James Houston IV Bio
James Houston IV (born November 16, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He is listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 248 pounds and has built a reputation as a pass-rushing specialist since entering the league in 2022. Houston played college football for the Florida Gators before transferring to the Jackson State Tigers, and was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.
Known for his quick first step and relentless motor off the edge, Houston has produced 14.5 career sacks in his first three NFL seasons. After stops in Detroit and Cleveland, he joined Dallas in 2025 as he looks to expand his role on a contender.
Early Life and Background
James Houston IV was born on November 16, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and grew up in the same South Florida community. He attended the American Heritage School in nearby Plantation, Florida, where he developed into a three-star recruit at linebacker. Coming out of high school, Houston was regarded as a versatile defensive prospect capable of rushing the passer and playing in space.
Houston received scholarship offers from several major programs, including Wisconsin, South Carolina, Michigan, and Miami. He ultimately committed to the University of Florida, choosing the Gators over the rest of his offer sheet. His time in South Florida gave him an early foundation in speed-based football, an element that would later shape his pass-rushing style at the professional level.
Path to American Football
Houston began his college career at Florida, where he redshirted his true freshman season after being suspended along with eight other players due to his involvement in a credit card fraud scheme. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in all 13 of the Gators’ games as a reserve linebacker and recorded 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one blocked punt. He continued to develop in the SEC, posting 38 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks during his redshirt sophomore campaign.
As a redshirt junior, Houston logged 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble before entering the NCAA transfer portal. He transferred to Jackson State, where he became a dominant force in 2021. In his lone season with the Tigers, he racked up 70 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and an interception. He was named first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference and SWAC Newcomer of the Year, earning national recognition as one of the top pass rushers at the FCS level.
James Houston IV Career
Early Career (2022)
Houston was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round, 217th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. On August 30, 2022, he was waived by the Lions and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. After spending most of the early season on the practice squad, he was promoted to the active roster on November 28, 2022. His first extended opportunity came almost immediately, and he made the most of it in one of the league’s most high-profile games.
During a Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Houston recorded 2 sacks, 2 solo tackles, and a fumble recovery in just five defensive snaps. He followed that performance with a sack in each of his next three games, becoming only the third player in NFL history, alongside Terrell Suggs and Santana Dotson, to open his career with a four-game sack streak. The explosive finish to his rookie year established him as a rising pass-rushing talent.
Detroit Lions Era (2022-2024)
Houston’s strong finish to 2022 carried into the next season, though his year was cut short. On September 19, 2023, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a leg injury in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. He missed the majority of the 2023 campaign while recovering, limiting his opportunity to build on his rookie production.
On January 18, 2024, the Lions reinstated Houston to the active roster. He returned to the field for the 2024 season, but on November 26, 2024, Detroit released him as part of a series of roster moves. In total, Houston spent three seasons in the Lions organization, compiling the bulk of his 14.5 career sacks in a Detroit uniform.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024)
On November 27, 2024, just one day after being released by Detroit, Houston was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns. He joined a Browns defense in need of depth at edge rusher, giving him a fresh opportunity to contribute late in the season. His time in Cleveland was brief, as the team ultimately moved on at the conclusion of the campaign.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025-Present)
On July 22, 2025, Houston signed with the Dallas Cowboys, joining a defense looking to revamp its pass rush. The move gave him a clear opportunity to compete for a rotation role behind the team’s starting edge defenders. He arrived in Dallas as an established NFL pass rusher with multiple years of production on his resume.
Houston is currently listed on the Cowboys’ active roster wearing No. 41. Through his career, he has totaled 56 tackles, 14.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in the NFL, and he will look to add to those numbers in Dallas. He earned Black College Football Pro Player of the Year in 2026, recognition of his sustained professional impact after his standout Jackson State season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Houston is best known for his explosive first step and his ability to win off the edge with speed rather than power. He thrives on third-down passing situations, where he can pin his ears back and attack the quarterback. His quick-twitch burst and relentless effort make him a natural fit as a situational pass rusher, and his production in limited snaps in Detroit demonstrated how disruptive he can be when used in the right role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Houston’s signature early-career moment came on Thanksgiving Day 2022, when he posted two sacks and a fumble recovery against the Buffalo Bills in just five defensive snaps. He then extended his sack streak to four games to open his career, joining Terrell Suggs and Santana Dotson as the only players in NFL history to accomplish that feat. His 16.5-sack season at Jackson State in 2021 also stands as one of the most productive individual seasons in recent SWAC history.
James Houston IV Career Wins
Houston has notched a number of memorable individual victories throughout his football journey, most of which have come in the form of high-impact defensive performances rather than team championships. His defining wins are tied to specific games and seasons where his pass-rushing production set him apart from his peers at every level.
Detroit Lions Highlights
During his time in Detroit, Houston’s most celebrated stretch came at the end of the 2022 season, when he posted multiple sacks in four consecutive games. The sack streak began with his two-sack performance against the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving and continued through the following three contests. That run remains the foundation of his reputation as an NFL pass rusher.
Other Wins and Performances
Houston’s college career featured several standout performances, most notably his 2021 campaign at Jackson State. That year, he earned SWAC Newcomer of the Year and first-team All-SWAC honors while leading the Tigers with 16.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles. His dominant play in the SWAC paved the way for his NFL opportunity with the Detroit Lions in 2022.
James Houston IV Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about James Houston IV’s immediate family is limited, and detailed records about his parents and siblings are not widely documented. He grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended the American Heritage School in Plantation, where he began building the work ethic that has defined his career. As he has progressed through the NFL, he has kept his personal and family life largely out of the public eye.
Personal Life
Houston has not publicly shared extensive details about his personal relationships, including a spouse or children. He remains focused on his professional football career, currently based in the Dallas area after signing with the Cowboys in July 2025. His social media presence offers occasional glimpses into his training and team life, but he generally keeps his off-field life private.
2025 Season Performance
Houston joined the Dallas Cowboys in July 2025 and entered training camp competing for a spot in the team’s edge-rushing rotation. The move to Dallas gave him an opportunity to reset his career after a brief stop in Cleveland and an injury-interrupted 2023 campaign. Through the early portion of the 2025 season, he has remained on the active roster and has continued to serve as a situational pass rusher.
His production with the Cowboys is expected to build on the 14.5 career sacks and 56 total tackles he accumulated through his first three NFL seasons. Houston’s ability to win quickly off the ball makes him a logical third-down option for the Dallas defense. With the Cowboys pushing for a return to the postseason, his role as a specialist pass rusher could be a meaningful piece of their playoff push.
