Darnell Savage Explained

Darnell Henry Savage Jr. (born July 30, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Early life

Savage attended Caravel Academy in Bear, Delaware. He suffered a broken femur during the first game of his junior season.^[1] Savage committed to the University of Maryland to play college football.^[2]

College career

Savage played at Maryland from 2015 to 2018.^{[3] [4]} During his career, he had 182 tackles, eight interceptions, one sack and two touchdowns.^{[5] [6]}

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

Savage was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.^{[7] [8]} On May 2, 2019, Savage signed a 4-year deal worth $12.5 million,^[9] including a signing bonus of $7.1 million.^[10]

Savage made his NFL debut in the Packers' season opener against the Chicago Bears on September 5, 2019, recording three tackles and one pass deflection.^[11] In week 3 against the Denver Broncos, Savage recorded his first career interception off Joe Flacco as the Packers won 27–16.^[12] In Week 12 against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football, Savage intercepted two passes thrown by Mitchell Trubisky during the 41–25 win.^[13] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.^[14]

The Packers picked up the fifth-year option on Savage's contract on April 29, 2022.^[15] On January 1, 2023, during a Week 17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, Savage intercepted a pass thrown by Kirk Cousins and returned it 75 yards for his first NFL touchdown.^[16]

On October 25, 2023, Savage was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury.^[17] He was activated on December 2.^[18]

Savage's biggest play of the 2023 season came against the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round on January 14, 2024 when he intercepted a pass from Dak Prescott, returning it 64 yards for a touchdown, and the Packers would go on to defeat the Cowboys, 48–32.

Jacksonville Jaguars

On March 13, 2024, Savage signed a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.^[19]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles				Interceptions						Fumbles
		GP	GS	Comb	Total	Ast	Sck	PD	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FF	FR
	GB	14	14	55	42	13	0.0	5	2	37	18.5	28	0	2	0
	GB	15	15	75	56	19	1.0	12	4	13	3.3	9	0	0	1
	GB	17	17	63	48	15	0.0	9	2	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
	GB	16	13	58	43	15	0.0	5	1	75	75	75	1	0	1
	GB	10	10	51	36	15	0.0	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Career		72	69	302	225	77	1.0	32	9	125	13.9	75	1	2	2
Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

Postseason

Year	Team	Games		Tackles				Interceptions						Fumbles
		GP	GS	Comb	Total	Ast	Sck	PD	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TDs	FF	FR
	GB	2	2	13	10	3	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
	GB	2	2	4	3	1	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
	GB	1	1	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
	GB	2	2	8	5	3	0.0	2	1	64	64.0	64	1	0	0
Career		7	7	25	18	7	0.0	2	1	64	64.0	64	1	0	0
Source: pro-football-reference.com

External links

• Jacksonville Jaguars bio
• Maryland Terrapins bio

Notes and References

1. Web site: Post-injury dealings contributed to cornerback Darnell Savage committing to Terps. Matt. Zenitz. The Baltimore Sun. April 17, 2019. October 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181026125346/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/terps/tracking-the-terps/bal-postinjury-dealings-contributed-to-cornerback-darnell-savage-committing-to-terps-20150208-story.html. dead.
2. Web site: Stubbs . Roman . Delaware DB Darnell Savage commits to Maryland . Washington Post . 2014-06-24 . 2024-10-17.
3. Web site: Terps CB Darnell Savage Jr. getting his shot in freshman season. Daniel. Gallen. carrollcountytimes.com. April 17, 2019.
4. Web site: Maryland safety Darnell Savage might catch Eagles' eye; showed leadership at tough time. Les. Bowen. Philadelphia Daily News. April 17, 2019.
5. Web site: NFL Draft 2019: Maryland's Darnell Savage hopes to follow in footsteps of former Terps to NFL. Daniel. Gallen. March 27, 2019. pennlive.com. April 17, 2019.
6. Web site: NFL Draft 2019: Eagles, Jets among teams interested in Maryland's Darnell Savage following pro day. Mike. Kaye. March 28, 2019. The Star-Ledger. April 17, 2019.
7. Web site: Markus . Don . Maryland safety Darnell Savage Jr. picked No. 21 overall by Packers in NFL draft . The Baltimore Sun . April 26, 2019.
8. Web site: Quick pick: Packers trade up, take S Darnell Savage at No. 21. Packers.com. April 26, 2019.
9. News: Packers sign six draft choices. May 3, 2019. May 3, 2019. packers.com.
10. Web site: Darnell Savage.
11. Web site: Packers D, Aaron Rodgers beat Bears 10–3 in opener . September 5, 2019 . ESPN . September 5, 2019.
12. Web site: Packers remain unbeaten with 27–16 win over Broncos . September 22, 2019 . ESPN . September 22, 2019.
13. Web site: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – November 29th, 2020 . December 2, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
14. Web site: 2019 NFL All-Rookie Team . 2024-07-27 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
15. Web site: Fifth-year option tracker for first-round picks from the 2019 NFL Draft . NFL.com . 2022-04-25 . 2024-11-01.
16. Web site: Can't-Miss Play: Darnell Savage delivers 75-YARD pick-six TD vs. Cousins on fourth down . National Football League . January 2, 2023 . January 1, 2023.
17. Web site: Packers place S Darnell Savage, CB Eric Stokes on injured reserve. Packers.com. October 25, 2023.
18. Web site: Packers activate S Darnell Savage off injured reserve. Packers.com. December 2, 2023.
19. Web site: Official: Safety Darnell Savage Agreed to Terms with Jaguars. Oehser, John. Jaguars.com. March 13, 2024.