L.J. Collier Bio
Lawrence Edward “L. J.” Collier Jr. is an American professional football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 12, 1995, in Munday, Texas, 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. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 300 pounds, Collier has built his career on the defensive line, contributing as both a run stopper and pass rusher. He later signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 and has remained a rotational presence along their defensive front.
Early Life and Background
Lawrence Edward Collier Jr. was born on September 12, 1995, in Munday, Texas, a small community in the north-central part of the state. He grew up in his father’s hometown and attended Munday High School, where he developed into one of the most promising defensive players in the region. As a junior in 2012, Collier helped lead the Munday Moguls to a state championship and was named the Defensive MVP of the title game after recording six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
His performance on the high school stage drew attention from college recruiters across the region, and on February 5, 2014, he signed a letter of intent to attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, on a football scholarship. Coming from a small-town background, Collier entered the TCU program with a reputation for toughness and a drive to prove himself at a higher level of competition.
Path to American Football
Collier’s journey toward the NFL began with a redshirt season at Texas Christian University, where he used the time to adjust to the speed and physical demands of major college football. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, he became a starter despite appearing in only one game, signaling the coaching staff’s confidence in his development. By his sophomore year, he had established himself as a regular contributor along the defensive line.
During his sophomore campaign, Collier played in all 13 games and recorded 4.5 sacks, including a notable blocked field goal against Georgia in the 2016 Liberty Bowl. He matched that sack total as a junior, highlighted by a crucial late-game sack in TCU’s comeback victory over Stanford in the 2017 Alamo Bowl. As a senior in 2018, he finally earned a full-time starting role and responded with 6.0 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and four pass breakups, earning First-team All-Big 12 Conference honors. Following his senior season, he graduated from TCU and participated in the 2019 Senior Bowl, where he recorded a sack and a forced fumble to further boost his draft stock.
L.J. Collier Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Collier’s early career was shaped at Texas Christian University, where he spent five seasons developing from a redshirt into one of the Big 12 Conference’s most productive defensive linemen. His progression was steady, with each season bringing a larger role and more responsibility. The 2018 senior season served as his true breakthrough, as his 6.0 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss placed him among the conference leaders and earned him First-team All-Big 12 recognition.
His contributions were not limited to the regular season, as he finished his collegiate career with a sack in TCU’s Cheez-It Bowl victory over California. That performance, combined with a strong showing at the 2019 Senior Bowl, helped establish him as a first-round prospect heading into the 2019 NFL Draft.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2019–2022)
Collier was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, a selection acquired when Seattle traded Frank Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs. He entered the league with significant expectations as a first-round pick, but his rookie season was disrupted by multiple injuries that limited him to just three tackles across the year. The slow start gave him an early lesson in the physical demands of professional football.
In 2020, Collier opened the season as the starting defensive end following the departure of Jadeveon Clowney. He delivered one of the defining plays of his early career in Week 2, stopping New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton at the 1-yard line to seal a 35–30 Sunday Night Football victory. Later that season, he recorded his first career sack against Kirk Cousins in a Week 5 win over the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a second sack of Kyler Murray in a Week 11 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks ultimately declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, and injuries again disrupted his 2022 campaign, as he was placed on injured reserve before being activated in late October.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–Present)
On March 21, 2023, Collier signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. His first season in Arizona was shortened when he was placed on injured reserve in mid-September, limiting his on-field impact. Despite the setback, the Cardinals saw enough potential to retain him, and on March 8, 2024, he signed a one-year contract extension.
Collier responded in 2024 by playing in all 17 games with 15 starts, recording 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks while becoming a consistent presence along the Cardinals’ defensive line. On March 12, 2025, he re-signed with Arizona on a one-year, $4 million contract, reinforcing his role within the team’s defensive rotation. During the 2025 season, he suffered a knee injury in a Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers and was placed on injured reserve on September 17, before being activated on December 24 ahead of a Week 17 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Driving Style and Strengths
Collier is recognized for his physicality at the point of attack, using his 300-pound frame to anchor against the run while still offering the quickness needed to pressure the quarterback. His ability to play multiple spots along the defensive line has allowed him to remain a rotational fixture, and his work in critical short-yardage situations, such as his goal-line stop of Cam Newton, has highlighted his football intelligence and finishing toughness.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Collier’s career was his first-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft and his First-team All-Big 12 honor in 2018. His goal-line stand against the Patriots in 2020 stands as one of the signature plays of his early career, and his first career sack of Kirk Cousins later that same season marked another important milestone. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 72 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and seven pass deflections in his NFL career.
L.J. Collier Career Wins
While defensive linemen are not measured by traditional win totals, Collier’s career has been defined by team victories and individual statistical milestones across both college and professional football. From his high school state championship in 2012 to bowl victories with TCU and regular-season wins in the NFL, his career has featured several notable team successes. His first career sack, recorded against the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, remains one of the most celebrated individual achievements of his professional tenure.
NFL Highlights
Collier’s NFL highlights include a Week 2 goal-line stop of Cam Newton in 2020, his first career sack of Kirk Cousins in Week 5 of that same season, and a second sack of Kyler Murray in a Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals. In 2024, he set a personal best by playing all 17 games with 15 starts for the Arizona Cardinals. His 2025 campaign included a Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers before a knee injury placed him on injured reserve.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time at TCU, Collier was part of postseason victories in the 2016 Liberty Bowl, the 2017 Alamo Bowl, and the Cheez-It Bowl following the 2018 season. He also earned Defensive MVP honors in Munday’s 2012 state championship game as a high school junior, foreshadowing the productive career that followed.
L.J. Collier Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Collier grew up in Munday, Texas, the hometown of his father, where the close-knit community helped shape his early athletic development. His family’s ties to the small Texas town have remained an important part of his personal story throughout his football career.
Personal Life
Lawrence Edward Collier Jr. has continued to maintain ties to his Texas roots while building his professional career in the NFL. Public details about his immediate family remain limited, and he has largely kept his personal life out of the public spotlight while focusing on his role as a defensive end in the league.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a new chapter of stability for Collier with the Arizona Cardinals, following his March re-signing on a one-year, $4 million contract. He opened the year as part of the Cardinals’ defensive rotation and contributed to a Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers before a knee injury led to his placement on injured reserve on September 17. The Cardinals managed his recovery carefully throughout the fall, and he was activated on December 24 ahead of the team’s Week 17 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
His return in the final weeks of the regular season offered the Cardinals additional depth along the defensive line as they navigated the closing portion of their schedule. With 72 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and seven pass deflections accumulated across his career through the 2025 season, Collier continued to provide veteran experience and physicality to Arizona’s defensive front.
Looking ahead, Collier’s familiarity with the Cardinals’ defensive scheme and his proven ability to contribute in both run defense and pass-rush situations positioned him as a reliable rotational piece for the team’s future plans. His journey from a small-town Texas high school to a first-round NFL Draft pick reflects a career built on perseverance, and the 2025 season added another chapter to that ongoing story.