Tanner Muse Bio
Tanner Muse (born September 6, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker who has spent time with multiple National Football League franchises. He played college football at Clemson, where he developed into one of the top defensive backs in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Muse was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has since worked to carve out a role on special teams and defense.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 227 pounds, Muse is known for his versatility, range, and willingness to contribute across multiple units. After his college career at Clemson, he has continued to add experience with several teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Early Life and Background
Tanner Muse was born on September 6, 1996, in Belmont, North Carolina, a small city just west of Charlotte. He grew up in Belmont and attended South Point High School, where he emerged as a multi-sport athlete. In addition to playing center field on the baseball team, Muse played running back, safety, and long snapper for the football squad, demonstrating early the versatility that would later define his professional career.
As a senior at South Point, Muse was named first team All-State after a dominant season on both sides of the ball. On defense, he recorded 150 tackles and four interceptions, while also rushing for 1,292 yards as a running back. Rated a four-star recruit, Muse chose to play both football and baseball at Clemson over scholarship offers from Michigan, Louisville, and Northwestern. His combination of athleticism and football instincts made him one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in his recruiting class.
Path to American Football
Muse arrived at Clemson in 2015 and immediately began laying the groundwork for a long-term role on defense. He redshirted his true-freshman season and chose to forgo baseball in order to participate fully in the Tigers’ spring practices. That decision proved formative, as it gave him an early grasp of the program’s defensive scheme and culture.
The following season, Muse played in all 15 of Clemson’s games as a reserve safety and on special teams, making 24 total tackles while helping the Tigers win the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship. He earned a starting role as a redshirt sophomore and posted 64 tackles, two tackles for loss, four passes broken up, and a 63-yard fumble return for a touchdown. By his redshirt junior season, he was a reliable starter in the secondary, recording 76 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, two sacks, and two interceptions as Clemson captured a second national title in 2018. His steady development turned him into a respected presence in the Tigers’ defensive backfield.
Tanner Muse Career
Early Career (2019)
As a redshirt senior, Muse delivered one of the most complete seasons of his college career. He recorded 73 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, five passes broken up, and a team-leading four interceptions, earning first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors and third-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press. His playmaking ability in coverage and against the run made him a priority target for NFL scouts.
Following the 2019 season, Muse declared for the 2020 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round with the 100th overall pick, becoming one of the highest-drafted players from that Clemson defensive class. The Raiders viewed him as a versatile athlete capable of contributing on defense and special teams.
Las Vegas Raiders (2020–2021)
Muse’s transition to the NFL proved difficult from the start. He was placed on injured reserve on September 7, 2020, with a foot injury before he could establish himself in the Raiders’ defense. On November 3, 2020, he underwent season-ending surgery on his toe, and the team later placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list in December before moving him back to injured reserve. As a result, he did not appear in a regular-season game during his time in Las Vegas.
On September 6, 2021, Muse was waived by the Raiders without ever taking a snap for the team in the regular season. The release opened the door for him to pursue a fresh opportunity elsewhere in the league.
Seattle Seahawks (2021–2022)
Two days after being waived by the Raiders, Muse signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on September 8, 2021. He remained there for several weeks before being promoted to the active roster on December 15, 2021, giving him his first regular-season opportunity in the NFL. His work on special teams helped him stick with the club through the remainder of that season.
Muse returned to Seattle in 2022 but was waived on August 30 before being signed back to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster again on September 14 and continued to focus on special teams duties, building the resume he would need to remain in the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers (2023)
On April 17, 2023, Muse signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in search of a larger defensive role. However, he was waived by the Steelers on August 28, 2023, before the start of the regular season. Two days later, on August 30, 2023, he was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers, giving him a new opportunity in the AFC West.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2024)
On July 30, 2024, Muse signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joining a defensive group looking to add experienced depth at linebacker and on special teams. He was released on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad in an effort to remain in the organization. Muse was later released by Jacksonville on November 5, 2024, concluding his time with the franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
At the NFL level, Muse has built his reputation on special teams reliability, positional flexibility, and high football IQ. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 227 pounds, he has the size to play inside linebacker while also offering coverage skills developed during his safety days at Clemson. Coaches have valued his willingness to embrace hybrid roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Muse’s most notable achievements came during his time at Clemson, where he was part of two College Football Playoff National Championship teams in 2016 and 2018. He earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors and third-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press in 2019. Being selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft also stands as a defining milestone in his football journey.
Tanner Muse Career Wins
Tanner Muse’s most prominent victories came at the collegiate level, where he helped Clemson win two College Football Playoff National Championships in 2016 and 2018. In the NFL, he has not yet established himself as a regular starter, but his continued movement between practice squads and active rosters reflects perseverance within a highly competitive league.
College Highlights
During his time at Clemson, Muse developed into one of the most consistent defensive players in the Atlantic Coast Conference. As a redshirt senior in 2019, he recorded four interceptions to lead the team, earning first-team All-ACC and third-team All-American honors. His two national championship rings from 2016 and 2018 remain the crowning achievements of his playing career to date.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond Clemson’s national titles, Muse was a first-team All-State selection as a senior at South Point High School in Belmont, North Carolina, a clear sign of his long-standing production on the field. His progression from a four-star recruit to a third-round NFL Draft pick underscores a steady climb marked by individual recognition and team success.
Tanner Muse Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tanner Muse comes from a football family. His younger brother, Nick Muse, played tight end at South Carolina and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The brothers share a strong athletic background, and Nick’s path to the professional level mirrors Tanner’s own journey through high-level college football.
Personal Life
Public details about Tanner Muse’s personal life remain limited. He was born and raised in Belmont, North Carolina, and has continued to share updates about his career through social media platforms such as X and Instagram. Beyond his close relationship with his brother Nick, additional personal information is not widely available.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Tanner Muse is once again working to secure a roster spot in the NFL after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars in November 2024. As a veteran linebacker with experience on special teams, he is expected to pursue opportunities through free agency and training camp invitations. His mix of coverage ability, tackling, and special teams value should make him a candidate for teams seeking depth at the position.
Muse’s professional trajectory through Las Vegas, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and Jacksonville has shown a pattern of resilience. Each time he has been released, he has found another opportunity, suggesting that his 2025 outlook will depend on staying healthy and performing well in preseason competition. A return to a practice squad or active roster role remains a realistic goal for the upcoming year.
Ultimately, the 2025 season represents another chance for Muse to extend his NFL career and continue building on the foundation he established at Clemson. With his proven track record on special teams and a third-round draft pedigree, he has the tools to remain in the league if the right opportunity arises.