Matt Judon was selected in the fifth round (146th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2016 NFL Draft. Following five seasons and two Pro Bowl appearances with the Ravens, Judon signed with the Patriots as a free agent as part of their offseason overhaul in the winter of 2021.
Get to know more about Judon, whom the Patriots themselves passed over five times in the 2016 draft before landing what has been a transformative piece of their defense:
Matt Judon's bio
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- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 261 pounds
- Birthdate: August 15, 1992
- Birthplace: Pontiac, Michigan
- College: Grand Valley State
- NFL experience: 6 years
- Jersey number: 9
Matt Judon's career stats
Here are some of Matt Judon's notable career achievements and statistics:
- Three-time Pro Bowl (2019, 2020, 2021)
- 2017 Week 11 AFC Defensive Player of the Week
- Career-high 12.5 sacks through 15 games for Patriots in 2021
- Career totals (through 2021 season)
- 47 sacks
- 68 tackles for loss
- 296 combined tackles
- Seven forced fumbles
- One safety
Here are Matt Judon's contract details with the Patriots
New England Patriots
Matt Judon signed a four-year, $54.5 million contract with the Patriots in March 2021.
Judon can become a free agent after the 2024 season at age 32.
Over six NFL seasons, Judon has earned more than $40 million.
Matt Judon's college career
Lightly recruited out of West Bloomfield (Mich.) High School, Judon played college football at Grand Valley State University, an NCAA Division II school in Allendale, Michigan.
He redshirted in 2010 as a freshman and again in 2013 after suffering a knee injury in his team's season opener, ultimately spending six years on campus in all.
As a senior in 2015, Judon won the Gene Upshaw Award, given annually to the best lineman in Division II when he recorded 20 sacks and three forced fumbles in 15 games. The Lakers, who won four national titles earlier in the 21st century, were a national semifinalist in 2015 with Judon.
Judon became the seventh player drafted out of Grand Valley State and 20th to play in at least one NFL game. However, he's the only GVSU alum to make a Pro Bowl, already up to three and counting.
Meet Matt Judon's family
One of 10 children, Judon wore No. 9 at Grand Valley State and again with the Patriots this season to honor his nine siblings.