Jonathan Ledbetter

Jonathan Ledbetter
refer to caption
Ledbetter playing for Georgia in 2018
Personal information
Born: (1997-09-12) September 12, 1997 (age 27)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:282 lb (128 kg)
Career information
High school:Tucker (GA)
College:Georgia
Position:Defensive end
Undrafted:2019
Career history
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:26
Sacks:1.5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jonathan Leroy Ledbetter (born September 12, 1997) is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football for Georgia.

Early years

Ledbetter grew up in Tucker, Georgia and attended Tucker High School. He was considered by most scouting services to be a top ten defensive end in his class and was selected to play in the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game.[1] Ledbetter initially committed to play college football for the University of Alabama, but de-committed and decided to play at the University of Georgia.[2]

College career

Ledbetter played four seasons for the Georgia Bulldogs. After serving a suspension for the first six games of the season stemming from off the field issues, He entered the starting lineup during his sophomore year and finished the season with 24 tackles and a sack in seven games played.[3] As a junior, making 38 tackles (5.5 for loss) with 2.5 sacks in 15 games (11 starts) in Georgia's run to the Playoff National Championship Game.[4] In his senior season, Ledbetter led all Georgia defensive linemen with 56 tackles and finished second on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss with a sack and two forced fumbles and was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference by the league's coaches.[5] He finished his collegiate career with 122 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.[6] Following the end his final season, Ledbetter received an invitation to play in the 2019 Senior Bowl.[7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+3⁄4 in
(1.92 m) 		280 lb
(127 kg) 		34+1⁄2 in
(0.88 m) 		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		 5.14 s 1.70 s 2.97 s 4.69 s 7.72 s 26.5 in
(0.67 m)		 9 ft 0 in
(2.74 m)		 22 reps
Sources:[8][9]

Miami Dolphins

Ledbetter signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019 and made the team out of training camp.[10] Ledbetter made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, starting at defensive end and making four tackles with a combined sack in a 59-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.[11] He was placed on injured reserve on September 12, 2019.[12] He was waived with a non-football injury designation on April 21, 2020,[13] and reverted to the team's reserve/non-football injury list the next day.[14]

On August 31, 2021, Ledbetter was waived by the Dolphins.[15]

Arizona Cardinals

On September 3, 2021, Ledbetter was signed to the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.[16] On February 9, 2022, Ledbetter signed a reserve/future contract.[17]

Ledbetter made the Cardinals roster in 2022 as a backup defensive end. He played in 14 games with three starts, recording 22 tackles and one sack.[18] On January 7, 2023, he was placed on season–ending injured reserve after suffering a knee injury against the Atlanta Falcons.[19]

Ledbetter entered the 2023 season as a starting defensive end. In 12 starts, he recorded 46 tackles and 1.5 sacks.[20]

Personal

Ledbetter's older brother, Joseph, played basketball at Pfeiffer University for two years before transferring Georgia and joining the Bulldogs football team as a tight end.[21]

Ledbetter was arrested on March 20, 2016 for possession fake ID and underage possession of alcohol. The charges were later dropped, but he was originally suspended for the Georgia's season opener.[22] That same offseason, Ledbetter was arrest for driven under the influence on July 10, 2016 after he was found asleep behind the wheel of his car by police. He was suspended indefinitely by head coach Kirby Smart, missing the first six games of the 2016 season before being reinstated by the program on October 11, 2016 after completing an education, counseling and medical assistance program.[23]

References

  1. ^ Parker, Carla (October 17, 2014). "Ledbetter receives Under Armour all-American jersey". The Champion. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  2. ^ Champlin, Drew (January 13, 2019). "Jonathan Ledbetter's mom explains why son switched commitment from Alabama to Georgia". AL.com. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  3. ^ Butt, Jason (April 22, 2017). "Following arrests, Ledbetter realized it was time to mature and focus on football". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  4. ^ Hicks, Karsen (January 16, 2018). "Jonathan Ledbetter Makes NFL Decision, Posts Sincere Letter To Fans". UGA Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  5. ^ Queen, Henry (May 8, 2019). "Analyzing former Georgia defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter's fit with the Miami Dolphins". The Red & Black. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  6. ^ Hicks, Zach (April 11, 2019). "Colts Prospect Interviews: Jonathan Ledbetter, Defensive End, Georgia". StampedeBlue.com. SB Nation. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  7. ^ Fryburger, Jason (January 23, 2019). "Reese's Senior Bowl guide: how to keep up with DE Jonathan Ledbetter, LS Nick Moore". UGA Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  8. ^ "Jonathan Ledbetter Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  9. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Jonathan Ledbetter College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  10. ^ Rowe, Jake (April 27, 2019). "Four Bulldogs to sign as undrafted free agents". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  11. ^ Poupart, Alain (September 8, 2019). "Dolphins Drop Season Opener To Ravens". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  12. ^ Burke, Peter (September 12, 2019). "Carradine re-signs with Dolphins after Ledbetter placed on IR". Local10.com.
  13. ^ @MiamiDolphins (April 21, 2020). "We have waived defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter with a non-football injury designation" (Tweet). Retrieved April 21, 2020 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Dolphins' Jonathan Ledbetter: Moves to non-football injury list". CBSSports.com. April 22, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  15. ^ "Roster Moves: Dolphins Announce Roster Moves - August 31". MiamiDolphins.com. August 31, 2021.
  16. ^ Urban, Darren (September 3, 2021). "Former First-Round Pick Josh Doctson Lands On Practice Squad". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  17. ^ Root, Jess (February 10, 2022). "Cardinals sign DL Jonathan Ledbetter to 'futures' deal". Cardinalswire.com.
  18. ^ "Jonathan Ledbetter 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  19. ^ "Cardinlas place S Chris Banjo, DL Jonathan Ledbetter on IR". cardswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  20. ^ "Jonathan Ledbetter 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  21. ^ Sobleski, Brent (July 28, 2014). "Georgia adds brother of Alabama recruit". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  22. ^ Zucker, Joseph (March 23, 2016). "Jonathan Ledbetter Will Be Suspended for Georgia's Season Opener After Arrest". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  23. ^ Cooper, Sam (October 11, 2016). "Georgia DL Jonathan Ledbetter reinstated after 6-game suspension". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 11, 2019.