Derek Stingley Jr. Bio
Derek Stingley Jr. (born June 20, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Texans third overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Stingley Jr. has emerged as one of the premier cornerbacks in professional football, earning First-team All-Pro honors in both 2024 and 2025 while becoming the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history following a landmark contract extension.
Early Life and Background
Derek Stingley Jr. attended The Dunham School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During his high school career he recorded 27 career interceptions. As a senior, he was named the Louisiana Gatorade Football Player of the Year. Stingley Jr. was rated as a five-star recruit and was ranked as the top overall player in his class by Rivals.com. He committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) to play college football.
Path to Professional Football
Stingley Jr. entered his freshman year at LSU in 2019 as a starter. He helped lead the Tigers to an undefeated 15-0 season and a College Football Playoff National Championship. As a freshman, he led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with six interceptions, 21 passes defended, and was a first-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press. He earned consensus All-American honors, receiving first-team recognition from the AP, American Football Coaches Association, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and USA Today. In the following season, Stingley missed three games due to illness and injuries but still earned All-SEC first-team honors. Following an injury-plagued junior season in which he started just three games, Stingley declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine but was unable to perform physical drills as he was still recovering from Lisfranc foot surgery.
Derek Stingley Jr. Career
Houston Texans Beginnings (2022)
The Houston Texans selected Stingley Jr. in the first round (third overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. With his selection, he tied with Shawn Springs and Jeff Okudah as the highest-drafted cornerbacks in NFL history. He also became the highest drafted cornerback in Houston Texans franchise history. On May 13, 2022, Stingley signed a fully-guaranteed four-year, $34.65 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $22.85 million. He entered training camp projected as the No. 1 starting cornerback. Head coach Lovie Smith named him a starting cornerback to begin the season alongside Steven Nelson.
On September 11, 2022, Stingley made his professional regular season debut and earned his first career start against the Indianapolis Colts, recording seven combined tackles and one pass deflection during an overtime tie. In Week 3, he recorded his first career sack on quarterback Justin Fields. On October 9, 2022, he made his first career interception during a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On December 17, 2022, the Texans placed him on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury and high-ankle sprain. He finished his rookie season with 43 combined tackles, five passes defensed, one sack, and one interception in nine games and nine starts. He did not allow a touchdown reception throughout his nine appearances.
DeMeco Ryans Era (2023–Present)
On January 31, 2023, the Houston Texans hired DeMeco Ryans as their new head coach. Stingley entered training camp slated as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback under new defensive coordinator Matt Burke. On September 23, 2023, the Texans placed him on injured reserve after he sustained a hamstring injury during practice. He was activated on November 11, 2023. He made an immediate impact upon his return, recording interceptions in three consecutive games against Arizona, Jacksonville, and Denver. His performance in Week 13 earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished the 2023 season with 39 combined tackles, 13 pass deflections, and a career-high five interceptions in 11 games and 11 starts.
The Houston Texans finished the 2023 NFL season first in the AFC South with a 10-7 record, clinching a playoff berth in their first season under Ryans. Stingley started in the Wild-Card victory against the Cleveland Browns and the Divisional Round loss at the Baltimore Ravens.
Entering the 2024 season, Stingley returned as the No. 1 starting cornerback alongside rookie Kamari Lassiter. In Week 15, he earned his second AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor after recording two interceptions against the Miami Dolphins. He started all 17 games for the first time in his career, recording 54 combined tackles, a career-high 18 pass deflections, and five interceptions. He earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors. The Texans finished atop the AFC South with a 10-7 record. In the Wild-Card Game, he recorded five pass deflections and two interceptions off passes by Justin Herbert during a victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. He was ranked 18th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025.
Contract Extension
On March 17, 2025, the Texans signed Stingley to a three-year, $90 million contract extension that includes $89.02 million guaranteed. This contract made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The extension secured his long-term future with the organization that drafted him third overall in 2022.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stingley combines exceptional size, speed, and ball skills that make him a complete cornerback at the professional level. His instincts for locating the football and high concentration allow him to make plays on the ball consistently. His ability to stay healthy and log full seasons has been crucial to his development into an elite defender. He demonstrates the physicality and competitive nature needed to match up against the league’s top receivers week in and week out.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stingley’s career highlights include his 2024 First-team All-Pro selection, his two AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2023 and 2024, and his five-interception seasons in both 2023 and 2024. His Wild-Card Game performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in January 2025, where he recorded five pass deflections and two interceptions, stands as one of the defining moments of his young career.
Derek Stingley Jr. Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Stingley has established himself as one of the most productive cornerbacks in professional football. His career totals include 172 combined tackles, 15 interceptions, 51 pass deflections, one sack, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown.
NFL Highlights
In his rookie season (2022), Stingley recorded 43 combined tackles, five passes defensed, one sack, and one interception in nine games. He improved dramatically in 2023 with 39 combined tackles, 13 pass deflections, and five interceptions in 11 games while earning his first AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor. The 2024 season represented his breakout year as he started all 17 games, recording 54 combined tackles, a career-high 18 pass deflections, and five interceptions to earn Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors. In the 2025 season, he continued his elite production with 36 combined tackles, 15 passes defensed, and four interceptions through 16 games.
College Highlights
At LSU, Stingley was a dominant force in the SEC. As a freshman in 2019, he led the conference with six interceptions and 21 passes defended while helping LSU win the national championship. He earned consensus All-American honors and was a first-team All-SEC selection. In 2020, despite missing three games due to injuries, he earned first-team All-SEC honors for the second consecutive year.
| Season | Team | Games | Combined Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Houston Texans | 9 | 43 | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 | Houston Texans | 11 | 39 | 5 | 13 |
| 2024 | Houston Texans | 17 | 54 | 5 | 18 |
| 2025 | Houston Texans | 16 | 36 | 4 | 15 |
Derek Stingley Jr. Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Derek Stingley Jr. comes from a distinguished football family. His father, Derek Stingley Sr., played professionally in the Arena Football League. His grandfather, the late Darryl Stingley, was a Pro Bowl wide receiver for the New England Patriots. This family legacy provided Stingley Jr. with a strong foundation in football from an early age.
Personal Life
On October 15, 2025, Stingley announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Annabella Campagna. On November 25, 2025, the couple announced they expect to welcome their first child, a baby boy, in April 2026.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season solidified Stingley’s status as the premier cornerback in professional football. He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 16 after returning an interception for a 31-yard touchdown in a victory against the Las Vegas Raiders. His consistent elite-level play throughout the season resulted in his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and Second First-team All-Pro honors. The Texans relied heavily on their star cornerback as they competed for another AFC South title and playoff positioning. With his long-term future secured through the landmark contract extension, Stingley remains the cornerstone of the Texans secondary and a central figure in the team’s defensive success heading into the postseason.