Hjalte Froholdt Bio
Hjalte Froholdt (YEL-də FROH-holt; born August 20, 1996) is a Danish professional American football center for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft and played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Froholdt stands 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall and weighs around 310 lb (141 kg), a frame well-suited to the demands of interior offensive line play. Over his professional career he has appeared in 82 NFL games with 57 starts, building a reputation as a dependable and versatile lineman.
Early Life and Background
Hjalte Froholdt was born on August 20, 1996, in Svendborg, Denmark. He grew up in his home country and first encountered American football through the Svendborg Admirals, a club team based in his native town. The early years with the Admirals sparked the athletic foundation that would eventually carry him across the Atlantic.
As a teenager, Froholdt spent his sophomore year as an exchange student at Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio, where he had his first extended exposure to the American style of football. After returning to Denmark, he continued developing his game with the U-19 youth squad of the Søllerød Gold Diggers, one of Denmark’s premier football clubs.
To sharpen his skills before college, Froholdt enrolled at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his senior year. The decision to train at one of the country’s most recognized sports academies positioned him to attract major NCAA recruitment.
Path to American Football
Froholdt’s pathway to professional American football was gradual and unconventional. He moved from Danish club football to the U.S. high school scene, then to IMG Academy’s elite development environment, before committing to the University of Arkansas. The transition required him to adapt to a more physical, faster-paced style of play, but his size and athletic background helped him absorb the change.
At Arkansas, Froholdt was originally recruited by head coach Bret Bielema, who later joined the New England Patriots as defensive line coach in 2019. During his college career he earned Second-team All-SEC honors in 2018, a notable recognition that confirmed his standing among the conference’s top interior linemen.
Hjalte Froholdt Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Froholdt arrived at the University of Arkansas in 2015 and began his Razorbacks career as a defensive lineman. The following year he switched to the offensive line, playing 13 games at left guard in 2016. In 2017, he started another 12 games at left guard and did not allow a sack across the season, a stat that underscored his rapid development as a pass protector.
During the 2018 season, Froholdt played three games at center before shifting back to left guard, demonstrating the positional flexibility that would later define his professional profile. His Second-team All-SEC selection that year marked the peak of his college résumé.
New England Patriots Era (2019–2020)
Froholdt was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round, 118th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft, becoming only the second native of Denmark ever drafted by an NFL team after kicker Morten Andersen in 1982. The pick reflected New England’s interest in developing young linemen with athleticism and positional range.
His rookie season was disrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2019, following a shoulder injury sustained in Week 4 of the preseason against the New York Giants. After working toward a return, Froholdt was waived by the Patriots on November 21, 2020, ending his first NFL stop.
Houston Texans Era (2020–2021)
On November 23, 2020, just two days after his release, Froholdt was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans, giving him a quick second chance in the league. He was later placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in December 2020 and activated in January 2021.
His time in Houston ended when he was waived on August 31, 2021, though he was quickly re-signed to the Texans’ practice squad, keeping him within the organization.
Cleveland Browns Era (2021–2022)
On October 5, 2021, the Cleveland Browns signed Froholdt off the Houston Texans’ practice squad, adding interior line depth to their roster. He was waived on November 27 and later re-signed to the practice squad, then elevated to the active roster as a COVID-19 replacement player on December 24, 2021.
The Browns signed Froholdt to a reserve/futures contract on January 10, 2022, helping him secure a path back onto the active roster for the following season.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–Present)
On March 15, 2023, Froholdt signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, a move that marked a turning point in his career. He was named the team’s Week 1 starting center and started every game in 2023, locking down the role at the heart of the offensive line.
Building on that consistency, Froholdt signed a two-year extension with the Cardinals on August 21, 2024, cementing his long-term future in Arizona. Through the early portion of his Cardinals tenure he has started 57 of his 82 career NFL games, providing stability at center.
Driving Style and Strengths
Froholdt’s strengths lie in his combination of size, mobility, and positional versatility, having played guard and center at both the college and professional levels. His background as a former defensive lineman gives him an unusual feel for pass-rush leverage and tendencies, and his track record of not allowing a sack during the 2017 college season reflects a disciplined pass-blocking foundation.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable moments of Froholdt’s career was his 2019 NFL draft selection, which made him only the second Dane ever drafted by an NFL franchise. Earning Second-team All-SEC honors in 2018 and starting every game for the Cardinals in 2023 further cemented his standing as a reliable NFL starter.
Hjalte Froholdt Career Wins
Froholdt’s professional record is measured less in personal victories and more in steady starting contributions across four NFL franchises. Through the 2025 season he had played in 82 NFL games with 57 starts, with his Arizona Cardinals stint producing his longest run of consecutive starts.
Arizona Cardinals Highlights
Froholdt joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 and immediately became the Week 1 starting center, going on to start every game that season. His performance earned him a two-year extension in August 2024, signaling the franchise’s confidence in him as a building block along the offensive line.
Other Performances
Beyond Arizona, Froholdt’s stops in New England, Houston, and Cleveland helped him develop into a versatile reserve and rotational starter. His Second-team All-SEC selection in 2018 stands as the headline individual accolade of his career.
Hjalte Froholdt Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Froholdt grew up in Svendborg, Denmark, where his family supported his early athletic pursuits. His international journey, from Danish youth football to American high school football and ultimately the NFL, has been closely tied to the encouragement of his family background.
Personal Life
Hjalte Froholdt is married to his wife, Ashley. On August 23, 2023, the couple announced via Instagram that they had welcomed a baby girl named Lucia Loloma. The Froholdt family resides in the United States as he continues his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Hjalte Froholdt enters as the established starting center for the Arizona Cardinals after signing a two-year extension in August 2024. With 57 career starts already under his belt, he is expected to remain a fixture along the offensive line.
The Cardinals’ offensive identity continues to lean on consistent interior play, and Froholdt’s ability to play both guard and center provides valuable depth and flexibility. His familiarity with the team’s system from the 2023 and 2024 campaigns should help stabilize the offensive front.
As the season unfolds, Froholdt’s primary objectives are staying healthy, building chemistry with the Cardinals’ quarterbacks, and helping anchor a young offensive line. His progression from Danish club football to a multi-year NFL starter remains one of the more unique journeys in the league.
