Joseph Matthew Gaziano (born September 27, 1996) is an American professional football defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Northwestern.
![]() | |||||||
No. 97 – Jacksonville Jaguars | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Defensive end | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | September 27, 1996||||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 280 lb (127 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | Xaverian Brothers (Westwood, Massachusetts) | ||||||
College: | Northwestern | ||||||
Undrafted: | 2020 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
| |||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
Roster status: | Practice squad | ||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| |||||||
Career NFL statistics as of 2023 | |||||||
| |||||||
Player stats at PFR |
Early life and high school
editGaziano grew up in Scituate, Massachusetts and attended Xaverian Brothers High School, where he played football and lacrosse.[1] He was named the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior after recording 21 tackles for loss and 16 sacks.[2]
College career
editGaziano was a member of the Northwestern Wildcats for five seasons, redshirting his true freshman year.[3] He finished his collegiate career with school records of 30 sacks and 10 forced fumbles and second all-time with 48.5 tackles for loss with 153 total tackles, four fumbles recovered, 15 passes defended and a blocked kick in 52 games played.[4]
Professional career
editHeight | 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 4+1⁄4 in (1.94 m) |
282 lb (128 kg) |
32+5⁄8 in (0.83 m) |
9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) |
5.10 s | 1.68 s | 2.85 s | 4.61 s | 7.50 s | 32.5 in (0.83 m) |
9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) |
25 reps | |
All values from Pro Day[5] |
Los Angeles Chargers
editGaziano was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020.[6] He was waived at the end of training camp during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020,[7] and signed to the practice squad on September 10, 2020.[8] He was elevated to the active roster on October 12 and December 26 for the team's weeks 5 and 16 games against the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[9][10] On January 1, 2021, Gaziano was signed to the active roster.[11]
On August 31, 2021, Gaziano was waived by the Chargers and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[12][13] He was activated for the Chargers' week 2 game against the Cowboys. He was signed to the active roster on October 1.[14]
On August 30, 2022, Gaziano was waived by the Chargers and signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16] He was promoted to the active roster on November 19.[17] He was placed on injured reserve on December 21.[18]
Atlanta Falcons
editOn March 27, 2023, Gaziano signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.[19]
Jacksonville Jaguars
editOn August 16, 2024, Gaziano signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[20] He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[21][22]
References
edit- ^ Barboza, Scott (November 26, 2014). "Xaverian captain savors the moment". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ "HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Xaverian's Joe Gaziano named Gatorade Player of the Year". Boston Herald. December 4, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Mandel, Stewart (December 28, 2017). "Music City Bowl: Northwestern's Joe Gaziano is adding new fame to family name". The Athletic. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ Brockway, Ella (April 27, 2020). "NU's Joe Gaziano signs with L.A. Chargers as undrafted free agent". The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Joe Gaziano, Northwestern, DE, 2020 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
- ^ Dudek, Greg (April 25, 2020). "Joe Gaziano heads West, signs free agent contract with Chargers". Boston Herald. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ "We've Trimmed Our Roster to 53". Chargers.com. September 5, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Peterson, Michael (September 10, 2020). "Chargers sign DE Joe Gaziano to practice squad". BoltsFromTheBlue.com. SB Nation. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ "Chargers Activate DE Joe Gaziano and RB Troymaine Pope". Chargers.com. October 12, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Jessie Lemonier to Active Roster; Place Uchenna Nwosu on Injured Reserve". Chargers.com. December 26, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Make Roster Moves Prior to Sunday's Game". Chargers.com. January 1, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ "Chargers Reduce Roster to 53". Chargers.com. August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ "Chargers Announce Practice Squad and Claim Two Players Off Waivers". Chargers.com. September 1, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Joe Gaziano to Active Roster". Chargers.com. October 1, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Reduce Roster to 53 Players". Chargers.com. August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ Cothrel, Nicholas (August 31, 2022). "Chargers Sign 14 Players to Practice Squad". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Chargers Announce Roster Moves Before Week 11 Contest". Chargers.com. November 19, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ Cothrel, Nicholas (December 22, 2022). "Chargers Place DL Joe Gaziano on Injured Reserve, Make Three Other Roster Moves". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ McElhaney, Tori (March 27, 2023). "Falcons sign defensive end Joe Gaziano to one-year deal". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Sign DE Joe Gaziano, Release DE Rasheem Green". Jaguars.com. August 16, 2024.
- ^ "Roster Moves: Jacksonville Jaguars Make The Following Roster Moves Hours Before 2024 Roster Deadline". Jaguars.com. August 27, 2024.
- ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Announce Additions to the 2024 Practice Squad". Jaguars.com. August 28, 2024.