Marlin "M.J." Devonshire Jr. (born September 12, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats and the Pittsburgh Panthers and was selected by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft.
| No. 26 – Las Vegas Raiders | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Cornerback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 12, 2000 Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight: | 179 lb (81 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Aliquippa (Aliquippa, Pennsylvania) |
| College: | Kentucky (2019–2020) Pittsburgh (2021–2023) |
| NFL draft: | 2024 / round: 7 / pick: 229 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Roster status: | Practice squad |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life and high school
editDevonshire was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania where he attended high school at Aliquippa. In his senior season, Devonshire recorded eight interceptions, and eight punt return touchdowns. Devonshire would decide to commit to play college football at the University of Kentucky.[1][2]
College career
editKentucky
editIn Devonshire's first season in 2019 he totaled five tackles with one pass deflection.[3] In the 2020 season, Devonshire had one tackle and a pass deflection.[4] After the conclusion of the 2020 season, Devonshire would decide to enter the NCAA transfer portal.[5][6]
Pittsburgh
editDevonshire would decide to transfer to the University of Pittsburgh to continue out his college career.[7][8] In week eleven of the 2021 season, Devonshire recorded his first career interception that sealed the win for the Panthers over North Carolina.[9] Devonshire finished the 2021 season with 17 tackles, with one being for a loss, three pass deflections, and an interception.[10] In week one of the 2022 season, Devonshire intercepted a pass and returned it for 56 yards to take the lead, as he helped Pittsburgh beat their rival West Virginia.[11] For his performance on the week, Devonshire was named the ACC defensive back of the week.[12] In week four, Devonshire returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdowns, in a win over Rhode Island.[13] Devonshire finished the 2022 season with 34 tackles, eight pass deflections, three interceptions, and two touchdowns, Devonshire also returned 24 punts for 233 yards and a touchdown.[14] For his performance on the year, Devonshire was named second team All-ACC as a returner.[15][16] Devonshire entered the 2023 season, as one of the Panthers best players.[17] In week seven of the 2023 season, Devonshire totaled six tackles, five pass deflections, and he intercepted a pass and returned it 86 yards for a touchdown, as he helped Pittsburgh upset #14 Louisville.[18] For his performance on the week he was named the ACC defensive back of the week.[19]
Professional career
edit| 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 10+3⁄4 in (1.80 m) |
186 lb (84 kg) |
32+7⁄8 in (0.84 m) |
8+3⁄4 in (0.22 m) |
4.45 s | 1.54 s | 2.59 s | 4.35 s | 7.12 s | 38.5 in (0.98 m) |
10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) | ||
| All values from NFL Combine[20][21] | ||||||||||||
Devonshire was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round (229th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.[22] He was waived on August 28, and re-signed to the practice squad.[23]
References
edit- ^ Hale, Jon (February 6, 2019). "Four-star cornerback M.J. Devonshire commits to Kentucky football". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Rotstein, Steve (February 6, 2019). "Aliquippa's M.J. Devonshire commits to Kentucky". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ "Marlin Devonshire 2019 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ "Marlin Devonshire 2020 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Moore, Josh (December 17, 2020). "Former four-star recruit becomes first Kentucky player to announce transfer in 2020". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Hale, Jon (December 17, 2020). "Former four-star recruit M.J. Devonshire to transfer from Kentucky football program". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Chiappazzi, Andrew (December 30, 2020). "Aliquippa alum M.J. Devonshire lands at Pitt after transferring from Kentucky". Beaver County-Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Meyer, Craig (December 29, 2020). "Pitt lands commitment from Kentucky transfer and former Aliquippa star M.J. Devonshire". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Upadhyaya, Parth (November 12, 2021). "Aliquippa's M.J. Devonshire grabs game-sealing interception for Pitt in OT win over UNC". Beaver County-Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ "Marlin Devonshire 2021 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Al-Khateeb, Zac (September 2, 2022). "M.J. Devonshire's pick-six proves pivotal in Pitt's Backyard Brawl win over West Virginia". Sporting News. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Darnay, Mike (September 7, 2022). "M.J. Devonshire named ACC Defensive Back of the Week". CBS News. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Biles, Noah (July 26, 2023). "Pitt's M.J. Devonshire 'a completely different person' after years of humbling experiences". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ "Marlin Devonshire 2022 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Thompson, Stephen (November 29, 2022). "Pitt Lands Nine on All-ACC Teams". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ "Clemson Leads With 12 Selection to All-ACC Football Teams". Atlantic Coast Conference. November 29, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Thompson, Stephen (July 25, 2023). "PFF Tabs M.J. Devonshire as Pitt Panthers' Best Player". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ "Week 7 ACC Football Players of the Week". Atlantic Coast Conference. October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Thompson, Stephen (October 16, 2023). "Pitt Panthers Land Two ACC Players of Week". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ "M.J. Devonshire Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout M.J. Devonshire College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Raiders sign seventh-round pick CB M.J. Devonshire". Las Vegas Raiders. May 9, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ "Raiders claim DT Jonah Laulu and S Thomas Harper". Raiders.com. August 28, 2024.