Who is Trevon Diggs? Trevon Diggs is a name that echoes in the NFL, especially among Dallas Cowboys fans. Born on September 20, 1998, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Diggs has become a standout cornerback known for his incredible defensive skills. From his high school days at The Avalon School to his college career at Alabama, Diggs has consistently shown his prowess on the field. Drafted by the Cowboys in 2020, he quickly made a name for himself with impressive stats and game-changing plays. With a family deeply rooted in football, including his brother Stefon Diggs, Trevon's journey is both inspiring and remarkable.
Key Takeaways:
- Trevon Diggs, from Maryland, excelled in high school and college, showcasing his football skills. His breakout NFL season in 2021 earned him recognition and a lucrative contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys.
- Family support and hard work shaped Trevon Diggs' football journey. His interception records and defensive prowess have made him a valuable asset to the Cowboys, securing his place in NFL history.
Early Life and High School Career
Trevon Diggs' journey to NFL stardom began in Maryland, where his early life and high school career laid the foundation for his future success.
- Birth and Early Life: Trevon De'Sean Diggs was born on September 20, 1998, in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
- High School Career: Diggs attended Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, before transferring to The Avalon School in Wheaton, Maryland, to follow his football coach Tyree Spinner.
- High School Achievements: As a junior at The Avalon School, Diggs tallied 78 receptions for 1,008 yards and 15 touchdowns. As a senior, he had 1,269 receiving yards and was a two-time All-Washington, D.C. Metro selection at receiver.
College Career at Alabama
Diggs' college years at Alabama were pivotal in shaping his skills and preparing him for the NFL.
- College Commitment: Diggs committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.
- College Career: Diggs began his college career at Alabama as a true freshman in 2016, playing safety, wide receiver, and return specialist. He finished the year with five tackles and one forced fumble on defense, 11 receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown on offense, and 296 total return yards on special teams.
- Sophomore Year: In his sophomore year (2017), Diggs switched to cornerback full-time and started the season opener against Florida State. He posted six tackles and three passes defended. He also played on special teams, returning 18 punts for 154 yards with a long of 21 yards and two kickoffs for 74 yards.
- Junior Year: As a junior in 2018, Diggs started the first six games of the season before being lost for the year with a broken foot he suffered against Arkansas. He finished the year with 20 tackles and an interception.
- Senior Year: In his senior year (2019), Diggs started 12 games, registering 37 tackles, three interceptions (tied for second on the team), eight passes defensed (tied for the team lead), and two fumble recoveries, including a 100-yard touchdown return against Tennessee.
NFL Draft and Rookie Season
Diggs' transition to the NFL marked the beginning of a promising professional career.
- Professional Draft: Diggs was drafted in the second round (51st overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2020 NFL draft.
- 2020 Season: In his rookie season (2020), Diggs played in 12 games, starting 11. He recorded 49 tackles, nine assists, and three interceptions, with 14 passes defended and 43 yards in interception returns. He also had one sack and zero fumble recoveries.
Breakout Season and Records
The 2021 season was a breakout year for Diggs, filled with remarkable achievements and records.
- 2021 Season: The 2021 season was a breakout year for Diggs. He played in all 16 games, starting every one. He led the league with 11 interceptions, which tied the Cowboys' single-season record held by Everson Walls (1981). Diggs also had 56 tackles and 21 passes defensed. His performance earned him First Team All-Pro recognition.
- Interception Records: Diggs's 11 interceptions in the 2021 season tied an NFL record for most consecutive games with an interception to start a season (six games). He also joined Hall of Famer Rod Woodson in recording seven interceptions in the first six games of a season.
- Defensive Player of the Month: In September 2021, Diggs was awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Month for his outstanding performance.
- Defensive Player of the Week: In Week 4 of the 2021 season, Diggs earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording four tackles and two interceptions in a 36-28 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Continued Success and Contract Extension
Diggs continued to impress in the following seasons, securing his future with the Cowboys.
