The San Francisco 49ers have built up a strong core of players that help them maintain a top-flight offense as well as defense. One component that they added this season that's already paying dividends for the team is Javon Hargrave. The 8-year veteran has been instantly impactful for the 49ers and has given the team's elite defense another significant edge. However, for fans of the Salisbury, North Carolina native, this trajectory began back in college.
After joining nearby South Carolina State as a freshman, he spent the first year as a redshirt freshman, tallying 45 tackles to go along with 4.5 sacks. His impressive outing continued in his sophomore season, with another strong season.
His junior season is when he truly came into his own. Behind an FCS record 6 sacks game, he ended the season as the third-highest sacks recorder and earned a spot on the First-team All-MEAC. He would improve his numbers across the board in his senior season, with strong numbers in every major statistical category, earning a second straight First-Team All-MEAC selection.
A strong showing in the pre-draft process along with the NFL Scouting Combine saw his stock rise further, with a spot in the third or fourth round the expected number. The ever-dominant Mike Tomlin-Pittsburgh Steelers defense selected Hargarve to add to their defensive ranks with the 89th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Javon Hargrave's Age
As of February 2024, Javon Hargrave is 31 years old. He was born on February 7th, 1993 in Salisbury, North Carolina and has already solidified himself as one of the better defensive tackles in the league today. However, his journey began in the preseason of his first year as a professional athlete.
After competing for a spot on the starting lineup, impressive performances in training camp paved the way for Hargrave to take over the role. After a strong rookie season, he solidified himself in the starting role and was a key ingredient in their playoff run.
Despite a couple of strong showings throughout his rookie contract, the Steelers chose to prioritize other notable free agents. As a result, Hargrave found a new home with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year deal. Under Philly, he exploded into one of the best defensive tackles in the league. After a strong 2020, he would tally his best year in 2021. Despite the Eagles missing the playoffs, Hargrove was recognized for his incredible season, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
Javon Hargrave Height
Javon Hargrave stands at an impressive 6 feet 2 inches, and his size allows him to stop oncoming rushers. This came into play during the Philadelphia turnaround of 2022 when they made the Super Bowl where he was instrumental to their entire run.
However, with a Jalen Hurts max contract extension looming, the team could not afford to allocate additional resources to Hargrove. Hence, a contract with the San Francisco 49ers opened up, bringing him to the Bay Area. In his very first season, Hargrove has continued his streak of excellent performances, netting the 2nd Pro Bowl honor of his career.
FAQ's on Javon Hargrave Age
A. Ever since his very first collegiate sack, Javon Hargrave carried the nickname Grave Digger.
A. A contract extension for Javon Hargrave would have come with a heavy price tag, one that the Philadelphia Eagles could not afford given the contract extension looming for Jalen Hurts.
A. With two other defensive linemen under big-money contracts, the Pittsburgh Steelers could not afford to extend Javon Hargrave to a high-paying deal.
A. Ideal for the defensive tackle position, Javon Hargrave stands at six feet and two inches tall.
A. After spending three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles each, Javon Hargrave signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers for the 2023 season.