Vernon Hargreaves

Summary

Vernon Hargreaves III (born June 3, 1995) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Florida and was selected 11th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2016 NFL draft.

Vernon Hargreaves III
refer to caption
Hargreaves with the Houston Texans in 2019
No. 28, 26, 29
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1995-06-03) June 3, 1995 (age 28)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Wharton (Tampa, Florida)
College:Florida (2013–2015)
NFL draft:2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:290
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:31
Interceptions:4
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years edit

Hargreaves attended Wharton High School in Tampa, Florida, where he played football.[1] As a sophomore in 2010, he had 44 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. As a junior in 2011, he had 49 tackles and two interceptions, along with 11 offensive touchdowns. As a senior in 2012, he had 110 tackles and five interceptions. He was recognized as the most valuable player (MVP) of the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game.[2]

In addition to football, Hargreaves competed in track & field at Wharton. As a senior in 2012, he posted a personal-best time of 22.56 seconds in the 200-meter dash at the Hillsborough County National Division.[3] At the FHSAA District Meet, he placed fourth in the 100-meter dash (11.10 s), second in the long jump (22 ft 3+12 in or 6.79 m) and twelfth in the high jump (5 ft 10 in or 1.78 m).[4]

Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Hargreaves was ranked as the nation's best cornerback recruit and the second best player overall.[5]

College career edit

Hargreaves accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he played for head coaches Will Muschamp and Jim McElwain's Florida Gators football teams in Southeastern Conference (SEC) competition in 2013, 2014, and 2015. As a true freshman in 2013, he started 10 of 12 games, recording 38 tackles and three interceptions, and received first-team All-SEC honors at the cornerback position.[6][7] As a sophomore, he played 12 games with three interceptions, 13 passes defended, and two fumble recoveries on 50 tackles. As a junior, he made four interceptions, a forced fumble, and four passes defended on 33 tackles in 12 games; he earned All-SEC honors for the third consecutive year.[8] After his junior year, he announced his intentions forgo his senior season and enter the 2016 NFL draft.[9]

Statistics edit

Season GP Defense
Cmb TfL PD Int FF
2013 14 38 0.0 10 3 0
2014 14 50 2.0 13 3 0
2015 13 33 1.0 4 4 1
Career 41 121 3.0 27 10 1

Professional career edit

Pre-draft edit

Hargreaves was projected to be a first round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts.[10] He was ranked the top cornerback prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com and NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah; was ranked the second best cornerback in the draft by NFL analysts Mike Mayock, Lance Zierlein, and Bucky Brooks; and was ranked the second best defensive back in the draft by Sports Illustrated and NFL analyst Charles Davis.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

External videos
  Hargreaves' NFL Combine Workout
  Vernon Hargreaves' 40-yard dash
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+12 in
(1.79 m)
204 lb
(93 kg)
30+58 in
(0.78 m)
8+34 in
(0.22 m)
4.50 s 1.58 s 2.62 s 3.98 s 39 in
(0.99 m)
10 ft 10 in
(3.30 m)
15 reps
All values from NFL Combine[17][18]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers edit

2016 edit

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Hargreaves in the first round (11th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.[19][20] He was the third cornerback to be selected after Jalen Ramsey and Eli Apple, and the first of seven Florida Gators in 2016.[21] On May 6, 2016, the Buccaneers signed Hargreaves to a fully guaranteed four-year, $14.17 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $8.51 million.[22]

External videos
  Buccaneers draft Hargreaves 11th overall
  Vernon Hargreaves' Draft Interview

Throughout training camp, he participated in an open competition for starting cornerback against Brent Grimes, Johnthan Banks, Alterraun Verner, Jude Adjei-Barimah, and Joel Ross.[23] Head coach Dirk Koetter named Hargreaves to be the third cornerback on the depth chart, behind Grimes and Verner.[24]