- 2022 Season: In the 2022 season, Diggs continued to impress with a career-high 59 combined tackles. He added three interceptions and one fumble recovery as the Cowboys finished 12-5 on the season.
- Contract Extension: On Tuesday, Diggs signed a 5-year extension worth over $100 million, securing his future with the Dallas Cowboys.
Family and Early Influences
Family played a crucial role in shaping Diggs' football career, with significant influence from his father and brother.
- Family Background: Diggs comes from a football-loving family. His father, Aron Diggs, was instrumental in their early football development, requiring both Stefon and Trevon to complete homework, prayers, and daily workouts before bedtime.
- Brotherly Bond: Stefon Diggs, the older brother, played a significant role in Trevon's early football career. Stefon would often drag Trevon to daily workouts and maintain a high level of focus and intensity during games.
High School Football Experience
Diggs' high school years were marked by exceptional performances and accolades.
- High School Football Experience: At The Avalon School, Trevon was a two-way starter, playing both defensive back and wide receiver. His exceptional skills on the field earned him multiple All-Washington, D.C. Metro selections.
College Switch and Injury
Diggs' college career saw significant changes and challenges, including a switch to cornerback and a major injury.
- College Switch to Cornerback: In his sophomore year at Alabama, Diggs switched to cornerback full-time. This move proved pivotal in his development as a defensive player.
- Injury in Junior Year: A broken foot suffered during his junior year at Alabama forced Diggs to miss the remainder of the season. Despite this setback, he continued to work hard and eventually recovered fully.
Senior Year Achievements
Diggs' senior year at Alabama showcased his defensive prowess and set the stage for his NFL career.
- Senior Year Achievements: In his senior year at Alabama, Diggs started 12 games and recorded impressive statistics. He had 37 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries. His 100-yard touchdown return against Tennessee was particularly notable.
NFL Draft Preparation
Diggs' preparation for the NFL draft involved rigorous training and dedication.
- NFL Draft Preparation: Before the 2020 NFL draft, Diggs underwent rigorous training and preparation. His hard work paid off when he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round.
Rookie Season Performance
Diggs quickly established himself as a valuable asset to the Cowboys' defense during his rookie season.
- Rookie Season Performance: In his rookie season (2020), Diggs quickly established himself as a valuable asset to the Cowboys' defense. He played in 12 games, starting 11, and recorded 49 tackles, nine assists, and three interceptions.
Breakout Season (2021)
The 2021 season was a breakout year for Diggs, filled with remarkable achievements and records.
- Breakout Season (2021): The 2021 season was a breakout year for Diggs. He led the league with 11 interceptions, tied the Cowboys' single-season record, and earned First Team All-Pro recognition.
Interception Records and Awards
Diggs' 2021 season saw him achieve significant interception records and earn prestigious awards.
- Interception Records: Diggs's 11 interceptions in the 2021 season tied an NFL record for most consecutive games with an interception to start a season (six games). He also joined Hall of Famer Rod Woodson in recording seven interceptions in the first six games of a season.
- Defensive Player of the Month: In September 2021, Diggs was awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Month for his outstanding performance.
- Defensive Player of the Week: In Week 4 of the 2021 season, Diggs earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording four tackles and two interceptions in a 36-28 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Career Statistics and Achievements
Diggs' career statistics and achievements highlight his impact on the field.
- Career Statistics: As of the end of the 2023 season, Diggs has played in 47 games, starting 46. He has recorded 18 interceptions, 203 tackles, and one sack. His defensive prowess has earned him multiple Pro Bowl selections and First Team All-Pro recognition.
- Pro Bowl Selections: Diggs has been selected to the Pro Bowl multiple times, a testament to his consistent performance on the field.
- First Team All-Pro Recognition: His outstanding performance in the 2021 season earned him First Team All-Pro recognition, a prestigious honor in the NFL.
Interception Returns and Fumble Recoveries
Diggs' ability to return interceptions for touchdowns and recover fumbles adds to his defensive impact.
- Interception Returns: Diggs has returned interceptions for touchdowns on multiple occasions, including an 84-yard return against the Eagles and an 11-yard return against the Washington Football Team.
