Tae Crowder Bio
Dequartavous “Tae” Crowder (born March 12, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 236 pounds, he plays the inside linebacker position with a physical, downhill style. Crowder first drew national attention as Mr. Irrelevant of the 2020 NFL Draft and has since built a steady professional career across multiple teams before landing in the spring football league.
Born and raised in Pine Mountain, Georgia, Crowder developed his game at Harris County High School before becoming a multi-year contributor at the University of Georgia. Across his professional journey, he has appeared for the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tennessee Titans in addition to his current stint with the Birmingham Stallions.
Early Life and Background
Tae Crowder was born on March 12, 1997, in Pine Mountain, Georgia. He grew up in the small west Georgia community, where high school football serves as a central gathering point for local families. Crowder attended Harris County High School in nearby Hamilton, Georgia, where he developed into a versatile athlete capable of playing on both sides of the ball.
At Harris County, Crowder lined up primarily as a running back, a position that helped him build the strength, vision, and contact balance he would later lean on as a linebacker. His production caught the attention of college recruiters, and he ultimately committed to the University of Georgia to play in the Southeastern Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in college football.
Path to American Football
Crowder arrived at the University of Georgia in 2015 and redshirted his freshman season, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game. In 2016, the Georgia coaching staff moved him from running back to inside linebacker, a position change that would define his career.
The switch paid off quickly. In 2017, Crowder carved out an important role on special teams, helping the Bulldogs reach the College Football Playoff National Championship Game before a loss to Alabama. Between 2018 and 2019, he recorded 48 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, and was named one of 12 finalists for the Butkus Award, which honors the nation’s top linebacker. He also produced a career-high 12 tackles in a game against South Carolina. By the end of his Georgia career, Crowder had totaled 115 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, and 1.5 sacks.
Tae Crowder Career
Early Career (2020)
Crowder was selected by the New York Giants with the 255th and final pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, a distinction that earned him the title of Mr. Irrelevant. He was reunited in the pros with Kevin Sherrer, his former inside linebackers coach at Georgia, who had joined the Giants staff. The Giants placed Crowder on the active/non-football injury list at the start of training camp in late July 2020, but activated him in mid-August.
His rookie year featured a mix of setbacks and breakthrough moments. Crowder missed Week 1 with a hamstring injury, but in Week 6 against the Washington Football Team, he recovered a fumble forced by Kyler Fackrell on quarterback Kyle Allen and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown in a 20-19 win. Later, in Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded his first career sack on Russell Wilson during a 17-12 victory, cementing his presence on the Giants defense.
New York Giants Breakthrough (2021-2022)
In his second NFL season, Crowder stepped into a starting role and became a steady presence in the middle of the Giants defense. In Week 12 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded his first career interception off quarterback Jalen Hurts during a 13-7 victory. Crowder went on to start all 17 games that year, finishing with a career-high 130 tackles to lead the team, along with 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble.
The 2022 season brought new challenges. After the release of veteran linebacker Blake Martinez just before the season opener, Crowder was left as the top option at inside linebacker. He opened the year with 7 tackles against the Tennessee Titans, including a hard hit on star running back Derrick Henry. He started the first eight games and posted 43 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble before being waived on December 20, 2022. The Giants re-signed him to the practice squad two days later, and on December 27, 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers added him to their active roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tennessee Titans (2022-2023)
Crowder’s time in Pittsburgh was brief, as he was released on May 22, 2023, during the offseason. On August 22, 2023, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, but was waived as part of final roster cuts one week later. Later that year, on December 26, 2023, the Tennessee Titans signed him to their practice squad, where he finished the season.
Because the Titans did not sign Crowder to a reserve or future contract, he became a free agent when his contract expired at the end of the 2023 season. The stretch reinforced his journeyman reputation, but it also kept him active and ready for the next opportunity.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2025-Present)
On January 17, 2025, Crowder signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League, joining one of the most successful franchises in spring football. The move gave him a chance to take on a featured role in a familiar defensive scheme. In 2026, he was named to the All-UFL Team and finished the year as the UFL’s tackles leader, validating the Stallions’ investment in his experience.
Driving Style and Strengths
Crowder plays a physical, downhill style that suits him best in tight spaces between the tackles. His background as a college running back gives him strong contact balance and the ability to sift through traffic to find ball carriers. He pairs that skill set with reliable open-field tackling, awareness in zone coverage, and the versatility to contribute on special teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Being named Mr. Irrelevant of the 2020 NFL Draft remains one of the defining storylines of Crowder’s career, and he answered that label with a 130-tackle season in 2021. His 43-yard fumble return touchdown as a rookie and his first career sack off Russell Wilson stand out as signature early moments, while his All-UFL selection and tackles title with the Birmingham Stallions in 2026 mark a strong new chapter.
Tae Crowder Career Wins
While linebacker statistics are tracked differently from quarterback wins, Crowder has built a résumé defined by steady production and team success. Across his NFL stops, he has accumulated 232 total tackles, 2 sacks, 8 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 defensive touchdown.
New York Giants Highlights
With the Giants, Crowder reached his statistical peak in 2021, leading the team with 130 tackles while starting all 17 games and adding 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. He recorded his first career interception off Jalen Hurts and helped the Giants to multiple tight victories down the stretch.
Other Performances
Beyond New York, Crowder contributed on special teams and in rotational defensive roles for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tennessee Titans. His 2026 All-UFL Team selection and UFL tackles title with the Birmingham Stallions reflect his continued impact at the professional level.
| Team | Years | Notable Production |
|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | 2020-2022 | 232 career tackles, 2 INTs, 1 defensive touchdown |
| Birmingham Stallions | 2025-present | All-UFL Team, UFL tackles leader |
Tae Crowder Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Crowder was raised in Pine Mountain, Georgia, and his upbringing was rooted in the local football culture of Harris County. Specific details about his parents and immediate family have not been widely confirmed in public sources.
Personal Life
Public information about Crowder’s personal life remains limited. He has not publicly confirmed a spouse or children, and he tends to keep his off-field life private while focusing on his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Crowder’s 2025 season with the Birmingham Stallions marked a successful return to a featured defensive role in the UFL. The veteran linebacker provided leadership in the middle of the field and served as a reliable tackler for one of the league’s most consistent programs.
His performance was strong enough to earn All-UFL Team honors and the UFL tackles leader designation in 2026, a reflection of his consistency and durability across the season. The Stallions leaned on his experience in key moments, and his veteran presence helped stabilize the linebacker room.
Looking ahead, Crowder’s combination of production, leadership, and familiarity with the Birmingham defensive system positions him well for continued success in the UFL. His journey from Mr. Irrelevant to an All-UFL defender remains one of the more compelling career arcs in professional football.
