Junior Colson Bio
Junior Colson is a Haitian-American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing around 247 pounds, he plays with the physical profile of a modern NFL linebacker. He rose to prominence as a starter at the University of Michigan before being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. Colson is recognized for his tackling range, football instincts, and leadership at the second level of the defense.
Beyond his play on the field, Colson is widely viewed as one of the more compelling personal stories in recent NFL circles. He emigrated from Haiti as a child and built his career through steady development at the high school and college levels. His journey from Mirebalais to the NFL reflects a rare combination of resilience, family support, and athletic talent.
Early Life and Background
Junior Colson was born on December 6, 2002, in Mirebalais, Haiti. He was raised during a turbulent period in the country’s history, including the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. His father died when Colson was seven years old, after which he was placed in an orphanage in Port-au-Prince operated by his uncle.
At age eight, Colson met Steve and Melanie Colson, who were visiting Haiti on a church mission after the earthquake. They began the process of adopting him, and after a lengthy immigration journey, he moved to Tennessee at age nine in May 2012. Colson has recalled that the first thing he saw in America was a Michigan hat, worn by family members who were already devoted Wolverines fans.
Colson grew up speaking Haitian Creole and learned English only after relocating to Tennessee. He played soccer as a youth in Haiti before switching to American football. He attended Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee, where he developed into a highly recruited linebacker prospect.
Path to American Football
At Ravenwood High School, Colson focused on linebacker and steadily built a reputation as a tough, instinctive defender. Recruiting analysts took notice, and he was rated as a four-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite rankings. He was ranked as a top-100 player nationally, the tenth overall linebacker, and the second-best player in the state of Tennessee in the 2021 class.
Colson first connected with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh at a football camp and earned a scholarship offer from the Wolverines. He chose Michigan over several other prominent programs, including LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Tennessee. That decision launched his path toward one of the most decorated stretches in recent Big Ten history.
Junior Colson Career
Early Career at Michigan (2021–2022)
Colson enrolled at the University of Michigan in 2021 and immediately contributed as a true freshman. He started seven games for the Wolverines and finished the season with 60 tackles, the fourth-highest total on the team. He earned his first career sack on November 13, 2021, in a 12-tackle performance against Penn State. His debut campaign ended with Freshman All-American recognition.
As a sophomore in 2022, Colson took on a larger role and started all 14 games for the Wolverines. He recorded a team-high 101 tackles along with two sacks, showing growth as a downhill defender. He was voted second-team All-Big Ten by the conference coaches, signaling his emergence as one of the conference’s most productive linebackers.
Michigan Breakthrough (2023)
Colson’s junior season in 2023 represented his most decorated year at the collegiate level. He started all 15 games and helped lead the Michigan Wolverines to a College Football Playoff national championship. He posted a team-high 95 tackles while anchoring the middle of one of the top defenses in college football.
That season, Colson was named second-team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and the media. He also won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, an award that recognizes excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. Across his three seasons at Michigan, he was part of three consecutive Big Ten Conference championships.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
Junior Colson was selected 69th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. Wearing number 25, he joined a defense looking to add youth and physicality at the linebacker position. He made 11 appearances with one start during his rookie season, recording 29 combined tackles and one pass deflection.
On August 26, 2025, Colson was placed on injured reserve after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. The injury interrupted his momentum heading into his second professional campaign but did not alter his long-term role with the franchise. He remains an active member of the Chargers roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Colson’s most defining moment came in 2023, when he helped Michigan capture a College Football Playoff national championship. The 2024 NFL draft represented another milestone, as he heard his name called in the third round by the Los Angeles Chargers. Winning the Lott IMPACT Trophy also highlighted his reputation as a complete player and leader.
Junior Colson Career Wins
Junior Colson’s career wins are anchored by his college résumé at Michigan. He was part of three consecutive Big Ten Conference championships and a College Football Playoff national title in 2023. Individually, he earned Freshman All-American honors in 2021, two second-team All-Big Ten selections in 2022 and 2023, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2023.
College Highlights
Colson’s first major win came during his freshman season at Michigan, where his play helped lay the foundation for sustained team success. As a sophomore, he recorded 15 tackles in the Big Ten Championship Game victory over Purdue, one of the most productive performances of his college career. His junior year closed with the program’s national championship, cementing his place among Michigan’s recent defensive standouts.
Junior Colson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Junior Colson was born in Mirebalais, Haiti, and spent his early childhood in Port-au-Prince after the loss of his father. He was adopted at age nine by Steve and Melanie Colson, whom he met through a church mission following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He moved to Tennessee and was raised in Brentwood, where he finished high school at Ravenwood.
Public personal details about Colson’s relationships, marital status, or children are not clearly established in verified sources. He resides in Brentwood, Tennessee, and maintains a close connection to his adoptive family, which has supported his football journey from high school through the NFL.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 season was expected to mark a meaningful step forward in Junior Colson’s development with the Los Angeles Chargers. Coming off a rookie year in which he appeared in 11 games and posted 29 combined tackles, he was positioned to compete for a larger defensive role. The Chargers viewed him as a young linebacker with starting upside.
Those plans were altered on August 26, 2025, when Colson was placed on injured reserve following season-ending shoulder surgery. The recovery timeline will shape how the Chargers integrate him back into their defensive rotation once he is cleared to return.
Looking beyond the injury, Colson’s long-term outlook remains encouraging. His combination of college production, leadership credentials, and physical tools gives him a clear development path. If he returns healthy, he is expected to push for a starting role and become a more visible contributor for the Los Angeles Chargers defense.