Julian Blackmon Bio
Julian Blackmon (born August 24, 1998) is an American professional football safety for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 202 pounds, he plays the defensive back position with a combination of range and instincts developed over years of competitive football. Blackmon gained national recognition during his college career at the University of Utah before being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is widely regarded as a versatile defender capable of lining up at free safety, strong safety, or in the slot.
Early Life and Background
Julian Blackmon was born on August 24, 1998, in Layton, Utah, where he spent his childhood and formative years. He grew up in a community with a strong football culture and attended Layton High School, the same school that produced several notable athletes. Blackmon developed his athletic foundation by playing both cornerback and wide receiver in high school, giving him a two-sided understanding of the passing game that would later influence his defensive style. He was rated as a 3-star recruit and demonstrated his versatility by also playing basketball, which sharpened his footwork, body control, and competitive instincts.
Coming out of high school, Blackmon received scholarship offers from Idaho, Southern Utah, and Weber State, but ultimately chose to remain in his home state and committed to the University of Utah. His decision to stay close to home allowed him to continue developing in a familiar environment while representing his home region on a larger stage. That foundation set the stage for his eventual rise as one of the most versatile defensive backs in the Pac-12 Conference.
Path to American Football
Blackmon’s progression from a multi-sport high school athlete into a top-tier college defender began when he arrived at the University of Utah in 2016. He spent his first three seasons with the Utah Utes playing cornerback, learning how to track receivers, disrupt routes, and contest the ball in man coverage. His experience on offense at Layton High School gave him unique insight into receiver releases, which became a clear advantage at the collegiate level.
Prior to his senior season in 2019, the Utah coaching staff made the decision to move Blackmon to safety, believing his combination of range, ball skills, and football intelligence would translate to a deeper defensive role. The position change proved to be a turning point, as he quickly adapted to the responsibilities of the safety position. In 2018, he earned Second-team All-Pac-12 honors, validating the staff’s decision and establishing himself as one of the conference’s premier defensive backs heading into his final college season.
Julian Blackmon Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Julian Blackmon played at the University of Utah from 2016 to 2019, beginning his career as a cornerback before transitioning to safety for his senior campaign. As a sophomore in 2017, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 Heart of Dallas Bowl, a recognition that highlighted his growing impact on big stages. His development through the 2018 season brought All-Pac-12 recognition and put him on the radar of NFL scouts evaluating versatile defensive backs.
As a senior in 2019, Blackmon earned first-team All-American honors from Sports Illustrated and The Athletic after a dominant season at safety. He finished his college career having started 39 of 48 games, recording 158 tackles, nine interceptions, 1.5 sacks, and two touchdowns. Those numbers, combined with his unique positional background, made him one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft class.
NFL Breakthrough (2020–2021)
The Indianapolis Colts selected Julian Blackmon in the third round with the 85th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, making him the eighth safety off the board. He signed a four-year, $4.62 million contract with the team and immediately faced an early challenge when he was placed on the non-football injury list while still recovering from a torn ACL. Blackmon made his professional regular-season debut on September 20, 2020, against the Minnesota Vikings, recording two solo tackles and two pass deflections. When starter Malik Hooker suffered a torn Achilles during that same game, Blackmon was elevated into the starting free safety role.
His first career interception came on October 4, 2020, when he picked off a pass from Nick Foles during a win over the Chicago Bears. He added a game-sealing interception against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6, and his forced fumble against the Green Bay Packers in November helped set up a game-winning field goal. Blackmon finished his rookie season with 42 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and one interception in 15 games and 14 starts. In 2021, he was named the starting free safety but suffered a torn Achilles in October, ending his season after only six games.
Colts Return and Growth (2022–2024)
Blackmon returned healthy in 2022 and recorded the first sack of his career against Mac Jones and the New England Patriots. Later that season, he returned an interception 17 yards for a touchdown against Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings, marking the first defensive touchdown of his career. He finished the 2022 campaign with 50 combined tackles, one sack, one interception, and a touchdown in 14 games and 11 starts.
