Chase Onassis Minnifield (born March 31, 1989) is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL). Despite being projected as a third or fourth round pick,[1] he was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football for the University of Virginia.

Chase Minnifield
refer to caption
Minnifield in a game against the UNC Tar Heels in 2009
No. 20
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1989-03-31) March 31, 1989 (age 35)
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Lexington (KY) Clay
College:Virginia
Undrafted:2012
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Minnifield attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky. He played defensive back, wide receiver, running back and quarterback. He also played on his high school basketball and baseball team.

College career

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Minnifield was redshirted in 2007. As a backup in 2008 and 2009, he had 53 tackles and four interceptions. During his first year as a starter in 2010, he had 48 tackles, six interceptions, and 0.5 sacks. Chase was ranked No. 2 in the ACC and No. 7 in the nation with six interceptions in the 2010 season and was selected as the "Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week" Honor on two separate occasions his junior year. Chase acted as Virginia's main kick/punt return specialist from 2008 to 2010. In 2011, he was used less-frequently as a more "sure-handed" punt returner and was not used more often because of the risk of injury that comes from returning punts and Chase's value to the team.

In twelve games of the 2011 season, Minnifield had 50 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and 1.5 sacks.[2] Chase's outstanding defense and senior leadership helped lead the Cavaliers to an 8–5 season and Virginia's first bowl game since 2007.

Professional career

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2012 NFL Combine

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10 in
(1.78 m)
183 lb
(83 kg)
31+12 in
(0.80 m)
9 in
(0.23 m)
4.63 s 1.53 s 2.64 s 32+12 in
(0.83 m)
9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
7 reps
Body measurements & bench from NFL Combine;[3] All other values from Virginia Pro Day

Washington Redskins

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Prior to the 2012 NFL draft, Minnifield was projected as third or fourth round pick. Although unselected, he was still viewed as one of the best undrafted rookies and received offers from five different NFL teams after the draft.[4] Minnifield, with encouragement from his father, signed with the Washington Redskins on April 29, 2012, as an undrafted free agent.[5] Still recovering from microfracture surgery, it was reported that he was placed on the physically unable to perform list before the start of training camp on July 18, 2012.[6] On July 24, 2012, Minnifield was waived-injured by the team after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.[7][8] Due to not being claimed off waivers, he officially went to the team's injured reserve list.[9]

The Redskins waived Minnifield on August 31, 2013, for final roster cuts before the start of 2013 season, but expressed interest in bringing back on their practice squad.[10] The next day he was signed to the team's practice squad.[11][12] On November 29, he was signed to the team's active roster.[13]

The Redskins waived him on August 30, 2014, for final roster cuts before the start of the 2014 season.[14] After clearing waivers, he was signed to the team's practice squad for the second time the following day.[15] He was promoted to the active roster on September 22 after the Redskins placed DeAngelo Hall on injured reserve.[16] After playing six games, the Redskins waived him on November 4 to make room for Leonard Hankerson on the active roster.[17] The Redskins re-signed him to their practice squad two days later.[18] He was promoted again to the active roster on November 26 after cornerback Tracy Porter was placed on injured reserve.[19] On December 6, the Redskins placed him on injured reserve due to lingering symptoms from the concussion he suffered in Week 13 loss against the Indianapolis Colts.[20] On December 16, the Redskins released Minnifield with an injury settlement.[21][22]

Personal life

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Minnifield is the son of Frank Minnifield, a former defensive back for the Cleveland Browns.[23]

References

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  1. ^ NFL Draft Scout
  2. ^ ESPN.com stats
  3. ^ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Chase Minnifield". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  4. ^ Tinsman, Brian (May 11, 2012). "Minnifield: 'I Have To Prove Myself Right Now.'". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  5. ^ Jones, Mike (April 29, 2012). "Redskins add 12 undrafted rookies". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  6. ^ Tandler, Rich (July 18, 2012). "Report: Minnifield, T. Davis to start camp on PUP". CSNWashington.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  7. ^ Tinsman, Brian (July 24, 2012). "Redskins Sign Jones, Waive Minnifield". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  8. ^ Boyer, Zac (January 12, 2013). "Like Robert Griffin III, Chase Minnifield Recovering From Second ACL Operation". Fredericksburg.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  9. ^ Russell, Chris (July 25, 2012). "RG III Speaks, We Listen & Redskins Roster Moves". Redskins.ESPN980.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  10. ^ Jones, Mike (August 31, 2013). "Redskins cuts: Tony Pashos, DeJon Gomes, Chase Minnifield among them". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  11. ^ Tandler, Rich (September 1, 2013). "Redskins announce eight-member practice squad". RealRedskins.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  12. ^ Jones, Mike (September 1, 2013). "Chase Minnifield, seven others signed to Redskins' practice squad". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  13. ^ Tinsman, Brian (November 29, 2013). "Cornerback Chase Minnifield Gets The Call". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  14. ^ Jones, Mike (August 30, 2014). "Phillip Thomas, Chase Minnifield among defensive players cut". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  15. ^ Keim, John (August 31, 2014). "Redskins sign eight to practice squad". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  16. ^ Walker, Andrew (September 22, 2014). "DeAngelo Hall Out For Year With Ruptured Achilles". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  17. ^ Jones, Mike (November 4, 2014). "Redskins activate Leonard Hankerson and cut Chase Minnifield". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  18. ^ Jones, Mike (November 6, 2014). "Redskins re-sign cornerback Chase Minnifield to practice squad". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  19. ^ Keim, John (November 26, 2014). "Tracy Porter to IR, Chase Minnifield promoted". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  20. ^ Jones, Mike (December 6, 2014). "Redskins place Minnifield on IR, call up DB Okoro from practice squad". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  21. ^ "Colt McCoy Placed on IR; LB Jackson Jeffcoat Signed From Practice Squad". HogsHaven.com. December 16, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  22. ^ Keim, John (December 23, 2014). "Redskins place Trent Murphy on injured reserve". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  23. ^ The meaning behind Chase Minnifield's name
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