D.J. Ivey Bio
D.J. Ivey is an American professional football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Bengals in the seventh round (246th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 191 pounds, Ivey has developed into a depth piece in the Bengals’ secondary after working his way back from a serious knee injury.
Early Life and Background
D.J. Ivey was born on February 25, 2000, in Miami Beach, Florida, and grew up in nearby Florida City, a community with a long tradition of producing football talent. He first attended Homestead Senior High School before transferring to South Dade Senior High School, where he completed his high school career. The move allowed him to showcase his skills on a wider stage and helped shape his path toward college recruitment.
As a senior at South Dade, Ivey posted six interceptions, a number that reflected his instincts in coverage and his ability to read opposing quarterbacks. His performance drew national attention, and he was ranked as a four-star recruit by 247Sports. Following his high school graduation, Ivey committed to play college football for the Miami Hurricanes, choosing to remain in his home state for the next stage of his development.
Path to American Football
Ivey’s transition to college football began when he enrolled at the University of Miami in 2018, joining a Hurricanes program with a proud tradition of producing NFL defensive backs. As a true freshman, he appeared in 11 games, playing mostly on special teams while recording three tackles. The limited role was a typical starting point for a young cornerback adjusting to the speed of the college game, and it gave him valuable experience within Miami’s defensive system.
In his second season, Ivey’s role expanded. He played 12 games, six as a starter, and posted 25 tackles along with three interceptions, leading the Hurricanes in that category. By 2020, he had earned a full-time starting role, starting all 11 games and tallying 36 tackles with four pass breakups. The steady progression from a special-teams contributor to a starting cornerback marked his emergence as a reliable coverage defender at the college level.
D.J. Ivey Career
Early Career (2018–2021, College)
During his four seasons at the University of Miami, Ivey built a reputation as a dependable cornerback and a willing contributor on special teams. After his strong sophomore campaign, he started four of the 12 games he played in 2021, recording 25 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. Although his starting time dipped that season, he remained a key part of Miami’s defensive rotation.
In his final college season, Ivey totaled 38 tackles, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions, capping a career that saw him appear in 58 games with 32 starts. He finished his stint with the Hurricanes with 127 tackles, 17 pass breakups, six interceptions, and two fumbles forced. Those numbers, combined with his experience in a high-level college program, helped position him for the 2023 NFL draft.
Cincinnati Bengals Debut (2023)
Ivey was selected in the seventh round (246th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that valued his coverage experience and special-teams background. Despite his late-round selection, he impressed the coaching staff during the preseason and was named to the Bengals’ 53-man roster. To begin his rookie season, Ivey was listed as the fourth cornerback on the depth chart, a sign that the team viewed him as a developmental piece with rotational potential.
His rookie year was cut short during the first quarter of the Bengals’ Week 15 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, when he suffered a non-contact knee injury and was carted off the field. On December 18, 2023, he was placed on injured reserve, ending his first NFL season. The injury was a difficult setback for a young player who had earned a regular role through his work in practice and preseason games.
Return and Bengals Tenure (2024–Present)
Ivey began the 2024 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list as he continued his recovery from the knee injury he suffered late in 2023. After months of rehabilitation, he was activated on October 19, 2024, returning to the Bengals’ active roster. His comeback was a positive step in a career that had been interrupted just as he was beginning to establish himself in the NFL.
Since joining Cincinnati, Ivey has remained with the organization as a depth cornerback and special-teams contributor. His combination of size, college experience, and familiarity with the Bengals’ defensive scheme has helped him carve out a role within the secondary. He continues to work toward becoming a more consistent presence on defense as his professional career progresses.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Ivey’s NFL career came when he made Cincinnati’s 53-man roster as a seventh-round pick, an achievement that reflected his preseason performance. The knee injury sustained in Week 15 of 2023 against the Minnesota Vikings and his subsequent placement on injured reserve marked the most difficult stretch of his young career. His activation in October 2024 stands as another key milestone, signaling his return to the field after a long rehabilitation process.
D.J. Ivey Career Wins
As a cornerback whose primary value lies in coverage, run support, and special-teams play, D.J. Ivey’s professional resume to this point is defined more by developmental progress and roster milestones than by headline statistics. His career wins include the personal achievement of reaching an NFL active roster as a late-round draft pick and the broader success of remaining with the Bengals organization through his recovery from injury.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his NFL work, Ivey’s standout performances include his six-interception senior season at South Dade Senior High School, which helped him earn a four-star ranking from 247Sports. At the University of Miami, his three-interception sophomore campaign in 2019, when he led the team, remains one of his most productive college seasons. His overall college totals of six interceptions and 17 pass breakups highlight a career built on ball production and steady coverage.
D.J. Ivey Family
Personal Life
D.J. Ivey was born and raised in South Florida, with ties to both Miami Beach and Florida City. Public details about his immediate family are limited, and he has kept much of his personal life out of the spotlight as he focuses on his professional career. His path from Homestead Senior High School to South Dade Senior High School and on to the University of Miami reflects a strong connection to his home state of Florida.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, D.J. Ivey is expected to continue his role with the Cincinnati Bengals as a depth cornerback and contributor on special teams. Coming off a 2024 campaign in which he returned from a serious knee injury, his focus will be on staying healthy and building on the momentum of his October activation. The Bengals’ secondary remains a competitive group, and Ivey’s experience within the system gives him a chance to earn more defensive snaps.
Key results from the early portion of the 2025 schedule will be important in determining how the Bengals deploy Ivey throughout the year. With the team looking to maintain depth behind its top cornerbacks, his performance in practice and on special teams will play a significant role in his playing time. A full, healthy season would mark a major step forward after the injury challenges of his first two NFL years.
Looking ahead, Ivey’s outlook with Cincinnati depends on his continued development in coverage and his ability to stay available. The Bengals’ investment in his recovery, including the patience shown through his time on the physically unable to perform list, suggests the organization values his long-term potential. If he can build on his 2024 return, Ivey has an opportunity to solidify his place in the Bengals’ defensive plans for years to come.