TJ Metcalf
| No. 18 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Safety |
| Class | Sophomore |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | May 6, 2005 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| High school | Pinson Valley (Pinson, Alabama) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
SEC Defensive Player of the Week ESPN CFB Final Helmet Sticker | |
Tarrus “TJ” Metcalf , Jr. (born May 6, 2005) is an American college football safety who most recently played for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was born in Oxford, MS to parents Tarrus Metcalf, Sr. and Neely Lott Metcalf both graduates of The University of Mississippi.
Early life
[edit]Metcalf attended Pinson Valley High School located in Pinson, Alabama. Coming out of high school, Metcalf was rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, where he committed to play college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks.[1][2] Metcalf played as a starter in the AL/MS All-Star game in 2022 where he caught the game-clinching interception securing the win for Alabama.
Metcalf played under former college and NFL safety, Sam Shade who is currently the head coach of the Miles College football team.
College career
[edit]During Metcalf's first collegiate season in 2023, he appeared in all twelve games for Arkansas where he notched 15 tackles and a fumble recovery.[3][4] In week two of the 2024 season, Metcalf tallied 12 tackles, versus the Oklahoma State Cowboys.[5] In week three, Metcalf had an interception to help the Razorbacks clinch a 37-27 win over the UAB Blazers.[6] In week four, Metcalf had a breakout game notchimg four tackles, two pass deflections, two interceptions, and a forced fumble which prevented a touchdown, as he led the Razorbacks to a 24-14 win over Auburn.[7][8] For his performance in week four versus the Auburn Tigers, Metcalf was named the SEC defensive player of the week.[9] Metcalf became the first Razorback with at least two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in a game since safety Kenoy Kennedy did it against South Carolina in 1999 during a 48-14 Arkansas win in Little Rock.
On December 9, 2024, Metcalf announced that he would enter the transfer portal.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Metcalf is the cousin of former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf, father of current NFL wide receiver, DK Metcalf.[11][12]
His younger brother, Tevis, also played football at Arkansas.
References
[edit]- ^ Rushin, Jerrell (1 July 2022). "Arkansas football lands TJ Metcalf, 2023 three-star safety and Ole Miss legacy". Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Victory, Dennis (July 2022). "Pinson Valley defensive back TJ Metcalf commits to Arkansas". AL.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ "TJ Metcalf 2023 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Holt, Bob (25 July 2024). "Double the Metcalfs: Freshman Tevis joins brother TJ at Arkansas". The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Holt, Bob (14 September 2024). "TJ Metcalf close with Blazer WR". The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Holt, Bob (22 September 2024). "'Bad to the bone': Hogs safety Metcalf has hand in 4 TOs". The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Fuller, Jackson (21 September 2024). "Arkansas football's TJ Metcalf delivers heroic performance in win over Auburn". Southwest Times Record. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Kirk, Otis (September 22, 2024). "TJ Metcalf making most of opportunity". NWAH.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Tom (24 September 2024). "Razorback report: SEC names Arkansas' Metcalf defensive player of the week". The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Choate, Mason (December 9, 2024). "Metcalf brothers to transfer from Arkansas". HawgBeat. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ Rushin, Jerrell (6 May 2022). "DK Metcalf's cousin TJ is a 2023 Alabama high school football recruit who wants to make name for himself". Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Fair, Daniel (12 August 2024). "Woodson tabs TJ Metcalf as 'most improved' in Arkansas secondary". Rivals.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.