L.J. Collier Bio
Lawrence Edward “L. J.” Collier Jr. (born September 12, 1995) is an American professional football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Standing 188 centimeters tall and listed at 136 kilograms, Collier has built a career as a run-stopping edge presence since entering the league.
Following his college career at Texas Christian University, Collier transitioned to the professional ranks and developed into a reliable defensive end. He has since contributed on multiple defenses and remains an active member of the Arizona Cardinals roster.
Early Life and Background
Lawrence Edward Collier Jr. was born on September 12, 1995, in Munday, Texas. He grew up in his father’s hometown of Munday, a small community in the northern part of the state that is known for producing competitive high school football. Collier attended Munday High School, where he played for the Moguls and quickly emerged as a disruptive defender.
As a junior in 2012, Collier helped lead the Moguls to a state championship, recording six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a touchdown on an interception return to earn Defensive MVP honors for the title game. On February 5, 2014, he signed a letter of intent to attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, on a football scholarship, cementing his path toward Division I football.
Path to American Football
After his decorated high school career, Collier joined the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs and began his college journey. He redshirted during his first season on campus, using the year to develop his body and prepare for the speed of the college game. When he returned, he quickly earned a role on the defensive line.
Collier worked his way into the rotation and grew into a starter as he moved through the program, showing steady improvement each season. By his final year, he had developed into one of the top edge defenders in the Big 12 Conference and earned an invitation to the 2019 Senior Bowl, where he recorded a sack and a forced fumble to confirm his NFL readiness.
L.J. Collier Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
The Seattle Seahawks selected Collier in the first round, 29th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft, trading Frank Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs to obtain the pick used on him. As a rookie, Collier suffered multiple injuries and finished the season with just three tackles while adjusting to the professional game.
Collier began the 2020 campaign as the Seahawks’ starting defensive end after the departure of Jadeveon Clowney. He delivered one of the biggest plays of his early career when he stopped New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton at the one-yard line to seal a Week 2 Sunday Night Football victory. He later recorded his first career sack on Kirk Cousins in a Week 5 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Throughout the 2020 season, Collier became a more consistent contributor on Seattle’s defensive front. In Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football, he recorded his second career sack, taking down Kyler Murray during a 28–21 win. Those moments helped establish him as a dependable part of the Seahawks’ rotation.
Heading into the 2022 season, the Seahawks declined the fifth-year option on Collier’s rookie contract, making him a free agent after that year. He began the 2022 campaign on injured reserve before being activated on October 26, 2022, as he worked to finish out his Seattle tenure.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–Present)
On March 21, 2023, Collier signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, beginning a new chapter in his career. He was placed on injured reserve on September 16 during his first season in Arizona, limiting his early impact with the club.
Collier re-signed with the Cardinals, and on March 8, 2024, he signed a one-year contract extension. In the 2024 season, he played in all 17 games with 15 starts, recording 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks while serving as a steady presence on the defensive line. On March 12, 2025, Collier re-signed with the Cardinals on a one-year, $4,000,000 contract that runs through the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Collier is best known for his physicality at the line of scrimmage and his ability to set the edge against the run. Listed at 136 kilograms, he uses his size to anchor against double teams and disrupt running lanes, while also flashing the quickness to pressure opposing quarterbacks on passing downs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Collier’s signature moments is his goal-line stop of Cam Newton on Sunday Night Football in 2020, a play that secured a victory over the New England Patriots. His first career sack against the Minnesota Vikings later that season marked another milestone, followed by his 2024 production of 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks across a full season with the Cardinals.
L.J. Collier Career Wins
L.J. Collier’s professional career has been defined more by consistency and defensive contributions than by stat-sheet fireworks. Since being drafted in 2019, he has appeared in regular-season games for both the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals, building a reputation as a reliable edge defender.
NFL Highlights
Collier’s most memorable individual highlight remains his tackle of Cam Newton at the one-yard line in Week 2 of the 2020 season, which sealed a 35–30 Sunday Night Football win over the New England Patriots. He also recorded his first career sack against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 of that same season and added a sack of Kyler Murray in a Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond those league milestones, Collier earned First-team All-Big 12 Conference honors in 2018 after posting 6.0 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and four pass break-ups as a senior at Texas Christian University. He closed his college career with a sack in TCU’s Cheez-It Bowl victory over California and added a sack and a forced fumble at the 2019 Senior Bowl.
L.J. Collier Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Collier grew up in Munday, Texas, his father’s hometown, where the local football culture shaped his early development as a defender. While details about his parents are not publicly confirmed in available records, his upbringing in a small Texas community known for high school football played a central role in his athletic path.
Personal Life
Lawrence Edward Collier Jr. continues to reside in the United States and remains focused on his professional football career. Verified public information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not available, so further personal details are not included here.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a challenging one for L.J. Collier with the Arizona Cardinals. After re-signing with the team in March on a one-year contract, he suffered a knee injury during the Cardinals’ Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers and was placed on injured reserve on September 17. The Cardinals activated him on December 24, allowing him to return to the defensive line for the closing stretch of the season.
Even with the time missed, Collier’s presence on the edge remained an important part of Arizona’s defensive rotation, and his return helped bolster the front late in the year. His 2024 production of 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks across all 17 games had cemented his role heading into the new contract.
Looking ahead, Collier is signed with the Cardinals through the 2026 season, giving him stability as he works back from injury. His combination of run-stopping strength and pass-rush flashes continues to make him a useful piece of the Arizona defensive front.