Alohi Gilman Bio
Asai Alohilaniokala “Alohi” Gilman is an American professional football safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen before being selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Known for his work in the secondary and on special teams, Gilman has developed into a reliable starting safety at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Alohi Gilman was born on September 17, 1997, in Laie, Hawaii. He grew up on the North Shore of Oahu, an area known for producing talented football players. He attended Kahuku High School in Kahuku, Hawaii, where he played football and developed the fundamentals that would later carry him to the collegiate level.
Coming from a football-minded family in Hawaii, Gilman was exposed to the sport at a young age. His younger brother, Alaka’i Gilman, also plays safety, currently suiting up for the Utah Utes. The brothers’ shared passion for the defensive side of the game helped shape Alohi’s early development and competitive drive.
Path to American Football
Gilman began his collegiate career at the United States Naval Academy, where he played his freshman year for the Navy Midshipmen. He appeared in all 14 games and finished second on the team with 76 tackles, adding five passes defended and two fumble recoveries. His performance earned him honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference honors, establishing him as one of the top young defensive players in the conference.
After his freshman season, Gilman transferred to the University of Notre Dame, where he had to sit out a year under NCAA transfer rules. He became a starter as a junior and posted 95 tackles, three tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and five passes broken up across 13 games. As a senior team captain, he recorded 74 tackles, one sack, one interception, and three forced fumbles before deciding to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2020 NFL draft.
Alohi Gilman Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Gilman in the sixth round (186th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft, reuniting him with former Notre Dame teammate Drue Tranquill. He signed a four-year, $3.48 million rookie contract on July 22, 2020, and entered training camp competing for a backup strong safety and special teams role. Gilman secured his roster spot after Roderic Teamer was suspended, and he made his regular season debut on September 13, 2020, against the Cincinnati Bengals.
As a rookie, Gilman played primarily on special teams but began appearing on defense in the final five games. He earned his first career start on January 3, 2021, against the Kansas City Chiefs, recording three combined tackles in a 38-21 victory. He finished his rookie season with seven combined tackles in 15 games and one start. In 2021, Gilman set a season-high with seven solo tackles against the Chiefs and recorded his first career interception off Patrick Mahomes, sealing a 30-24 comeback win.
Los Angeles Chargers Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Before Week 5 of the 2022 season, head coach Brandon Staley named Gilman the starting safety, replacing Nasir Adderley. He intercepted Jacoby Brissett late in a 30-28 win over the Cleveland Browns and finished the year with 58 combined tackles, three pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one interception in 17 games. He also started his first career playoff game, an AFC Wild-Card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In 2023, Gilman became a full-time starter alongside Derwin James and posted career-high numbers across the board. He recorded 73 combined tackles, ten pass deflections, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions while starting 14 games. He earned an 86.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, validating his emergence as one of the league’s most improved safeties.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025-Present)
On October 7, 2025, Gilman was traded to the Baltimore Ravens along with a 2026 fifth-round pick in exchange for Odafe Oweh and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to contribute on a contending defense. On December 14, 2025, Gilman scored his first NFL touchdown when teammate Kyle Van Noy intercepted Joe Burrow and handed the ball to him, allowing him to return it 84 yards for the score.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gilman is a versatile safety with strong instincts in coverage and a physical presence in run support. He excels at reading quarterbacks and breaking on the football, as shown by his career-high ten pass deflections in 2023. His special teams background has made him a reliable tackler in space, and he pairs well with rangy safeties who can handle deeper coverage responsibilities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gilman’s first career interception came off Patrick Mahomes in 2021, helping the Chargers secure a dramatic win over the Chiefs. He also recorded his first career sack on Bo Nix in 2024 and his first NFL touchdown in December 2025 against the Cincinnati Bengals. His 86.1 Pro Football Focus grade in 2023 stands as a career-best mark and a sign of his consistency at the position.
Alohi Gilman Career Wins
Gilman has not won a division title or major team championship through the 2025 season, but he has contributed to several notable team victories throughout his NFL career. His first career win came in his NFL debut against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 of 2020, and he has since been part of multiple late-game comebacks and defensive stands.
Los Angeles Chargers Highlights
During his time with the Chargers from 2020 to 2025, Gilman appeared in over 70 regular season games and one playoff contest. His first career start produced a win at Kansas City, and his late interception of Mahomes sealed one of the most memorable victories of the 2021 season. In 2024, he helped the Chargers reach the postseason as a key starter in the secondary before being traded midseason in 2025.
Other Wins & Performances
Gilman earned honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference honors in his freshman year at Navy and was named a team captain during his senior season at Notre Dame. His selection to the 2020 Senior Bowl further highlighted his pre-draft credentials, even though a hamstring injury prevented him from completing the week.
Alohi Gilman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
The Gilman family is rooted in Laie, Hawaii, and has produced multiple football players, including Alohi and his younger brother, Alaka’i Gilman, who plays safety for the Utah Utes. Growing up in a competitive football environment in Hawaii helped both brothers develop their skills and pursue collegiate opportunities at the highest level.
Personal Life
Alohi Gilman is known for his close relationship with his brother Alaka’i, and the two have continued to support each other throughout their football careers. He has largely kept his personal life private, focusing publicly on his professional development and team commitments.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season began for Gilman with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he was expected to start at free safety. After appearing in five games and recording 22 combined tackles and three pass deflections, he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens on October 7, 2025, in exchange for Odafe Oweh. The trade gave him an opportunity to compete for a championship on a Ravens team with playoff aspirations.
With the Ravens, Gilman quickly integrated into the secondary and contributed on special teams. His 84-yard touchdown return on a lateral from Kyle Van Noy on December 14, 2025, against the Bengals highlighted his playmaking ability. As the regular season winds down, Gilman remains a key depth piece in Baltimore’s defensive backfield heading into the postseason.