He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Buccaneers' season-opener at the Atlanta Falcons and recorded two combined tackles during a 31–24 victory. He made his first career tackle on wide receiver Justin Hardy in the first quarter.[25] On October 30, Hargreaves collected a season-high eight solo tackles and two pass deflections during a 30–24 overtime loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 8.[26] In Week 14, he made three solo tackles, broke up a pass, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Drew Brees in the Buccaneers' 16–11 victory against the New Orleans Saints.[27] He finished his rookie season with 76 combined tackles (68 solo), nine pass deflections, and an interception in 16 games with 16 starts.[28]

2017 edit

Koetter retained Grimes and Hargreaves as the starting cornerbacks to begin the 2017 regular season. On October 1, 2017, Hargreaves recorded a career-high nine solo tackles and deflected a pass during a 25–23 victory against the New York Giants in Week 4.[29] In Week 8, he tied his season-high of two pass deflections and recorded six combined tackles during a 17–3 loss to the Carolina Panthers.[30] On November 12, Hargreaves made three combined tackles before exiting the Buccaneers' 15–10 win against the New York Jets in the third quarter after sustaining a hamstring injury.[31] He was inactive for the next five games (Weeks 11–15) before the Buccaneers opted to place him on injured reserve on December 20.[32] He finished his second season with 42 combined tackles (37 solo) and five pass deflections in nine games with eight starts.[33]

2018 edit

In Week 1 against the Saints, Hargreaves recorded seven combined tackles, one pass defensed and forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Justin Evans and returned for a touchdown.[34] He suffered a shoulder injury in the game and was placed on injured reserve on September 12, 2018.[35]

2019 edit

On April 24, 2019, the Buccaneers exercised the fifth-year option on Hargreaves contract.[36] In Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, Hargreaves intercepted quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown in the 31–17 loss. In Week 2 against the Panthers, Hargreaves made 12 tackles, including a pivotal stop on fourth down; he pushed running back Christian McCaffrey out of bounds short of the first down marker in a 20–14 win.[37] After starting the first nine games of the season, Hargreaves was waived by the Buccaneers on November 12.[38][39]

Houston Texans edit

On November 13, 2019, Hargreaves was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans.[40] He was released on February 14, 2020,[41] but re-signed with the Texans on April 6.[42]

In Week 9 of the 2020 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hargreaves recorded his first interception as a Texan off a pass thrown by quarterback Jake Luton during the 27–25 win.[43]

On March 17, 2021, Hargreaves signed a contract extension with the Texans.[44] He entered the season as a starting cornerback, and started five of the eight games he played in before being released on November 3.[45]

Cincinnati Bengals edit

On November 4, 2021, Hargreaves was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.[46] Hargreaves was penalized 15 yards for running onto the field in Super Bowl LVI, despite being inactive for the game.[47] Six days later, Hargreaves was fined $5,555.[48]

NFL career statistics edit

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
2016 TB 16 16 76 68 8 0.0 9 1 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2017 TB 9 8 42 37 5 0.0 5 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 TB 1 1 7 6 1 0.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2019 TB 9 9 40 36 4 0.0 4 1 15 15.0 15 1 0 1 2 0
HOU 6 2 21 16 5 0.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 HOU 16 16 72 61 11 0.0 7 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 HOU 8 5 27 20 7 0.0 3 1 18 18.0 18 0 0 0 0 0
CIN 4 1 5 1 4 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 69 58 290 245 45 0.0 31 4 33 8.3 18 1 2 1 2 0

Personal life edit

His father Vernon Hargreaves Jr. is a college football coach who won a national championship as the linebackers coach for the Miami Hurricanes in 2001. His father was an All-American at University of Connecticut in 1984 and 1985, and then played professionally in the Italian Football League[49]

