Trayvon Mullen Bio
Trayvon Sentell Mullen Jr. is an American professional football cornerback born on September 20, 1997, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He distinguished himself as a talented athlete while attending Coconut Creek High School, where he excelled as both a wide receiver and cornerback. Mullen continued his football journey at Clemson University, showcasing his skills on a national level and playing a crucial role in helping the Clemson Tigers secure two national championships.
Selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, Mullen has since played for several teams, including the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys, and is currently with the Baltimore Ravens. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds, he has built a reputation as a physical, ball-hawking defensive back capable of contributing on the outside in press coverage.
Early Life and Background
Trayvon Sentell Mullen Jr. grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended Coconut Creek High School, where he first made his mark as a two-way player. As a senior, he lined up at both wide receiver and cornerback, tallying 45 receptions for 800 yards at 17.8 yards per catch while also handling coverage duties on defense. His performance earned him second-team USA Today All-American honors and an invitation to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Coming out of high school, Mullen was rated by ESPN as the number two cornerback in his recruiting class. Multiple powerhouse programs, including LSU, Florida State, and Alabama, extended scholarship offers before he committed to Clemson on national signing day. His combination of size, speed, and instincts made him one of the most sought-after defensive backs in the country.
Path to American Football
At Clemson, Mullen joined a program that would soon become a dynasty in college football. As a freshman, he played sporadically, recording 15 tackles and one pass breakup, and was part of the Tigers squad that won the National Championship Game against the University of Alabama. His early contributions gave him valuable experience on the sport’s biggest stage.
As a sophomore, Mullen earned significantly more playing time, registering 42 tackles, three interceptions, and seven pass breakups in 13 games with 12 starts, which earned him Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition. He recorded his first career interception against Boston College and posted nine tackles with a pass defense against North Carolina State. As a junior, he collected 37 tackles with four tackles for loss, one interception, four passes defended, and two sacks in 15 games with 14 starts.
Following his junior season, Mullen was named Defensive MVP of the National Championship Game against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, recording six tackles, one interception, one sack, and one forced fumble. He then announced he would forgo his senior year and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft, finishing his college career with 94 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and one forced fumble across 41 games with 26 starts.
Trayvon Mullen Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Mullen’s early career at Clemson was marked by steady growth into a featured role. After a limited freshman campaign, he emerged as a reliable starting cornerback by his sophomore year, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors. His junior season cemented his status as one of the top defensive backs in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
He capped his development with a Defensive MVP performance in the 2019 National Championship Game, helping Clemson secure its second title in three seasons. The award, combined with his Second-team All-ACC selection that same year, positioned him as a high draft prospect ready to make the jump to the professional ranks.
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders (2019–2021)
Trayvon Mullen was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round, 40th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, recording one tackle in a 24-16 win. In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he notched his first career interception off Ryan Finley during a 17-10 victory, finishing his rookie season with 50 tackles, 10 passes defended, and one interception.
In his second season, Mullen recorded his first interception of the year off a pass thrown by Patrick Mahomes during a Week 11 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He entered 2021 as a starting cornerback alongside Casey Hayward, but a foot injury in Week 4 landed him on injured reserve, snapping a streak of 36 consecutive games played. After returning in December, a toe injury in Week 14 sent him back to injured reserve and effectively ended his season.
Arizona Cardinals (2022)
On August 30, 2022, the Raiders traded Mullen to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a seventh-round pick that could have become a sixth-rounder if he met a games-played threshold. He appeared in limited action, being declared inactive for five of the 13 games in which he was part of the roster.
Mullen was waived by the Cardinals on December 13, 2022, a day after a 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots in which he committed a costly facemask penalty that contributed to a touchdown drive.
Dallas Cowboys (2022–2023)
Mullen was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys on December 14, 2022, brought in to provide depth at cornerback following injuries to Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis. He appeared in one game as a backup before being released on January 21, 2023.
Baltimore Ravens (2023–Present)
On January 23, 2023, the Baltimore Ravens claimed Mullen off waivers, and he re-signed with the team on March 14. He was released with a non-football injury designation on July 28 and placed on the non-football injury list. Mullen was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, as he worked his way back from health setbacks.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 2 inches and 195 pounds, Mullen fits the mold of a long, physical cornerback capable of matching up with bigger outside receivers. His college film showcased strong ball skills, with four interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 41 games, and his Defensive MVP performance in the 2019 National Championship Game demonstrated an ability to deliver in high-pressure moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mullen’s signature moment came in the 2019 National Championship Game, where his six tackles, one interception, one sack, and one forced fumble earned him Defensive MVP honors against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. He also helped Clemson capture a national title as a true freshman in 2016, making him a two-time national champion before his professional career even began.
Trayvon Mullen Career Wins
Trayvon Mullen’s trophy case centers on his two College Football Playoff national championships with Clemson in 2016 and 2018, as well as his Defensive MVP award from the 2019 title game. At the professional level, he has notched regular-season wins and individual statistical milestones with the Raiders, Cardinals, Cowboys, and Ravens, but team postseason success has been limited.
Other Wins and Performances
Mullen earned Second-team All-ACC recognition following his junior season and Honorable Mention All-ACC honors as a sophomore. He also played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl following his senior year at Coconut Creek High School, an appearance reserved for the top high school prospects in the country.
Trayvon Mullen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs deep in Mullen’s family. His younger brother, Tiawan Mullen, is also an NFL cornerback and has been a free agent. Mullen is also the cousin of former Baltimore Ravens teammate and quarterback Lamar Jackson, connecting him to one of the league’s most dynamic passers.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Mullen has remained closely tied to his family and his South Florida roots throughout his professional career. His relationships with his brother Tiawan and cousin Lamar Jackson reflect the strong family foundation that has supported his journey from Coconut Creek High School to the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Trayvon Mullen enters the 2025 season looking to reestablish himself with the Baltimore Ravens after a 2024 campaign that was interrupted by an injured-reserve stint beginning August 27. The Ravens claimed him off waivers in January 2023 and re-signed him the following March, signaling the organization’s continued belief in his upside as a cornerback.
Health will be the defining storyline for Mullen in 2025, as he works to return to full strength following the non-football injury and injured-reserve designations that limited his availability over the past two years. A return to the field would allow him to compete for a role in Baltimore’s secondary and contribute to a Ravens defense that has consistently ranked among the league’s best.
If Mullen can stay on the field, his physical profile and championship pedigree from Clemson could make him a valuable depth piece for a Ravens team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. His connection to Lamar Jackson through family ties adds an extra layer of familiarity to his fit in Baltimore’s locker room.