A. J. Finley Bio
Allister Edward “A. J.” Finley Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 14, 2001, in Mobile, Alabama, Finley played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He began his professional career with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Seahawks in November 2024. Finley has shown promise as an NFL safety, demonstrating the skills and instincts developed during his four-year collegiate career at Ole Miss.
Early Life and Background
Finley grew up in Mobile, Alabama, where he attended St. Paul’s Episcopal School. During his senior year of high school, Finley recorded six interceptions, showcasing the playmaking ability that would define his future career. His standout performances in the secondary attracted attention from multiple college programs across the country.
On June 29, 2018, Finley made his college commitment, choosing to play for the Ole Miss Rebels over several other Division I programs including Duke, Iowa, Purdue, Tennessee, and Wake Forest. His decision to join the SEC program marked the beginning of his journey toward professional football.
Path to American Football
Finley arrived at Ole Miss in 2019 and immediately began contributing on special teams and as a backup safety. As a true freshman, he posted 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries, demonstrating his ability to make an impact in multiple facets of the game. His early collegiate experience provided a foundation for the breakout seasons that followed.
His sophomore year in 2020 marked a significant step forward, as Finley earned a larger role in the defense. He recorded 62 tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions, seven pass deflections, and one fumble recovery. The improved statistics reflected his growing comfort with the college level and his developing instincts as a safety.
A. J. Finley Career
Ole Miss Rebels (2019–2022)
Finley played four seasons at Ole Miss, developing into one of the most reliable safeties in the SEC. Across his collegiate career, he recorded 244 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, 13 pass deflections, four fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles, along with one defensive touchdown. His consistency and ability to make plays in the secondary made him a cornerstone of the Ole Miss defense.
His junior season in 2021 proved to be his most impressive, as Finley accumulated 90 tackles, one tackle for loss, three interceptions including one returned for a touchdown, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble. His standout performance earned him Second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, validating his status as one of the conference’s top defensive backs.
Finley’s senior season in 2022 saw him continue his strong play with 76 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble. After the conclusion of the 2022 season, he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, concluding his successful collegiate career in Oxford.
Los Angeles Chargers (2023–2024)
Despite not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Finley’s collegiate production attracted interest from NFL teams. He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent, joining the organization for training camp with an opportunity to earn a roster spot. Finley performed well enough to make the Chargers’ initial 53-man roster out of training camp, a significant achievement for any undrafted rookie.
After being inactive for the first two games of the 2023 season, Finley was waived on September 23, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad. He earned a promotion back to the active roster on September 30, demonstrating the Chargers’ continued interest in his development. Finley continued working to establish himself in the NFL during his time with the organization.
Seattle Seahawks (2024–Present)
Finley’s tenure with the Chargers ended when he was waived on November 25, 2024. The following day, he was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks, providing him with a fresh opportunity with a new organization. Finley joined the Seahawks’ secondary and appeared in games during the remainder of the 2024 season, contributing on special teams and as a depth safety.
He was placed on injured reserve on August 5, 2025, halting his second season with the team. On March 11, 2026, Finley re-signed with the Seahawks, indicating the organization’s confidence in his abilities and his commitment to continuing his career in Seattle.
Playing Style and Strengths
Finley has shown versatility as a safety, demonstrating the ability to play both deep coverage and near the line of scrimmage. His collegiate experience in various defensive schemes prepared him to adapt to different responsibilities at the NFL level. He displays good awareness in zone coverage and shows comfort matching up against both receivers and running backs in man coverage situations. His ball skills, evidenced by eight interceptions at Ole Miss, translate to his ability to make plays on the ball at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Finley’s notable achievements was his selection to the Second-team All-SEC following his standout junior season in 2021. He also recorded a pick-six during his collegiate career, demonstrating his ability to create momentum-shifting plays. As a rookie in the NFL, he recorded his first career forced fumble during the 2024 season. Finley also became a Super Bowl champion, winning Super Bowl LX, though he did not appear in the game.
A. J. Finley Career Statistics
Finley has compiled his early NFL career statistics across two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks. His rookie campaign and partial second season yielded limited but promising defensive numbers as he continues to develop at the professional level.
College Highlights (Ole Miss 2019–2022)
Across four seasons at Ole Miss, Finley established himself as a productive and consistent defender in the SEC. He finished his collegiate career with 244 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, 13 pass deflections, four fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. His best statistical season came in 2021 when he earned Second-team All-SEC honors with 90 tackles and three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. His eight career interceptions ranked among the top totals for Ole Miss safeties during his tenure.
NFL Statistics
Through his first two NFL seasons, Finley has recorded 14 total tackles and one forced fumble. His limited defensive numbers reflect his role as a depth safety and special teams contributor early in his professional career, while his forced fumble indicates his ability to make plays when given the opportunity.
| Competition | Tackles | Interceptions | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss (2019–2022) | 244 | 8 | 2 |
| NFL (2023–2024) | 14 | 0 | 1 |
A. J. Finley Family
Family Background and Early Influences
Details about Finley’s family background and immediate family members are not extensively documented in available sources. His upbringing in Mobile, Alabama, provided him with the foundation to pursue football at the highest levels, culminating in his opportunity to play college football in the SEC and subsequently earn a spot in the NFL.
Personal Life
Finley maintains an active presence on social media, where he connects with fans and shares updates about his football career. He graduated from St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile before embarking on his collegiate and professional football journey. Finley has demonstrated resilience throughout his career, overcoming being undrafted to sign with an NFL team and continuing to work toward establishing himself as a professional player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season began with Finley re-signed to the Seattle Seahawks roster following his time on injured reserve. After joining the organization midway through the 2024 season, Finley worked during the offseason program to fully integrate into the Seahawks’ defensive scheme and establish his role within the secondary. His continued presence on the roster indicated the coaching staff’s belief in his potential to contribute defensively and on special teams.
Finley’s recovery from injury and preparation for the 2025 season represented an important chapter in his professional development. The Seahawks coaching staff evaluated his progress throughout training camp and the preseason as they determined how to utilize his skills within their defensive system. His versatility and experience at Ole Miss provided a foundation for competing for playing time in the secondary.
The outlook for Finley in 2025 centered on his health and his ability to earn a more significant role on defense. With continued development and opportunity, he has the tools to become a more consistent contributor for the Seahawks. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a roster player with two NFL teams demonstrates his determination to build a lasting professional career in the league.