping his early years. Stuard helped care for his four siblings while growing up, as his mother battled a drug addiction and his father spent time in prison. Those experiences contributed to a strong sense of maturity and accountability that he has carried into every stage of his football career.
Path to American Football
Stuard joined the University of Houston program in 2017 and immediately began working toward a role on the field. As a freshman, he recorded two assisted tackles against Rice University and appeared in seven games before a torn meniscus cut his season short and forced him to miss four games and the 2017 Hawaii Bowl. The injury became an early test of his resolve and marked the start of a steady climb through the Cougars’ depth chart.
During his four seasons with the Houston Cougars, Stuard played primarily as a linebacker while also taking occasional snaps at fullback. He developed into one of the most productive defenders in the American Athletic Conference, eventually serving as a senior team captain in 2020. After his final college season, he chose to skip the 2020 New Mexico Bowl in order to focus on preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Grant Stuard Career
Early Career (2021)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose Stuard with the 259th and final pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, making him that year’s Mr. Irrelevant. He signed his four-year rookie contract with Tampa Bay on May 13, 2021, and immediately set out to prove that his draft position was not a reflection of his potential.
In his first professional season, Stuard played in all 17 regular-season games and contributed 15 total tackles along with a forced fumble. Although his role was largely limited to special teams and rotational defense, his reliability and work ethic helped him establish a foothold in the league from day one.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2022–2024)
On August 30, 2022, Stuard was traded along with a seventh-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a sixth-round pick. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to expand his role, and he became a regular presence on Indianapolis’s special-teams units over the next three seasons.
A major highlight came on December 3, 2023, when Stuard scored his first NFL touchdown on an 18-yard blocked punt return during the Colts’ 31-28 overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 13. He reached another milestone on October 20, 2024, making his first NFL start and posting a team-leading 19 tackles in a 16-10 win against the Miami Dolphins. In total, he started five games at linebacker for Indianapolis in 2024, finishing the season with 40 total tackles.
Detroit Lions Era (2025)
On March 13, 2025, Stuard signed with the Detroit Lions, continuing his career with another fresh start. Operating primarily on special teams, he produced 19 total tackles while also handling three kick returns for 72 total yards during his time with the organization.
His reliability on coverage units and his continued growth as a linebacker gave Detroit a dependable veteran presence. Stuard used the opportunity to reinforce the traits that have defined his career: effort, versatility, and a team-first approach.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2026–Present)
On March 16, 2026, Stuard signed a two-year, $4.45 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The deal reflected the value of his special-teams experience and his ability to contribute in a rotational role on defense.
With Los Angeles, Stuard joined a competitive roster looking to build on recent postseason success. His role with the Rams continues the pattern of steady, journeyman production that has characterized his professional path since 2021.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stuard is best known for his energy on special teams, his physicality as a run-support linebacker, and his preparation in the film room. His coverage speed and willingness to take on blockers make him a useful piece on kick and punt units, while his tackling fundamentals translate cleanly to defensive snaps when his number is called.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stuard’s most memorable professional moments include being named Mr. Irrelevant in 2021, scoring his first NFL touchdown on a blocked punt return in 2023, and posting a team-leading 19 tackles in his first NFL start against the Miami Dolphins in 2024. He also appeared in a humorous Uber Eats television advertisement during his rookie season that playfully referenced his draft status.
Grant Stuard Career Wins
While Grant Stuard is not a position player traditionally defined by win totals, his career has featured key team victories, milestone performances, and individual achievements. Across his stops with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Rams, he has contributed to winning efforts in both regular-season and overtime games.
Indianapolis Colts Highlights
Stuard’s most prominent individual milestones came in Indianapolis. His first NFL touchdown arrived in a 31-28 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans in December 2023, and he recorded 19 tackles in a 16-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins in October 2024, his first career start. He finished the 2024 season with five starts and 40 total tackles.
Other Wins and Performances
Stuard also earned conference recognition during his college career, including First-team All-AAC honors in 2020 and Second-team All-AAC recognition in 2019. In the NFL, he has recorded 92 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown through the 2025 season.
Grant Stuard Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Family responsibilities shaped Grant Stuard’s upbringing. As a young person, he helped care for his four siblings while his mother battled addiction and his father served time in prison. Those experiences fostered the resilience and discipline that have become central to his identity as a player.
Personal Life
Stuard is a United States citizen who was raised in Conroe, Texas. He attended Oak Ridge High School before continuing his football career at the University of Houston. He maintains an active presence on social media and has been featured in national advertising campaigns.
2025 Season Performance
Grant Stuard’s 2025 season with the Detroit Lions was defined primarily by his work on special teams. He appeared in regular-season action and contributed 19 total tackles, demonstrating the consistency that has become a hallmark of his professional career. He also logged three kick returns for 72 total yards, offering Detroit additional flexibility in the kicking game.
Although his defensive role in Detroit was limited, his reliability on coverage units made him a trusted option for the Lions’ special-teams coordinator. His veteran presence helped support a young core of linebackers, and he continued to show the kind of steady development that has marked each step of his NFL journey.
Stuard is scheduled to join the Los Angeles Rams beginning in 2026, where he is expected to bring experience and a proven special-teams résumé to a championship-caliber roster.