Damontae Kazee Bio
Damontae Tyron Kazee is an American professional football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 5, 1993, in San Bernardino, California, he rose from a multi-sport high school athlete into one of the Mountain West Conference’s most decorated defensive backs during his time at San Diego State. Kazee entered the NFL in 2017 when the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the fifth round, and he has since become known as a ball-hawking safety whose instincts in coverage have shaped his career.
Standing 180 centimeters and weighing around 79 kilograms, Kazee built a reputation on anticipation, route recognition, and a willingness to play physically near the line of scrimmage. After spending his early NFL years as a cornerback with the Falcons before transitioning to safety, he developed into a playmaker in the secondary. Across stints with Atlanta, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit, he has remained a steady veteran presence known for timely interceptions and aggressive tackling.
Early Life and Background
Kazee grew up in San Bernardino, California, where he attended Cajon High School and starred as a two-way player at cornerback and running back. During his senior season in 2011, he registered 27 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 4 rushing touchdowns, and 4 receiving touchdowns, performances that earned him three-time All-CIF honors. Beyond football, he also lettered in basketball and track, experiences that helped shape the speed and competitive toughness he would later bring to the defensive secondary.
Coming from a family with a clear athletic pedigree, Kazee followed in the footsteps of his older brother Walter, who played running back at San Diego State. That family connection to the Aztecs program helped steer Damontae toward a scholarship offer of his own. The combination of multi-sport versatility at Cajon and a strong family example laid the groundwork for his transition to the college level.
Path to American Football
Kazee accepted a football scholarship from San Diego State, where he immediately worked into the cornerback rotation as a redshirt freshman. He appeared in 13 games that year, missing only one contest due to a concussion, and produced 41 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack, and 4 forced fumbles while serving as a backup. Those numbers hinted at a player ready to take on a larger role.
As a sophomore, he started all 13 games at cornerback and posted 58 tackles along with a team-leading 13 pass breakups. His junior season marked his arrival as a true cover man, as he collected 75 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 7 pass breakups, the second-highest single-season interception total in school history at that point. He followed that with a senior campaign that included 7 more interceptions and a school record 17 career picks, becoming the first San Diego State player to record at least 6 interceptions in back-to-back seasons. His standout college play earned him Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016, First-team All-Mountain West recognition in both seasons, and a Second-team All-Mountain West nod in 2014. He capped his pre-draft process by accepting an invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl and participating in the NFL Scouting Combine before being projected as a fourth or fifth-round selection.
Damontae Kazee Career
Early Career (2017)
Selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, Kazee signed a four-year rookie contract worth about $2.68 million. He entered training camp competing for the nickel back role before head coach Dan Quinn moved him to free safety in July, a switch that unlocked his range and ball skills. He opened the year as the backup to Ricardo Allen and made his regular-season debut in the Falcons’ season-opening win at the Chicago Bears, where he forced a fumble and recorded two solo tackles.
On October 1, 2017, Kazee earned his first career start in place of an injured Allen and delivered a season-high nine combined tackles and a forced fumble against the Buffalo Bills. He finished his rookie year with 23 combined tackles, two forced fumbles, and steady contributions on special teams, giving Atlanta a versatile defender to build around.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Kazee opened 2018 as the backup strong safety behind Keanu Neal, but a Week 1 injury to Neal thrust him into the starting lineup. He responded with a breakout season, recording a Week 3 career-high 10 combined tackles and finishing third on the team with 82 combined tackles. He tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions, a number matched only by Kyle Fuller and Xavien Howard.
In 2019, Kazee opened his interception account in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers off a pass from Kyle Allen. He added two more picks against Carolina later that season during a 40–20 win, also forcing a fumble on a kickoff return that was recovered by kicker Younghoe Koo. He closed 2019 with 74 combined tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble, cementing his value as a starting safety. His Falcons tenure, which ended after a 2020 Achilles tear, produced 199 tackles, 10 interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and 5 forced fumbles across his time in Atlanta.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2021)
On March 29, 2021, Kazee signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, reuniting with former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, who was now Dallas’ defensive coordinator. After recovering from his Achilles injury, he appeared in 17 games with 15 starts at free safety and tallied 54 defensive tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 special teams tackles. He also started the playoff contest against the San Francisco 49ers and added 9 tackles in that game.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2022–2023)
Kazee signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 3, 2022. A preseason fractured forearm and a three-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy limited his early impact, but he returned to action on November 10. He finished the year with 19 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 passes defensed across 9 games and 4 starts.
