Desmond Trufant

Desmond Trufant

Trufant in 2013
No. 21  Atlanta Falcons
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: September 10, 1990
Place of birth: Tacoma, Washington
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Tacoma (WA) Woodrow Wilson
College: Washington
NFL draft: 2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 22
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Pac-12 (2012)
  • PFWA All-NFC (2014)
  • PFF Defensive Rookie of the Year (2013)
  • PFWA All-Rookie Team (2013)
  • Pro Football Focus All-Rookie Team (2013)
  • Falcons record for most passes defended by a rookie (17)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2014
Tackles: 131
Quarterback sacks: 0.0
Interceptions: 5
Forced fumbles: 1
Pass deflected: 33
Touchdowns: 0
Stats at NFL.com

Desmond Trufant (born September 10, 1990) is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Falcons in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.

Early years

Trufant attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Tacoma, Washington. He was named first-team all-state by the Seattle Times following his senior season, and also earned a spot on the Seattle Times preseason all-state team. He was named to the All-Narrows League first team as both a running back and cornerback as a senior, after posting 47 tackles and eight interceptions as a junior, when he was an All-Narrows League first-team cornerback.

He was also a standout long jumper and triple jumper on the Rams' track team, and took second place in the Class 4A state track meet in the triple jump (46 feet, 5.75 inches) and 11th in the long jump (21 feet, 2.25 inches) as a junior in 2008. He also played basketball at Wilson, earning second-team all-league as a junior.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated the 56th best cornerback in the nation. He accepted a scholarship to Washington over offers from Arizona State, Oregon and Washington State, brother Marcus' alma mater.[1]

College career

Trufant attended the University of Washington, where he played for the Washington Huskies football team from 2009 to 2012. As a senior he was a first-team All-Pacific-12 Conference selection.[2] The Huskies were ranked No.16 in the nation (second in the Pac-12) in pass defense (188.9 yards allowed per game) at the end of the regular 2012 college football season.

Professional career

2013 NFL Draft

Pre-draft measurables
Ht WtArm lengthHand size 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP
5 ft 11 58 in 190 lb31 14 in8 58 in 4.38 s 3.85 s 37 12 in 10 ft 5 in 16 reps
All values from 2013 NFL Scouting Combine[3][4]

Desmond Trufant was drafted 22nd overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2013 NFL Draft.[5]

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons signed him to a four-year deal worth $8.16 million. Trufant received a signing bonus of $4.31 million.[6] He finished his rookie season with 70 tackles (55 solo 15 assist), 17 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. He exceeded expectations, being ranked number 7 out of all cornerbacks in the league by Pro Football Focus.

Personal

Trufant's brothers, Marcus and Isaiah, have both played cornerback in the NFL.[7][8][9]

References