J. R. Sweezy

Justin Ross "J. R." Sweezy (born April 8, 1989)[2] is an American football guard for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round, 225th overall, of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at NC State.

J. R. Sweezy
Sweezy with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018
No. 64 – Arizona Cardinals
Position:Guard
Personal information
Born: (1989-04-08) April 8, 1989
Mooresville, North Carolina
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:310[1] lb (141 kg)
Career information
High school:Mooresville
(Mooresville, North Carolina)
College:NC State
NFL Draft:2012 / Round: 7 / Pick: 225
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Games played:117
Games started:104
Sacks:1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early life

Sweezy was born in North Carolina, to Bryan and Susan Sweezy. He is the older brother of sister Madison Sweezy.[3] Sweezy grew up a North Carolina State Wolfpack fan as his grandfather had previously played fullback for NC State. As a linebacker at Mooresville High School his junior year he recorded 115 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, and three sacks. He played linebacker and recorded 195 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, six sacks, and four forced fumbles in 12 games his senior year.[4] He also wrestled winning the Class 3A Heavyweight Wrestling Championship in North Carolina.

College career

Sweezy played 35 games with 20 starts playing linebacker, defensive end, and defensive tackle at NC State, starting every game his junior and senior seasons. He recorded 86 tackles (65 solo), 22 tackles-for-loss, 11.0 sacks, 33 quarterback pressures, three passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was voted team captain his senior season and was selected honorable mention All-ACC his junior year.

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4 3⁄4 in
(1.95 m)		 298 lb
(135 kg)		 34 in
(0.86 m)		 9 5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 5.01 s 1.73 s 2.89 s 4.41 s 7.40 s 36 in
(0.91 m)		 9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)		 21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[5][6]

Seattle Seahawks

Coming out of NC State, Sweezy wasn't a highly sought after draft prospect at defensive tackle. Seattle Seahawks' offensive line coach Tom Cable set up a private workout with Sweezy and evaluated his footwork and physical strength. Cable, who had successfully converted defensive lineman to offensive lineman throughout his career, thought Sweezy had the tools and ability to successfully transition to an NFL offensive lineman. After agreeing to switch to the offensive line the Seahawks drafted him in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft, reuniting him with former NC State teammate, Russell Wilson.[7][8]

In his rookie season, Sweezy got the first start of his career in the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals replacing second year guard John Moffitt. He again started for the injured Moffitt in the last two games of the regular season against the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams. During the 2012 campaign he had three starts and played in 13 games. For the 2013 season Sweezy started 13 regular season games and in the post season for a Seahawks team that went on to win the Super Bowl that year. In 2014 Sweezy had his first season where he started every regular season game at right guard. The Seahawks would go on to return to the Super Bowl losing to the New England Patriots.[9]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 9, 2016, Sweezy and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to a five-year deal worth $32.5 million.[10] He underwent back surgery after signing with the Buccaneers and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list which made him unavailable for the first five games of the season.[11] He was placed on injured reserve for the 2016 season on November 12 without appearing in a game for the Buccaneers.

Sweezy started the first 14 games of the 2017 season at right guard, playing all every offensive snap before suffering an injury in Week 15. He was placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2017.[12]

On June 29, 2018, Sweezy was released by the Buccaneers, just two seasons into his five-year deal.[13]

Seattle Seahawks (second stint)

On August 1, 2018, Sweezy was re-signed by the Seattle Seahawks.[14] He was a starter in all 15 games he played.

Arizona Cardinals

On March 15, 2019, Sweezy signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.[15] He started all 16 games at right guard for the Cardinals in 2019.

In 2020, Sweezy started the first five games at right guard before being placed on injured reserve on October 17, 2020 with an elbow injury.[16] He was activated on November 14, 2020.[17]

References
  1. "J.R. Sweezy". Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  2. "Sizing up J.R. Sweezy". Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  3. Mehrtens, Cliff. "Sweezy goes from Mooresville to Super Bowl". Lake Norman Publications. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  4. "NC State Wolfpack Bio".
  5. "J.R. Sweezy, DS #37 DT, North Carolina State". NFLDraftscout.com. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  6. "Sweezy NFL Combine". NFL.com. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  7. "NFL Draft 2012: Seahawks Select J.R. Sweezy In The 7th Round". SB Nation. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  8. "Seattle Seahawks Guard JR Sweezy's drive led to successful transition". Charlotte Observer. January 28, 2015.
  9. "Young Seahawks Add Two More Rook Starters". SportsPressNW.com. December 26, 2012.
  10. Smith, Scott (March 10, 2016). "Bucs Add J.R. Sweezy to Offensive Front". Buccaneers.com.
  11. Sander Philipse. "J.R. Sweezy set to miss five games with back surgery". BucsNation.com. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  12. Smith, Scott (December 20, 2017). "Standout Rookies Among Five Bucs Headed to IR". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017.
  13. "Buccaneers Release G J.R. Sweezy". Buccaneers.com. June 29, 2018.
  14. Boyle, John (August 1, 2018). "Seahawks Sign Guard J.R. Sweezy, Waive/Injured Guard Avery Young". Seahawks.com.
  15. Odegard, Kyle (March 15, 2019). "J.R. Sweezy Added To Cardinals' Offensive Line". AZCardinals.com.
  16. Urban, Darren (October 17, 2020). "Cardinals Place J.R. Sweezy, Rashard Lawrence On Injured Reserve". AZCardinals.com.
  17. "J.R. Sweezy Activated From IR As Leki Fotu Placed On IR". AZCardinals.com. November 14, 2020.
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