Joshua Hines-Allen Bio
Joshua Hines-Allen is an American professional football defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, winning the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy as a junior. Hines-Allen was selected seventh overall by the Jaguars in the 2019 NFL Draft and has received two Pro Bowl selections with the team. He signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension in April 2024, cementing his place as a foundational piece of Jacksonville’s defense. Hines-Allen officially changed his name from Joshua Allen to Joshua Hines-Allen in July 2024, honoring his athletic family lineage.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Hines-Allen was born on July 13, 1997, in Cumberland County, Virginia, to Kim and Robert Allen. He has a twin brother, Isaiah, and four older sisters. Due to a stutter, Hines-Allen spent part of his schooling in New Jersey’s special education system before moving to Alabama to live with relatives and attend Abbeville High School. He was later diagnosed with ADHD. Although Hines-Allen grew up primarily playing basketball, his uncle convinced him to try out for the high school football team during his freshman year.
In his freshman year, Hines-Allen did not play a single snap in a game. He began his football career as a varsity receiver starting in his sophomore year. During his junior season at Abbeville High School, he recorded 1,150 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as an all-state receiver. Seeking better recruiting opportunities, Hines-Allen returned to New Jersey for his senior year, attending Montclair High School, where he switched positions from receiver to defensive end. That decision would define his football future.
Path to Professional Football
At Montclair High School, Hines-Allen led the state of New Jersey in sacks during his senior season while also recording a touchdown catch. The Mounties finished 11-1 and won the 2014 state title. Despite leading New Jersey in sacks, Hines-Allen remained under the recruiting radar. The 247Sports recruiting service rated him as a two-star prospect and ranked over 2,000 players ahead of him in the 2015 recruiting class.
After originally committing to Monmouth, Hines-Allen’s path to Kentucky began when West Orange High School head coach Jim Matsakis made a phone call to his brother Louie, who was on the Wildcats coaching staff. That connection led to an impromptu campus visit, and Hines-Allen signed with Kentucky just three days later. His high school coach, John Fiore, had tried to generate interest from Rutgers, but the school showed no interest in evaluating him. Fiore later recalled telling Rutgers, “You guys are going to look foolish when he’s drafted in the first round.”
Joshua Hines-Allen Career
College Career at Kentucky (2015-2018)
Hines-Allen played four seasons for the Kentucky Wildcats from 2015 to 2018. After a junior season featuring 7 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, he was named Associated Press Second-team All-SEC. He initially considered declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft but chose to return for his senior season.
During his senior year in 2018, Hines-Allen delivered a dominant performance that earned him unanimous All-American status. He won the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Lott Trophy, and the Jack Lambert Trophy. He was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and First-team All-SEC. Hines-Allen finished his Kentucky career as the program’s all-time sack leader with 31.5 career sacks.
Rookie Season and Early NFL Career (2019-2020)
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Hines-Allen with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. On May 23, 2019, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $21.8 million fully guaranteed, including a $14.6 million signing bonus. During Week 3 of his rookie season against the Tennessee Titans, he recorded his first two career sacks on Marcus Mariota in a 20-7 victory.
Hines-Allen finished his rookie season with a team-leading and franchise rookie record-setting 10.5 sacks, 44 tackles, and two forced fumbles. He became the first Jaguars player in history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in their rookie season and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In 2020, he continued his development before being placed on injured reserve in November with a knee injury.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2021-Present)
In 2021, Hines-Allen had a memorable game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9, recording eight tackles, a sack, an interception, and a fumble recovery against quarterback Josh Allen. He became the first player in NFL history to record a sack, interception, and fumble recovery from a quarterback with the same name. In 2022, the Jaguars picked up the fifth-year option on his contract. During the regular season finale against the Titans, he scored the game-winning touchdown on a fumble recovery, securing the Jaguars’ first division title and playoff berth since 2017. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for that performance.