- Fumble Recoveries: In addition to his interceptions, Diggs has also recovered fumbles, including a 100-yard touchdown return against Tennessee in his senior year at Alabama.
Defensive Skills and Challenges
Diggs' defensive skills are impressive, but he also faces challenges on the field.
- Passes Defended: Diggs is known for his ability to defend passes, with a career-high 21 passes defensed in the 2021 season.
- Tackles: He has consistently recorded high tackle numbers, including a career-high 59 combined tackles in the 2022 season.
- Sack Record: Diggs has one sack in his career, which he recorded during his rookie season in 2020.
- Penalties in Coverage: Despite his defensive prowess, Diggs has been penalized nine times in coverage, highlighting the challenges he faces on the field.
- Yards Given Up Per Snap: His yards given up per snap have been middle-of-the-pack, not elite numbers, but still respectable given the high level of competition in the NFL.
- Coverage Grade: Diggs's coverage grade ranked 35th out of 87 qualified cornerbacks in the 2022 season, showing improvement from his 44th ranking in the 2021 season.
- Double-Move Routes: In the 2021 season, Diggs gave up five catches on double-move routes, all for huge gains, which highlighted his vulnerability to big plays.
Ball Skills and Training Camp Dynamics
Diggs' ball skills and training camp dynamics contribute to his overall performance.
- Ball Skills: Despite his defensive strengths, Diggs has exceptional ball skills, which he developed during his college days as a wide receiver and return specialist.
- Interception Drops: In the 2021 season, Diggs dropped two interceptions, which could have altered the narrative around his defensive performance.
- Training Camp Dynamics: During training camp, Diggs engages in trash talk with teammates like Dak Prescott, which is seen as a welcome sight by the team's management.
Recovery and Team Dynamics
Diggs' recovery from injury and his role within the team dynamics are crucial to his success.
- Recovery from Injury: After suffering a season-ending injury, Diggs has shown significant progress in his recovery, with a realistic target date for his return to training camp.
- Team Dynamics: Diggs plays alongside other top defensive players, including Micah Parsons, which enhances the overall defensive performance of the Cowboys.
Coaching Praise and Secondary Strategy
Coaching praise and secondary strategy highlight Diggs' impact on the team's defense.
- Coaching Praise: Cowboys coordinator Dan Quinn has praised Diggs for his physicality and two takeaways, highlighting his impact on the team's defense.
- Secondary Strategy: Diggs has emphasized the importance of not throwing the ball to his side of the field, reflecting the Cowboys' secondary strategy to limit opponents' passing options.
Contract Negotiations and Draft Comparison
Contract negotiations and draft comparisons provide insight into Diggs' value to the team.
- Contract Negotiations: The Cowboys face a contract conundrum with Diggs, who is scheduled to hit free agency next season. His play has yet to fully match his reputation, leading to debates about his value to the team.
- Draft Comparison: Diggs was drafted after Byron Jones, a former first-round pick whom the Cowboys let walk in free agency. This comparison highlights the uncertainty surrounding Diggs's future with the team.
Family Influence and Legacy
The Diggs family's influence and legacy in football are significant aspects of Trevon's career.
- Family Influence: The Diggs brothers grew up in a football-loving family. Their father, Aron, played a crucial role in their early football development, requiring them to maintain a high level of work ethic and focus.
Trevon Diggs: A Rising Star
Trevon Diggs has quickly become a standout player in the NFL. From his early days at Thomas S. Wootton High School to his impressive college career at Alabama, Diggs has shown exceptional talent and determination. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, he made an immediate impact, especially during his breakout 2021 season with 11 interceptions. His ability to read the game, combined with his ball skills, makes him a formidable cornerback. Off the field, his family's influence, especially his brother Stefon, has played a significant role in his development. With a recent contract extension securing his future with the Cowboys, Diggs is set to continue his rise. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as he aims to build on his already impressive career. Trevon Diggs is not just a name to remember; he's a player to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this page helpful?
Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.