Josiah Deguara Bio
Josiah Daniel Deguara is an American professional football player who currently serves as a tight end and fullback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Deguara was born on February 14, 1997, in Santa Rosa, California, and has established himself as a versatile offensive weapon throughout his NFL career. He played college football at the University of Cincinnati from 2015 to 2019 before entering the NFL as a third-round draft pick in 2020.
Early Life and Background
Deguara grew up in Folsom, California, where he attended Folsom High School. During his high school career, he developed into a promising football player, though he was not rated as a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school. He received recognition as a three-star recruit from 247Sports and drew interest from multiple college programs.
Despite receiving offers from various programs, Deguara chose to continue his football career at the University of Cincinnati, selecting the Bearcats over an offer from Air Force. This decision would prove formative in his development as a professional player.
Path to the NFL
Deguara arrived at the University of Cincinnati in 2015 and spent five seasons with the Bearcats football program from 2015 to 2019. During his collegiate career, he emerged as a reliable receiving threat and key contributor to the Bearcats offense. Over his time at Cincinnati, Deguara accumulated 1,117 receiving yards on 92 receptions, demonstrating consistent production and reliability as a pass-catcher.
His most productive seasons came during his junior and senior years, when he combined for 13 touchdowns. Deguara’s performance earned him significant recognition within the American Athletic Conference. He was named Second-team All-American Athletic Conference following his junior season in 2018 and elevated to First-team All-AAC status after his senior season in 2019, cementing his status as one of the top tight ends in the conference.
Josiah Deguara Career
Green Bay Packers (2020–2023)
The Green Bay Packers selected Josiah Deguara in the third round with the 94th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, signaling their interest in his versatility as both a tight end and fullback. He signed his rookie contract on July 24, 2020, and began competing for playing time in a Packers offense led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Deguara saw his first professional action on September 13, 2020, during the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, recording one catch for 12 yards. However, his rookie season encountered a significant setback when he suffered a torn ACL in Week 5. The injury forced him to be placed on injured reserve on October 13, 2020, effectively ending his first NFL season after just five games.
Despite the injury, Deguara returned to contribute meaningfully to the Packers offense. On November 21, 2021, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 25-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers during a closely contested 34–31 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. This milestone represented a turning point in his professional career, establishing him as a viable weapon in the passing game. Deguara continued to serve as a role player for the Packers through the 2022 and 2023 seasons, contributing primarily on special teams and as a situational receiver.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)
On March 28, 2024, Deguara signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joining a franchise in the midst of building around young quarterback Trevor Lawrence. His tenure with the Jaguars began with the team’s offseason program as he competed for a roster spot at the tight end position.
Deguara was initially released during roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad. He was elevated to the Jaguars’ active roster on September 23, 2024, for a game against the Buffalo Bills and signed to the active roster the following week. Throughout the 2024 season, Deguara appeared in 15 games, recording 3 receptions for 14 yards. His playing time consisted of 87 offensive snaps and 243 special teams snaps, reflecting his value as a versatile player capable of contributing in multiple phases of the game.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025–Present)
On May 5, 2025, Deguara signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year contract, providing veteran depth at the tight end position for a Cardinals team in the early stages of its roster rebuild. He began the 2025 season working to earn a consistent role within the Cardinals offense.
The Cardinals waived Deguara on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts before the regular season began. However, he was re-signed to the practice squad the following day, maintaining his connection to the organization. On October 15, 2025, Deguara was signed to the active roster, indicating the coaching staff valued his contributions enough to elevate him from the practice squad. He was released on November 4 but re-signed with the Cardinals the following day, continuing his tenure with the team as they evaluated their roster configuration for the stretch run of the 2025 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Deguara is valued for his versatility along the offensive line and in the passing game, capable of lining up as both a traditional tight end and as a fullback in heavy formations. His collegiate experience at Cincinnati, where he played in a competitive conference, prepared him for the physical demands of the NFL. His ability to contribute on special teams has been a consistent factor in his ability to remain on NFL rosters throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Deguara’s career came on November 21, 2021, when he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 25-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers during a Week 11 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The moment marked the culmination of his return from the ACL injury that had ended his rookie season prematurely. Throughout his career, Deguara has demonstrated resilience, returning from serious injury and continuing to find ways to contribute at the professional level.
Josiah Deguara Career Statistics
Across five seasons in the NFL through Week 15 of the 2025 season, Deguara has established himself as a reliable role player with 51 career receptions for 456 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. His statistical production reflects his value as a complementary piece in offenses rather than a primary receiving target.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
| Season | Team | Games | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Green Bay Packers | 5 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| 2021 | Green Bay Packers | 13 | 8 | 58 | 1 |
| 2022 | Green Bay Packers | 17 | 10 | 102 | 0 |
| 2023 | Green Bay Packers | 16 | 9 | 74 | 0 |
| 2024 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 15 | 3 | 14 | 0 |
| 2025* | Arizona Cardinals | Various | 20 | 196 | 1 |
*Statistics through Week 15, 2025
Personal Life
During his time at the University of Cincinnati, Deguara gained valuable professional experience by interning in the operations department of FC Cincinnati, a Major League Soccer franchise. This opportunity provided him with insight into sports business operations beyond his playing career and demonstrated his commitment to professional development beyond the football field.
Deguara has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the spotlight, focusing on his football career and continuing to work toward earning consistent playing time in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been characterized by roster movement for Deguara with the Arizona Cardinals. After signing with the team in May, he experienced the volatility of NFL roster decisions when he was waived during final cuts in August. His re-signing to the practice squad and subsequent elevation to the active roster in October demonstrated his continued value as a veteran player familiar with offensive systems and special teams contributions.
Through Week 15 of the 2025 season, Deguara has recorded 20 receptions for 196 yards and 1 touchdown with the Cardinals, representing his most productive statistical stretch since his early seasons with the Packers. The Cardinals coaching staff has increasingly incorporated him into the offensive game plan as the season has progressed, recognizing his reliability and experience in the passing game.
Looking ahead, Deguara remains focused on solidifying his role with the Cardinals organization while continuing to contribute as both a receiver and blocker. His career trajectory exemplifies the journeyman path many NFL players take, demonstrating adaptability and persistence as he continues his professional football career into his sixth NFL season.