DeMarcco Hellams Bio
DeMarcco Hellams is an American professional football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 5, 2000, in Washington, D.C., he developed into one of the most dependable defensive backs in the Southeastern Conference during his time with the Alabama Crimson Tide before beginning his professional career in 2023.
Selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hellams joined a franchise that has continued to lean on his versatility in both the secondary and on special teams. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 203 pounds, he has provided depth, leadership, and steady tackling for Atlanta across his first seasons in the league.
Early Life and Background
DeMarcco Hellams was born and raised in Washington, D.C., where he grew up immersed in a competitive football environment that shaped his early athletic identity. He attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, one of the most storied football programs in the Mid-Atlantic region, known for producing Division I talent year after year.
At DeMatha, Hellams was a two-way standout who lined up at both wide receiver and defensive back, demonstrating rare athleticism and football intelligence on either side of the ball. As a senior, his performance at receiver was so impressive that the Washington Post named him the Metro Offensive Player of the Year after he caught 78 passes for 1,469 yards and 21 touchdowns, while also recording 12 interceptions on defense during his high school career.
His success at DeMatha drew attention from major college programs, and Hellams ultimately committed to the University of Alabama to continue his football career. The decision to join the Crimson Tide placed him in one of the most demanding defensive systems in college football and set the stage for his development as a safety.
Path to American Football
Hellams arrived at the University of Alabama in 2019 as a true freshman and immediately began adjusting to the speed and complexity of the Southeastern Conference. He played in 13 games during his freshman season, contributing four tackles and half a sack while learning the fundamentals of the Crimson Tide defense.
As a sophomore in 2020, Hellams took a significant step forward, appearing in 13 games and recording 56 tackles along with one sack. His growing comfort within the Alabama defensive scheme allowed him to earn a larger role in the secondary and positioned him as a key contributor heading into his junior year.
The 2021 season marked his emergence as a full-time starter. In his first year as a starter, Hellams tallied 87 tackles and three interceptions, demonstrating the ball skills he had honed as a high school receiver. He returned to Alabama for his senior season in 2022, where he led the team with 108 tackles and finished sixth in the SEC in total tackles, cementing his status as one of the conference’s top safeties.
DeMarcco Hellams Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Hellams’ early career at Alabama was defined by steady progression from a rotational freshman into a defensive leader. His willingness to contribute on special teams and in nickel packages helped him earn trust from the coaching staff during his first two seasons, even as he adjusted to the physical demands of SEC football.
By his junior and senior seasons, Hellams had become the anchor of the Alabama secondary, logging heavy snap counts and delivering consistent tackling production. His senior campaign in 2022, in which he led the Crimson Tide in tackles, served as a strong finishing chapter to his college career and helped attract the attention of NFL scouts.
NFL Breakthrough with the Atlanta Falcons (2023–Present)
Hellams was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round with the 224th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, officially beginning his professional career. He joined an Atlanta defensive backfield in transition and worked to carve out a role on both defense and special teams throughout his rookie season.
His second professional season, however, was disrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, to begin the regular season, forcing him to miss the entirety of that year while recovering. Hellams returned to action in 2025, appearing in 11 games primarily on special teams and posting 10 tackles along with a fumble recovery for the Falcons.
On December 6, 2025, Hellams was placed on injured reserve again due to a hamstring injury, interrupting what had been a productive return to the field. Through perseverance and a focus on special teams value, he has continued to establish himself as a reliable depth piece for Atlanta.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hellams is recognized for his physicality as a run-support safety and his willingness to come downhill against the run. His experience as a high school wide receiver gives him dependable ball skills in coverage, while his tackling production at Alabama highlighted his consistency and discipline in the box. Coaches have valued his intelligence, communication in the secondary, and ability to contribute on special teams coverage units.
Notable Events and Milestones
A signature moment in Hellams’ career came during his senior season at Alabama in 2022, when he led the Crimson Tide with 108 tackles and finished sixth in the SEC in total tackles. Being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons represented another major milestone, validating his years of development within one of college football’s most respected programs.
DeMarcco Hellams Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Football has been a shared passion within the Hellams family. DeMarcco’s older brother, Delante Hellams Jr., played college football as a wide receiver for Stony Brook from 2017 to 2022, giving the family a strong connection to the sport at multiple levels. That background helped shape DeMarcco’s competitive foundation as he pursued his own football journey.
Personal Life
Born in Washington, D.C., DeMarcco Hellams has built his early professional life around his commitments with the Atlanta Falcons since being drafted in 2023. Details about his personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly confirmed, and he has largely kept his private affairs away from media attention.
2025 Season Performance
Hellams’ 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons has been a story of perseverance and contribution on special teams. After missing the entire 2024 campaign due to an injury that placed him on injured reserve at the start of the regular season, he returned to the field and appeared in 11 games for Atlanta, serving primarily in coverage and support roles on special teams units.
During those 11 appearances, he posted 10 tackles and a fumble recovery, demonstrating the same reliable tackling ability that defined his college career. His veteran presence and understanding of opposing schemes added stability to Atlanta’s special teams phases throughout the year.
His season was interrupted once again on December 6, 2025, when he was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Despite the setback, Hellams’ ability to return from a season-long absence and produce on special teams reflected the resilience that has defined his path from DeMatha Catholic to the NFL.