Daijahn Anthony

Daijahn Anthony
No. 33 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (2000-09-09) September 9, 2000 (age 24)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Henrico (Henrico County, Virginia)
College:Shepherd (2019–2020)
Liberty (2021–2022)
Ole Miss (2023)
NFL draft:2024 / round: 7 / pick: 224
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2024
Total tackles:1
Pass deflections:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Daijahn Nyckell Anthony (born September 9, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Shepherd Rams, Liberty Flames, and Ole Miss Rebels.

Early life

Anthony attended Henrico High School and committed to play college football for the Shepherd Rams.[1]

College career

As a freshman at Shepherd in 2019, Anthony played in ten games with five starts where he notched 14 tackles, three pass deflections, and two interceptions. In the 2020 season, Shepherd University cancelled its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in Anthony not playing.[2] After the conclusion of the 2020 season, Anthony entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[3]

Anthony transferred to play for the Liberty Flames.[4] In week nine of the 2022 season, Anthony recorded an interception off of quarterback KJ Jefferson, as he helped the Flames upset Arkansas.[5] During Anthony's two year career with Liberty in 2021 and 2022 he appeared in 21 games where he notched 41 tackles with one and a half going for a loss, six pass deflections, and three interceptions.[6] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Anthony again decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal for the second time in his career.[7]

Anthony transferred to play for the Ole Miss Rebels.[8][9] In week two of the 2023 season, Anthony was graded as one of PFF's highest graded safeties, finishing with two tackles and two pass deflections in a win over Tulane.[10] Anthony finished the 2023 season making 61 tackles, eight pass deflections, three interceptions, and a forced fumble.[11] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Anthony declared for the 2024 NFL draft.[12][13] Anthony was also invited to participate in the 2024 NFL Combine.[14]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m) 		195 lb
(88 kg) 		32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 4.55 s 1.51 s 2.65 s 4.19 s 6.89 s 37.0 in
(0.94 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 10 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[15][16]

Anthony was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 224th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, a selection that was traded to them by the Houston Texans for Joe Mixon.[17]

In Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bengals were leading 25–23 with 48 seconds remaining on a crucial 4th-and-16. Anthony was covering Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice when he made contact prior to the catch, resulting in a pass interference call allowing the Chiefs to kick a walk-off game winning field goal as time expired to win 26–25.[18]

References

  1. ^ Macon Gillespie, John (September 19, 2023). "'Let's Rock Out!' Daijahn Anthony Ready For Rebels' Trip to Tuscaloosa". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  2. ^ Herring-Olvedo, Lee Ann (May 3, 2023). "Ole Miss adds Liberty transfer DB Daijahn Anthony". The Rebel Walk. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  3. ^ Eckert, David (October 19, 2023). "Daijahn Anthony got to Ole Miss football empowered by Pair's support". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  4. ^ Gora, Kevin (January 9, 2021). "DB DAIJAHN ANTHONY LOOKS TO BE TRANSFERRING TO LIBERTY FROM SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY". A Sea of Red. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Macon Gillespie, John (May 4, 2023). "Rebels Land Liberty Cornerback Transfer Daijahn Anthony". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  6. ^ Bricker, Grant (May 4, 2023). "Liberty DB transfer with multiple years of experience pledges to SEC school". Saturday Down South. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  7. ^ Garrett, Ben (May 2, 2023). "Liberty transfer defensive back Daijahn Anthony is visiting Ole Miss". On3.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  8. ^ Eckert, David (September 30, 2023). "See Ole Miss football's Daijahn Anthony level LSU's Jayden Daniels, force fumble". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Rounsaville, Chuck (November 15, 2023). "Ole Miss S Daijahn Anthony says the Rebels have mentally rebounded from Georgia loss". On3.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  10. ^ King, Ben (September 13, 2023). "Ole Miss DB Daijahn Anthony Among Highest-Graded Safeties in Week 2". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  11. ^ Garrett, Ben (March 2, 2024). "LOOK: Ole Miss DBs Prince and Anthony take their turns at the NFL Scouting Combine". On3.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  12. ^ Eckert, David (April 17, 2024). "What are the best-case NFL draft scenarios for Ole Miss' top 4 prospects? We break it down". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  13. ^ Macon Gillespie, John (March 28, 2024). "Ole Miss Rebels Safety Daijahn Anthony's 'Dream Coming True' With NFL Draft Process". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  14. ^ King, Ben (March 2024). "Former Ole Miss Rebels Deantre Prince, Daijahn Anthony Blaze Through 2024 NFL Combine". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  15. ^ "Daijahn Anthony Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "Daijahn Anthony College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  17. ^ Marcum, Jason (April 27, 2024). "Daijahn Anthony to Bengals in Round 7". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  18. ^ WKRC (September 20, 2024). "Rookie's heartbreak and hope: Bengals' Daijahn Anthony vows to overcome costly error". WKRC. Retrieved October 19, 2024.