L.J. Collier Bio
Lawrence Edward Collier Jr. is an American professional football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Following a successful college career, he has become a notable player in the NFL, contributing significantly to his teams.
Early Life and Background
Lawrence Edward Collier Jr. was born on September 12, 1995, in Munday, Texas. He grew up in his father’s hometown and attended Munday High School, where he played a pivotal role in leading the Moguls to a state championship as a junior in 2012. During that season, he recorded six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a touchdown on an interception return, earning Defensive MVP honors for the game. On February 5, 2014, he signed a letter of intent to attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, on a football scholarship.
Path to American Football
Collier redshirted during his first season with the Horned Frogs but became a starter as a redshirt freshman in 2015. He played in all 13 games for Texas Christian University as a sophomore, recording 4.5 sacks and blocking a field goal against Georgia in the 2016 Liberty Bowl. As a junior, he again recorded 4.5 sacks, including a crucial late-game sack in the Frogs’ comeback win over Stanford in the 2017 Alamo Bowl. In his senior year, Collier tallied 6.0 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and four pass break-ups, earning First-team All-Big 12 Conference honors. He concluded his collegiate career with a sack in TCU’s Cheez-It Bowl victory over California.
L.J. Collier Career
Early Career (2019-2022)
Collier was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round (29th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Seahawks traded Frank Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs to obtain the selection used for Collier. After suffering multiple injuries, he finished his rookie season with three tackles. In 2020, Collier started the season as the starting defensive end for the Seahawks after the departure of Jadeveon Clowney. He made a significant play by stopping New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton on the 1-yard line, securing a victory in Week 2. He recorded his first career sack against Kirk Cousins during a Week 5 win over the Minnesota Vikings. In Week 11, he recorded his second career sack against Kyler Murray during a Thursday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Breakthrough (2023-Present)
On March 21, 2023, Collier signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He was placed on injured reserve on September 16, 2023, but was activated on December 24, 2023. On March 8, 2024, he signed a one-year contract extension with the Cardinals, playing in all 17 games with 15 starts, recording 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks. On March 12, 2025, Collier re-signed with the Cardinals on a one-year, $4 million contract. He was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury suffered in the team’s Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers but was activated later in the season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Collier’s signature work includes his performance during his college career at Texas Christian University, where he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors. His NFL career has been marked by key plays, including his game-winning stop against Cam Newton and his contributions to the Arizona Cardinals.
L.J. Collier Award Nominations
Throughout his career, L.J. Collier has received recognition for his performance on the field, including his selection to the First-team All-Big 12 in 2018.
L.J. Collier Awards Won
While L.J. Collier has not accumulated a significant number of awards in the NFL, his collegiate achievements, particularly his First-team All-Big 12 selection, highlight his talent and potential.
L.J. Collier Family
Information regarding L.J. Collier’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about L.J. Collier’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly disclosed.