The 2023 season marked Hines-Allen’s breakthrough year. He started with three sacks against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 and continued his dominant play throughout the season, recording 2.5 sacks against the Houston Texans in Week 12 to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished the season with 17.5 sacks, setting a franchise record for most sacks in a single season and earning his second Pro Bowl selection. In March 2024, the Jaguars placed the franchise tag on him before signing him to a five-year, $150 million extension in April 2024 with $88 million guaranteed. After playing the previous two seasons as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, Hines-Allen switched back to defensive end when new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen implemented a 4-3 scheme.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hines-Allen is known for his relentless pass-rushing ability and versatility along the defensive line. His background as a receiver in high school developed his footwork and agility, which he uses effectively to beat offensive tackles. He possesses excellent burst off the line of scrimmage and a variety of pass-rush moves. His ability to play multiple positions in different schemes has made him valuable to Jacksonville’s defensive coordinators.
Notable Events and Milestones
On November 15, 2025, Hines-Allen sacked Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert to record his 56th career sack, breaking the Jaguars franchise record previously held by Tony Brackens. His signature moment came in the 2022 season finale when his fumble recovery touchdown secured Jacksonville’s AFC South division title. His unique 2021 game against Josh Allen of the Bills, recording multiple defensive stats against a quarterback sharing his birth name, remains one of the most memorable individual performances in recent NFL history.
Joshua Hines-Allen Career Wins and Statistics
Across his NFL career through the 2025 season, Hines-Allen has established himself as one of the premier defensive ends in the league. His career highlights include franchise records, multiple Pro Bowl selections, and consistent double-digit sack seasons. His ability to create turnovers, score touchdowns, and disrupt opposing offenses has made him the cornerstone of Jacksonville’s defense.
NFL Career Highlights
Hines-Allen’s most productive season came in 2023 when he recorded 17.5 sacks, setting the Jaguars franchise record for a single season. His rookie season of 10.5 sacks remains the franchise record for a rookie. He has recorded 61 career sacks, 345 total tackles, 10 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 13 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and 1 defensive touchdown. His 2022 fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Titans proved to be a season-defining moment that sent the Jaguars to the playoffs.
College Achievements
At Kentucky, Hines-Allen finished as the Wildcats’ all-time sack leader with 31.5 career sacks. His 2018 senior season saw him win virtually every major college football defensive award, including the Chuck Bednarik Award given to the nation’s top college defensive player.
| Competition Level | Total Sacks | Total Tackles | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2019-2025) | 61 | 345 | 10 |
| College (2015-2018) | 31.5 | — | — |
Joshua Hines-Allen Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Hines-Allen comes from a remarkably athletic family. His sister Myisha Hines-Allen is a professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. Two other sisters, LaTorri Hines-Allen and Kyra Hines-Allen, played basketball at the collegiate level at Towson and Cheyney University respectively. His uncle Gregory Hines was a legendary basketball player for Hampton University when the Pirates competed in Division II. Gregory was selected in the fifth round of the 1983 NBA Draft and played professionally overseas for over a decade. Another uncle, Keith Hines, played basketball at Montclair State University.
Personal Life
Hines-Allen married Kaitlyn Morrison on April 17, 2019. The couple met during their freshman year of college at the University of Kentucky in 2015. Kaitlyn, originally from Ohio, holds a license in cosmetology and has pursued studies in psychology. Hines-Allen and Kaitlyn have three children together: two sons named Wesley and Julian, and a daughter named Vanessa. On July 9, 2024, Hines-Allen officially changed his name from Joshua Allen to Joshua Hines-Allen, incorporating the surname to honor his sisters and uncles who all shared the Hines-Allen name through their athletic careers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season continued Hines-Allen’s dominance as the centerpiece of Jacksonville’s defense. He broke the Jaguars’ all-time franchise record for career sacks during the season, surpassing Tony Brackens’ previous record of 55 sacks. His consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks remained a defining characteristic of Jacksonville’s defensive identity.
Playing in Ryan Nielsen’s 4-3 scheme as a defensive end, Hines-Allen maintained his status among the NFL’s elite pass rushers. His leadership in the locker room and on the field helped the Jaguars remain competitive in the AFC South division. The team relied on his ability to disrupt passing games and create game-changing plays in crucial moments.
His $150 million contract extension signed in April 2024 reflects the Jaguars’ commitment to building their defense around their star defensive end. As he enters the prime years of his career, Hines-Allen has positioned himself as not only the best player in Jacksonville’s history at his position but also among the top defensive ends in the entire NFL.