References edit

  1. ^ "Wharton football coach remembers Hargreaves, III's talent, work ethic". Bay News 9. April 29, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  2. ^ Hutchins, Andy (January 4, 2013). "Can't miss: The Vernon Hargreaves Show". Alligator Army. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Hillsborough County National Division (Western Conference) 2012 - Complete Results (Raw)". flrunners.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  4. ^ "FHSAA 4A District 6 2012 - Complete Results (Raw)". flrunners.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  5. ^ "Vernon Hargreaves III, 2013 Cornerback". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  6. ^ Paschall, David (July 23, 2014). "Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves shining star in Florida's 2013 disappointment". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "Hargreaves, Fowler and Purifoy Named to 2013 AP All-SEC Teams". Florida Gators Athletics. December 9, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  8. ^ "Gators' Hargreaves makes All-SEC first team". Tampa Bay Times. December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Baker, Matt (January 4, 2016). "Vernon Hargreaves officially leaving Florida Gators for NFL draft". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "*Vernon Hargreaves, DS No. 1 CB, Florida". draftscout.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  11. ^ Burke, Chris (April 12, 2016). "2016 NFL Draft Rankings". SI.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  12. ^ Mayock, Mike (April 27, 2016). "Mike Mayock's 2016 NFL Draft position rankings 5.0". NFL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  13. ^ Jeremiah, Daniel (February 18, 2016). "Ranking top 50 prospects for 2016 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  14. ^ Davis, Charles (March 4, 2016). "Charles Davis' top 50 prospects for 2016 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  15. ^ Zierlein, Lance (March 4, 2016). "Lance Zierlein's top 50 prospects for 2016 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  16. ^ Brooks, Bucky (March 4, 2016). "Bucky Brooks' top 50 prospects for 2016 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  17. ^ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Vernon Hargreaves". National Football League.
  18. ^ "*Vernon Hargreaves III – Florida, CB : 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile".
  19. ^ "Buccaneers sign No. 11 pick CB Vernon Hargreaves". NFL.com. May 6, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  20. ^ "2016 NFL Draft Results: Buccaneers pick Vernon Hargreaves". BucsNation.com. April 28, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  21. ^ "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  22. ^ "Spotrac.com: Vernon Hargreaves contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  23. ^ Smith, Scott (June 10, 2016). "Corner Competition Looming for Buccaneers". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  24. ^ Phillips, Sander (September 6, 2016). "Buccaneers'2016 depth chart: Vernon Hargreaves shares starting job". bucsnation.com. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  25. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – September 11th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  26. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – October 30th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  27. ^ "New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – December 11th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  28. ^ "Vernon Hargreaves 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  29. ^ "New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - October 1st, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - October 29th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  31. ^ "New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - November 12th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  32. ^ Smith, Scott (December 20, 2017). "Standout Rookies Among Five Bucs Headed to IR". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017.
  33. ^ "Vernon Hargreaves 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  34. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints - September 9th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  35. ^ Smith, Scott (September 12, 2018). "Bucs Lose Vernon Hargreaves to Injured Reserve". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  36. ^ Smith, Scott (April 24, 2019). "Bucs Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Vernon Hargreaves". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  37. ^ "Bucs use goal-line stand to beat Panthers 20-14". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  38. ^ Smith, Scott (November 12, 2019). "Buccaneers Waive Vernon Hargreaves". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  39. ^ Laine, Jenna (November 12, 2019). "Buccaneers release CB Vernon Hargreaves after benching". www.espn.com. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  40. ^ "Texans claim CB Vernon Hargreaves III". HoustonTexans.com. November 13, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  41. ^ Patra, Kevin (February 14, 2020). "Roundup: Redskins cut veteran WR Paul Richardson". NFL.com. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  42. ^ "Texans agree to terms on the following moves". HoustonTexans.com. March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  43. ^ "Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars - November 8th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  44. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (3-17-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. March 17, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  45. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (11-3-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. November 3, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  46. ^ "Bengals Make Four Roster Moves Ahead Of Week 9 Versus Cleveland". Bengals.com. November 4, 2021. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022.
  47. ^ Owens, Jason (February 13, 2022). "Super Bowl: Inactive Bengal Vernon Hargraves picks up penalty in street clothes". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  48. ^ DeArdo, Bryan (February 19, 2022). "NFL fines Bengals CB Vernon Hargreaves for unusual penalty during Super Bowl end zone celebration". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  49. ^ "Veteran coach Hargreaves named Hogs' linebackers coach". Talk Business & Politics. October 28, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2023.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from Pro Football Reference
  • Florida Gators bio