Ezra Cleveland Bio
Ezra Cleveland is an American professional football guard for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 142 kilograms, Cleveland has developed into a dependable offensive lineman known for his size and football instincts.
Early Life and Background
Ezra Cleveland was born on May 8, 1998, in Spanaway, Washington. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest and attended Bethel High School in Spanaway, where he developed into a highly recruited offensive line prospect. Cleveland was born three weeks early at 11 pounds, an early indication of the large frame that would later define his professional career.
During his time at Bethel High School, Cleveland emerged as one of the top offensive linemen in the state of Washington. His combination of size, athleticism, and footwork drew attention from multiple college football programs. Ultimately, Cleveland committed to Boise State University, choosing the Broncos over several other suitors eager to add a player of his physical dimensions and upside.
Path to American Football
Cleveland enrolled at Boise State in 2016 and immediately joined the Broncos football program. He redshirted his first year on campus in 2016, using the season to develop his body and adjust to the speed of the college game. The redshirt year allowed Cleveland to learn the Broncos’ offensive system and refine his technique before stepping onto the field as a starter.
In 2017, Cleveland cracked the starting lineup and quickly became a fixture on the Boise State offensive line. Over the remainder of his college career, he started 40 games, earning a reputation as a reliable pass protector and run blocker. After his junior season in 2019, Cleveland declared for the 2020 NFL draft, where his combination of length, experience, and athleticism made him one of the top offensive line prospects in the class.
Ezra Cleveland Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Ezra Cleveland was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round, 58th overall, of the 2020 NFL draft. He began his rookie season as a backup but quickly earned a larger role. In Week 6 of the 2020 season, Cleveland was named the starting right guard, and he went on to start nine games as a rookie, showing poise well beyond his years.
In 2021, the Vikings shifted Cleveland to starting left guard, a transition that highlighted his versatility along the offensive line. He started every game that season, establishing himself as a full-time starter in the league. By the end of his second professional season, Cleveland had firmly cemented his place as a key building block for the Vikings’ offensive front.
Minnesota Vikings Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Cleveland’s breakthrough came in 2021, when he took over the starting left guard role and held it for the entire season. His dependable play helped stabilize the interior of the Vikings’ offensive line and contributed to a productive offense. Cleveland followed that performance by starting every game again in 2022, demonstrating remarkable durability and consistency.
Heading into the 2023 season, Cleveland returned as the Vikings’ starting left guard. He started the first six games of the year, continuing his run as a reliable presence on the line. However, midseason changes prompted the Vikings to move on, and on October 31, 2023, Cleveland was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2023–Present)
Following his midseason trade, Ezra Cleveland joined the Jacksonville Jaguars and quickly slotted into a starting role. The trade gave Cleveland a fresh opportunity to showcase his skills on a contending team. He finished the 2023 campaign in Jacksonville, providing stability and veteran experience to the Jaguars’ offensive front.
On March 8, 2024, Cleveland signed a three-year contract extension with the Jaguars, locking him in through the 2027 season. The extension reflected Jacksonville’s confidence in Cleveland as a long-term piece of its offensive line. He continued to serve as a starting guard, helping anchor a Jaguars offense that relied on his blend of size and technique.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Cleveland’s early career came in Week 6 of his rookie season, when he was thrust into the starting right guard role and held it for nine games. That promotion marked the arrival of a second-round pick who was ready to contribute immediately. His subsequent move to left guard in 2021 and his midseason trade to Jacksonville in 2023 both stand out as major turning points in his professional journey.
Ezra Cleveland Career Wins
Across his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars, Ezra Cleveland has established himself as a reliable offensive guard with consistent starting experience. While individual win totals can fluctuate by season, his value has been measured more by his durability and dependability than by headline statistics. Cleveland’s two-time First-team All-Mountain West recognition at Boise State underscores the foundation of success he brought into the professional ranks.
Boise State Highlights
During his time with the Boise State Broncos, Cleveland earned First-team All-Mountain West honors in both 2018 and 2019, cementing his status as one of the premier offensive linemen in the conference. He started 40 games for the Broncos, an impressive workload that prepared him for the rigors of an NFL schedule. His back-to-back All-Conference selections played a significant role in elevating his draft stock heading into 2020.
Ezra Cleveland Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Ezra Cleveland was raised in Spanaway, Washington, where he attended Bethel High School. He came from a supportive family environment in the Pacific Northwest that helped him pursue his football dreams from a young age. His path from a Washington high school to the NFL reflects the strong football culture of the region.
Personal Life
Cleveland keeps much of his personal life private, focusing public attention on his football career. He was born three weeks early at 11 pounds, a remarkable detail that has been shared in profiles of his early life. Off the field, Cleveland remains connected to his Pacific Northwest roots while building his professional life in Jacksonville.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Ezra Cleveland is firmly entrenched as a starting guard for the Jacksonville Jaguars following his three-year extension signed in March 2024. The deal, which runs through the 2027 season, gives both player and team long-term stability along the offensive line. Cleveland’s experience and consistency are expected to play a major role in the Jaguars’ hopes of competing in the AFC South.
Cleveland’s combination of size, technique, and football intelligence makes him a foundational piece of Jacksonville’s offensive line. With continuity at the guard position, the Jaguars are counting on Cleveland to provide leadership in the running game and dependable pass protection. His familiarity with the team’s scheme after a full 2024 campaign should help him play at an even higher level in 2025.
Looking ahead, Cleveland’s role with the Jaguars positions him as a veteran presence on a roster that values physicality up front. If he stays healthy, he is on track to continue his streak of full-season availability and remain one of the most dependable guards in the division. The 2025 season represents another opportunity for Cleveland to strengthen his reputation as a quality NFL offensive lineman.