Jeremiah Ledbetter Bio
Jeremiah Ledbetter, born May 29, 1994, in Orlando, Florida, is an American professional football defensive end. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 300 pounds, he has built a journeyman career across multiple National Football League franchises since entering the league in 2017. He is best known for winning Super Bowl LV as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and for playing college football at Arkansas.
After a standout junior college career at Hutchinson Community College, Ledbetter transferred to Arkansas and developed into a disruptive interior pass rusher. He has continued to navigate the practice squad and active roster circuit in the NFL, most recently signing with the New York Giants in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Jeremiah Ledbetter was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, where he developed an early interest in football. He began his high school career at Olympia High School before transferring to Gainesville High School, where he grew into a promising defensive prospect. The move allowed him to sharpen his skills in a more competitive environment and prepare for the next level of the sport.
Coming out of Gainesville, Ledbetter drew attention from several college programs, but he chose to begin his collegiate journey at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. That decision gave him the chance to refine his technique against strong junior college competition and gain valuable playing time early in his development.
Path to American Football
Ledbetter started his college career at Hutchinson Community College in 2013, and his impact was immediate. By the end of his sophomore season in 2014, he had emerged as one of the top defensive linemen in junior college football, earning All-American honors after recording 24.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks. Those numbers made him one of the most sought-after defensive tackle transfers in the country.
He transferred to the University of Arkansas to play for the Razorbacks, where he stepped onto the field right away as a junior in 2015. Ledbetter posted 55 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks that season, showing he could handle the speed and physicality of the Southeastern Conference. His performance established him as a reliable presence on the Arkansas defensive line heading into his senior year.
Jeremiah Ledbetter Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
During his senior season at Arkansas in 2016, Jeremiah Ledbetter put together his most productive college campaign. He tallied 49 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, earning recognition as one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the SEC. That production helped cement his status as an NFL prospect entering the 2017 draft cycle.
His combination of size, quickness, and power made him an attractive option for teams seeking depth along the defensive front. Ledbetter’s senior film highlighted his ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt running lanes, traits that would later translate to the professional level.
Detroit Lions Era (2017–2018)
The Detroit Lions selected Ledbetter in the sixth round with the 205th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. On May 12, 2017, the Lions signed him to a four-year contract worth $2.54 million, including a signing bonus of $144,160. He spent his rookie season working to earn a role along Detroit’s defensive front.
Ledbetter’s time in Detroit was short-lived. On September 1, 2018, he was waived by the Lions as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season. The move opened the door for the next chapter of his professional journey.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers First Stint (2018–2019)
On September 3, 2018, Jeremiah Ledbetter signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad, quickly finding a new home. He was promoted to the active roster on December 19, giving him his first regular-season action in the NFL. He continued to develop within Tampa Bay’s defensive scheme throughout the early part of the 2019 offseason.
During final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, Ledbetter was waived and placed on injured reserve. He was later released from injured reserve with an injury settlement on September 11, 2019, closing out his first stint with the Buccaneers.
Baltimore Ravens and Buccaneers Second Stint (2019–2020)
On October 2, 2019, Ledbetter signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, briefly joining one of the league’s top defenses. His time in Baltimore was brief, as he was released on October 21, 2019.
Just one day later, on October 22, 2019, he was re-signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad, beginning his second stint with the franchise. Ledbetter signed a reserve/future contract with Tampa Bay on December 30, 2019, and continued to push for a spot on the active roster. In 2020, he was elevated and eventually signed to the active roster, and in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, he recorded his first career sack on Chase Daniel during a 47–7 win. That season ended with a Super Bowl LV championship when the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.
Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2021–2024)
After being given an exclusive-rights free agent tender by Tampa Bay in March 2021, Ledbetter was waived on August 31. On September 3, 2021, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad before being released on October 26.
On November 1, 2021, Ledbetter signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2022, but was waived and placed on injured reserve the following August. After his release, he returned to Jacksonville’s practice squad on October 12 and was signed to the active roster on December 28. Ledbetter re-signed with the Jaguars on March 8, 2024, continuing his role with the franchise through the end of that season.
New York Giants Era (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Jeremiah Ledbetter signed with the New York Giants, joining yet another NFL defensive line room. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the team’s final roster cuts ahead of the regular season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ledbetter’s signature career moment came in 2020 when he earned a Super Bowl championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. Earlier that same season, he recorded his first career sack against Chase Daniel during a Week 16 victory over the Detroit Lions. He has appeared on active rosters and practice squads across seven different NFL organizations.
Jeremiah Ledbetter Career Highlights
Across his NFL career, Jeremiah Ledbetter has been a steady rotational defensive lineman and practice squad contributor. His Super Bowl LV ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands as the crowning achievement of his professional journey, while his first career sack against the Detroit Lions in 2020 remains a notable milestone.
Jeremiah Ledbetter Family
Personal Life
Jeremiah Ledbetter was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and remains connected to his roots in the Sunshine State. Public details about his immediate family and personal relationships are limited.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL offseason brought Jeremiah Ledbetter to the New York Giants, who signed him on March 14, 2025. He competed for a depth role along the Giants’ defensive line throughout training camp and the preseason, offering veteran interior pass-rushing ability. His experience on multiple practice squads and active rosters gave him a reliable understanding of different defensive schemes.
On August 26, 2025, Ledbetter was released by the Giants as part of the league’s final roster cuts. As a veteran free agent, he remains available to sign with teams in need of defensive line depth as the 2025 regular season unfolds.