Javon Kinlaw (born 3 October 1997) is a Trinidadian professional American football defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Javon Kinlaw
refer to caption
Kinlaw with South Carolina in 2019
No. 54 – New York Jets
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1997-10-03) 3 October 1997 (age 27)
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:319 lb (145 kg)
Career information
High school:Goose Creek (Goose Creek, South Carolina)
College:
NFL draft:2020 / round: 1 / pick: 14
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:70
Sacks:5.0
Pass deflections:7
Interceptions:1
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Kinlaw spent part of his childhood homeless in Washington, D.C. after immigrating from Trinidad and Tobago with his mother and two siblings.[1][2] He attended Goose Creek High School in Goose Creek, South Carolina.[3]

College career

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Kinlaw played one year at Jones County Junior College in 2016 before transferring to the University of South Carolina.[4] In his first year at South Carolina in 2017, he played in all 13 games with 10 starts and had 20 tackles.[5] In 2018, he started all 12 games and had 38 tackles and 4.5 sacks.[6] Kinlaw returned to South Carolina for his senior season in 2019.[7][8]

College statistics

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Year Team Class GP Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int PD FF FR
2017 South Carolina SO 7 12 5 17 2.0 0.0 0 1 1 2
2018 South Carolina JR 10 15 15 30 9.0 4.0 0 5 2 0
2019 South Carolina SR 12 15 20 35 6.0 6.0 0 2 0 2
Career 29 42 40 82 17.0 10.0 0 8 3 4

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 5+18 in
(1.96 m)
324 lb
(147 kg)
34+78 in
(0.89 m)
10+12 in
(0.27 m)
All values from NFL Combine[9][10]

San Francisco 49ers

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Kinlaw was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 14th overall pick.[11] The 14th overall pick was acquired originally from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 49ers traded down with the first round pick (13th overall) they originally acquired in the DeForest Buckner trade.[12] He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on 26 June 2020,[13] worth a fully guaranteed $15.48 million, including an $8.8 million signing bonus.[14]

During Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints, Kinlaw recorded his first career sack on quarterback Taysom Hill during the 27–13 loss.[15] Kinlaw was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on 18 November 2020,[16] and activated on 27 November.[17] In Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams, Kinlaw intercepted a pass thrown by Jared Goff and returned it for a 27-yard touchdown during the 23–20 win. This was his first career interception and touchdown.[18] Kinlaw was named Pepsi Rookie of the Week for his performance against the Rams.[19] As a rookie, Kinlaw appeared in 14 games and started 12. He recorded 1.5 sacks, 33 total tackles, one interception, and four passes defended.[20] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[21]

On 30 October 2021, Kinlaw was placed on injured reserve.[22] He played in four games on the 2021 season.[23]

On 15 October 2022, Kinlaw was placed on injured reserve.[24] He was activated on 23 December.[25] He started in all six of his regular season appearances and the 49ers' three postseason games.[26]

On 29 April 2023, the 49ers declined the fifth-year option of Kinlaw's rookie contract, making him a free agent in the 2024 offseason.[27] In the 2023 season, Kinlaw appeared in all 17 games and started six. He finished with 3.5 sacks, 25 total tackles, and three passes defended.[28]

New York Jets

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On 14 March 2024, Kinlaw signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets.[29]

NFL statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular Season

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Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sacks FF FR Yds TD Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2020 SF 14 12 33 15 18 1.5 0 0 0 0 1 27 27.0 27 1 4
2021 SF 4 4 8 1 7 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2022 SF 6 6 4 2 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2023 SF 17 6 25 13 12 3.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 3
Career 41 28 70 31 39 5.0 0 0 0 0 1 27 27.0 27T 1 7

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sacks FF FR Yds TD Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2022 SF 3 3 5 2 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2023 SF 3 0 9 7 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
Career 6 3 14 9 5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ Huddleston, Tom Jr. (23 April 2020). "Top NFL Draft pick Javon Kinlaw was once homeless but will soon have a multimillion-dollar payday". CNBC. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Trini born NFL star says he was homeless". Trinidad Express Newspapers. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  3. ^ Robinson, Manie (28 August 2018). "Once homeless, South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw found new lease on life through football". The Greenville News. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  4. ^ McLemore, Dwayne (1 February 2017). "Welcome back, Javon: Gamecocks get Kinlaw back in the fold". The State. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  5. ^ Cloninger, David (18 August 2018). "Here's Javon Kinlaw: South Carolina defensive lineman ready to live up to star billing". Post and Courier. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  6. ^ Breiner, Ben (8 July 2019). "He's South Carolina's most decorated defender, but is he a little underrated?". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  7. ^ Kendall, Josh (3 October 2019). "South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw came back for one more special season, and he's having it". The Athletic. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  8. ^ Breiner, Ben (27 September 2019). "Two Gamecocks turned down the NFL. Now they're playing like men on a mission". TheState.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Javon Kinlaw Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  10. ^ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Javon Kinlaw College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  11. ^ Breiner, Ben (23 April 2020). "He's a 49er! Javon Kinlaw becomes highest selected Gamecock since Clowney". The State. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  12. ^ Goodbread, Chase (23 April 2020). "Bucs trade with 49ers to draft OL Tristan Wirfs". NFL.com. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  13. ^ Posey, Kyle (26 June 2020). "49ers sign first-round pick Javon Kinlaw to four-year deal". Niners Nation. SB Nation. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Javon Kinlaw". Spotrac.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  15. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  16. ^ Chan, Jennifer Lee (18 November 2020). "49ers place rookie DL Kinlaw on Reserve/COVID-19 list". NBCSports.com. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  17. ^ Madson, Kyle (27 November 2020). "49ers activate DL Javon Kinlaw off COVID-19 list". USAToday.com. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  18. ^ Farrar, Doug (29 November 2020). "49ers rookie DT Javon Kinlaw gets Jared Goff for the pick-six". Touchdown Wire. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  19. ^ Bonilla, David (1 December 2020). "49ers DT Javon Kinlaw nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week after win over Rams". 49ers Webzone. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Javon Kinlaw 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  21. ^ "2020 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Two 49ers Downgraded to OUT vs. Bears; Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Javon Kinlaw 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  24. ^ Wagoner, Nick (15 October 2022). "Injury-plagued Niners lose 2 more starters to IR". ESPN.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  25. ^ Wagoner, Nick (23 December 2022). "Kinlaw off IR, on tap to make 49ers return on Sat". ESPN.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Javon Kinlaw 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  27. ^ Sanchez III, Jose (29 April 2023). "The 49ers Won't Pick up Javon Kinlaw's 5th Year Option". SI.com. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  28. ^ "Javon Kinlaw 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  29. ^ Pullano, John (14 March 2024). "DL Javon Kinlaw Signs with Jets". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
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