The 2023 season proved to be his most productive year, as Blackmon recorded a career-high 88 combined tackles, a team-high eight passes defensed, a career-high four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He earned an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 68.3, ranking 38th among 95 qualifying safeties. In 2024, he signed a one-year, $3.70 million contract extension and started all 16 games, finishing with 86 combined tackles, three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and half a sack.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025–Present)
On July 23, 2025, Julian Blackmon signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, ending his five-year tenure with the Indianapolis Colts. He was named a starting safety heading into Week 1 of the 2025 season, bringing experience and leadership to a retooled New Orleans secondary. Unfortunately, Blackmon suffered a torn labrum during the season opener and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
On January 20, 2026, Blackmon signed a one-year contract extension with the New Orleans Saints, signaling the team’s confidence in his long-term role. His veteran presence and positional flexibility remain valuable assets as he works back from injury for the 2026 campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Julian Blackmon is best known for his range, ball skills, and positional versatility at the back end of the defense. His background as a college cornerback gives him the footwork and route-recognition ability to cover slot receivers and tight ends in man coverage. At safety, he shows strong instincts in zone coverage, reads quarterbacks’ eyes effectively, and has the closing speed to contest throws. His willingness to support the run and contribute in tackling situations has also made him a complete defensive back.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Julian Blackmon’s most memorable career moments are his 2017 Heart of Dallas Bowl MVP performance, his first career interception off Nick Foles in 2020, and his pick-six against Kirk Cousins in 2022. He set a career high with 13 combined tackles in the 2024 season opener against the Houston Texans and recorded a career-high four interceptions during the 2023 season. Across his NFL career through the 2024 season, Blackmon has accumulated 307 total tackles, 10 interceptions, 1.5 sacks, 22 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown.
Julian Blackmon Career Wins
While individual statistics define much of Julian Blackmon’s professional resume, his impact is also measured by key team victories and clutch defensive plays. From his first career interception against the Chicago Bears to his game-sealing picks against Cincinnati, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh, Blackmon has consistently delivered in high-pressure moments. His career trajectory reflects steady growth from a third-round rookie recovering from injury into a dependable starting safety in the NFL.
NFL Highlights
Julian Blackmon’s most notable NFL highlights include his first career interception against the Chicago Bears in 2020, his interception return for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, and his four-interception 2023 season. He also recorded his first career sack against Mac Jones in 2022 and posted a career-high 13 tackles in the 2024 opener against the Houston Texans. Across his first five NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, he totaled 307 combined tackles, 10 interceptions, and 22 pass deflections in 66 games.
Other Performances
In addition to his NFL accomplishments, Julian Blackmon was named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and The Athletic in 2019. He also earned Second-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2018 and was named MVP of the 2017 Heart of Dallas Bowl. His college career totals included 158 tackles, nine interceptions, 1.5 sacks, and two touchdowns across 48 games at the University of Utah.
Julian Blackmon Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Julian Blackmon was raised in Layton, Utah, and has deep roots in his home community. He attended Layton High School, where he developed his athletic foundation in football and basketball.
Personal Life
Julian Blackmon announced his engagement to his girlfriend Tyra Gilmore in February 2024. The couple married on July 12, 2024, beginning a new chapter in his personal life as he continued his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Julian Blackmon’s 2025 season was brief but significant. After signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints on July 23, 2025, he was named a starting safety heading into the regular season. His veteran experience and versatility were expected to anchor the Saints’ secondary alongside a young defensive core.
Unfortunately, Blackmon suffered a torn labrum during the Week 1 season opener, forcing the Saints to place him on season-ending injured reserve. The injury cut short what was anticipated to be a productive debut campaign in New Orleans and forced the team to lean on younger players in his absence.
Despite the early setback, the New Orleans Saints signed Blackmon to a one-year contract extension on January 20, 2026, signaling their long-term confidence in his recovery and his role within the defense. With a full offseason to rehab and prepare, Blackmon is expected to return to his starting role and provide leadership, range, and playmaking ability for the 2026 NFL season.