Da’Shawn Hand Bio
Da’Shawn Hand is an American professional football defensive end for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was recognized as a formidable defensive player. Born on November 14, 1995, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hand showed early promise in sports and was a multi-sport athlete during high school. He went on to have a successful college career, becoming a highly sought-after NFL prospect and eventually being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2018.
Early Life and Background
Da’Shawn Hand was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Woodbridge, Virginia, where he attended Woodbridge High School. His father is Sharif Hand, who was a junior in high school at the time of Da’Shawn’s birth. Hand’s uncle, Damone Boone, was a Parade All-American running back at West Springfield High School in West Springfield, Virginia, in the mid-1990s, providing an early family connection to competitive football.
At Woodbridge High School, Hand was a three-sport athlete who competed in football, wrestling, and track. In football, he established himself as an All-State defensive lineman. During his junior year, he recorded 110 tackles, 16 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, two pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, even though his team finished the season with a 6-5 record. After that junior campaign, Hand was named the Rivals.com Junior of the Year, an honor given to the top-rated prospect entering senior season.
Beyond football, Hand excelled in wrestling as a regional champion in Virginia. In track and field, he competed primarily as a thrower but also tried sprinting during his final year in 2014. He earned a second-place finish in the shot put at the Runner Store City-County Championships with a career-best throw of 15.81 meters, placed 11th in the discus at the Gojekian Twilight Classic, and ran a 12.24-second 100-meter dash at the 2014 Garfield Meet.
Path to American Football
Hand was widely regarded as the nation’s best recruit in the 2014 class by Rivals.com and received more than 90 scholarship offers. He narrowed his college choices to Alabama, Florida, and Michigan before the start of his senior season. On November 14, 2013, his eighteenth birthday, he announced his commitment to the University of Alabama, citing the school’s respected civil engineering program as a major factor in his decision.
The Washington Post featured Hand in a documentary series called First and 17, which followed him both on and off the field and gave viewers an inside look at the challenges facing a top recruit juggling school, football, and his senior year. The added media attention did not slow his development, as he continued to refine his technique as a defensive end in preparation for the college level.
Da’Shawn Hand Career
Early Career (2014-2017)
Hand attended the University of Alabama from 2014 to 2017 under head coach Nick Saban and became a regular in the Crimson Tide defensive line rotation. In his true freshman year, he played in nine games at defensive end and made his first career tackle against West Virginia. He finished the season with seven tackles, including four solo stops and two sacks for minus 10 yards.
As a senior in 2017, Hand started nine of the 11 games he played, missing time with a minor knee injury, and recorded 27 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. He was part of Alabama teams that won the College Football Playoff National Championship in both 2015 and 2017, and he was recognized as a Second-team All-SEC selection in 2016 and 2017.
Detroit Lions Era (2018-2021)
Hand was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round, 114th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. He made his professional debut in the Lions’ season opener against the New York Jets and recorded his first career sack in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. The following week, he added another sack in a victory over the Green Bay Packers, but his promising rookie year was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on December 18, 2018. He was later named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
His 2019 season was derailed by injuries, including an elbow injury that forced him to miss the first six weeks of the regular season and an ankle injury in Week 9. In 2020, Hand was relegated to a backup role, playing roughly half of the defensive snaps and starting one of ten games played. He was released by the Lions in November 2021 after a season spent largely on injured reserve.
Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans (2021-2022)
On December 21, 2021, Hand was signed to the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad. He was released ten days later on December 31. Shortly after, on January 5, 2022, he joined the Tennessee Titans practice squad and signed a reserve and future contract with the team on February 15. The 2022 season did not go as planned, as Hand was placed on injured reserve on September 13 and did not return to action that year.
Miami Dolphins Era (2023-2024)
On August 6, 2023, Hand signed with the Miami Dolphins but was released on August 29 and quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 16 and contributed on the defensive line through the rest of the season. On March 18, 2024, Hand re-signed with the Dolphins, giving him another full season of opportunity in the AFC East.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, Hand signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year contract worth 3.35 million dollars. He joined a Chargers defensive line looking to add experienced pass-rush depth. After suffering a groin injury in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders, Hand was placed on injured reserve on October 11, pausing what had been a productive early run with his new team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hand is a lengthy defensive end who uses his 6-foot-3 frame to set the edge against the run and disrupt passing lanes. He combines the strength to hold up at the point of attack with the quickness to challenge offensive tackles off the snap. His experience across multiple defensive schemes in Detroit, Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Miami has helped him develop into a reliable rotational presence on early downs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hand was part of Alabama’s College Football Playoff National Championship teams in 2015 and 2017, an early milestone that foreshadowed his NFL future. He earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2018 after recording two sacks in his first four games. In 2025, he signed a one-year, 3.35 million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, marking one of the most significant opportunities of his professional career.
Da’Shawn Hand Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Da’Shawn Hand has spoken openly about the influence of his father, Sharif Hand, who raised him as a young parent while completing his own education. His uncle, Damone Boone, was a Parade All-American running back at West Springfield High School, giving the family a clear connection to high-level football. Hand has one daughter and has balanced his NFL career with fatherhood throughout his time in the league.
2025 Season Performance
Da’Shawn Hand’s 2025 season began with a notable move, as he signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in March to bolster the team’s defensive line. He took on a rotational role early in the year, contributing against both the run and the pass in the Chargers’ AFC West matchups. His veteran presence was expected to provide leadership for a young group of edge rushers.
Hand’s season was interrupted in Week 5 when he suffered a groin injury against the Washington Commanders. The Chargers placed him on injured reserve on October 11, removing him from the active roster for the middle stretch of the schedule. The injury was a setback, but the one-year contract gave both sides clarity about the length of his commitment to Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, the Chargers’ investment in Hand signals that he remains in their plans as a depth piece on the defensive front. If he returns healthy, he will have an opportunity to finish the 2025 campaign on a strong note and potentially earn a longer role with the team beyond this season.