On March 14, 2023, he signed a two-year extension with Pittsburgh. During a Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, Kazee was ejected in the second quarter for a hit to the head of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., and the NFL later suspended him for the remainder of the 2023 season. After an appeal, the league upheld the suspension but allowed him to participate in the playoffs should Pittsburgh qualify.
Detroit Lions Era (2025–Present)
After a brief 2025 stint with the Cleveland Browns, where he appeared in four games and recorded no tackles before being released on November 3, Kazee was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on December 8, 2025. He brings veteran experience and proven ball-hawking ability to a Detroit secondary looking to add depth for the stretch run.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kazee’s game centers on sharp route recognition, anticipation in zone coverage, and a physical temperament that shows up in run support and tackling. His cornerback background at San Diego State gives him the footwork and mirror skills to match up on slot receivers, while his safety experience allows him to read quarterbacks from deeper alignments. His knack for finding the football has been the defining trait of his NFL career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kazee’s signature moment came in 2018, when he tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions, matching Kyle Fuller and Xavien Howard. He also set San Diego State’s all-time career interceptions record with 17 picks and became the first player in school history with at least 6 interceptions in consecutive seasons. Other milestones include his first NFL start against the Buffalo Bills in 2017 and his first interception as a professional, recorded against the Carolina Panthers in 2019.
Damontae Kazee Career Wins
Damontae Tyron Kazee has built his professional resume on takeaways rather than traditional win-loss records, and his interception totals remain his most visible measure of success. Across his NFL stops with the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Detroit Lions, he has continued to contribute as a starting-caliber safety and a rotational defensive back.
Atlanta Falcons Highlights
During his four seasons in Atlanta, Kazee appeared in regular season and postseason games while developing from a converted cornerback into a full-time safety. His 2018 campaign stands as the high-water mark, when his seven interceptions tied for the league lead. He added three more picks in 2019 and closed his Falcons run with 10 career interceptions, 199 tackles, and 5 forced fumbles before a 2020 Achilles tear ended his season.
Dallas Cowboys Highlights
In his lone season with Dallas in 2021, Kazee started 15 games and posted 2 interceptions, 54 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles while helping the Cowboys advance into the postseason. His playoff start against the San Francisco 49ers, where he recorded 9 tackles, underscored his value in high-leverage games.
Pittsburgh Steelers Highlights
Kazee’s Pittsburgh tenure included 2 interceptions in 2022 across limited action and a two-year contract extension in March 2023. Though injuries and league discipline shortened his on-field time, he remained a trusted voice in the Steelers’ secondary when available.
Damontae Kazee Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kazee comes from an athletic family rooted in Southern California. His older brother Walter played running back at San Diego State, helping pave the way for Damontae to follow the same collegiate path. The Kazee family’s connection to the Aztecs program shaped his recruitment and reinforced his commitment to playing at the highest collegiate level he could reach.
Personal Life
Kazee has kept much of his personal life private, and details about a spouse or children are not publicly confirmed in available sources. On October 19, 2021, he was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence after a traffic stop in The Colony, Texas, an incident that was reported at the time. He has otherwise focused public attention on his football career and his ongoing pursuit of an NFL championship.
2025 Season Performance
Kazee’s 2025 season has been one of the more turbulent chapters of his career. After signing with the Cleveland Browns on May 12, 2025, he appeared in four games without recording a tackle and was released by Cleveland on November 3. Just over a month later, on December 8, the Detroit Lions signed him to their practice squad, offering an opportunity to re-establish himself in a contending secondary.
His short Browns stint limited his statistical impact, while his transition to Detroit places him alongside a defensive backs group chasing playoff positioning. With the Lions in the hunt late in the year, Kazee’s experience in coverage and as a tackler could give Detroit a veteran option if promotions from the practice squad become necessary.
Looking ahead, Kazee’s path back to regular defensive snaps will depend on health, opportunity, and his ability to adapt to yet another defensive scheme. His track record of producing takeaways suggests he remains a viable situational safety whenever a team is ready to elevate his role.