Andre Jordan Cisco Bio
Andre Jordan Cisco is an American professional football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 23, 2000, in Queens, New York, Cisco grew up in Valley Stream, New York, before attending IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He played college football for the Syracuse Orange from 2018 to 2020, where he established himself as one of the most productive defensive backs in the country. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Cisco in the third round (65th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. He has since built a solid professional career highlighted by his exceptional ball skills and playmaking ability in the secondary. In March 2025, Cisco signed with the New York Jets, joining his hometown team.
Early Life and Background
Cisco attended St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, New York, before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, prior to his junior season. Notably, Cisco stated he had never played a single snap on varsity in high school and had received no scholarship offers before visiting IMG Academy. After meeting with coaches at IMG, he was offered enrollment and used this opportunity to develop his skills at the prestigious athletic academy. His performance at IMG Academy led him to commit to Syracuse University to play college football.
Path to Professional Football
Cisco’s journey to the NFL is marked by perseverance and rapid development at Syracuse University. He arrived as a freshman in 2018 and made an immediate impact, starting 11 of 13 games and recording 60 tackles with seven interceptions, which tied for the most in the nation. His exceptional play earned him Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and freshman All-American recognition. He became the first true freshman in school history to earn All-American honors, signaling his potential as a future professional. Despite not having traditional high school varsity experience, Cisco’s tools and instincts translated exceptionally well to the collegiate level.
Andre Jordan Cisco Career
Jacksonville Jaguars (2021–2024)
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Cisco in the third round (65th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft, making him the fourth safety drafted in 2021 and the highest safety drafted from Syracuse since Tebucky Jones and Donavin Darius in 1998. Analysts attributed Cisco’s fall in the draft to an ACL injury he sustained during his final collegiate season. Despite this, Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer stated Cisco was one of his favorite players on the board, and analysts considered him one of the biggest potential steals in the 2021 draft. On June 11, 2021, Cisco signed a four-year, $5.23 million contract with a $1.16 million signing bonus.
Although still recovering from his ACL tear, the Jaguars did not place Cisco on the Active/PUP list at the start of training camp. He competed against Andrew Wingard, Daniel Thomas, and others for the starting strong safety position throughout camp. Head coach Urban Meyer named Cisco a backup safety to begin the 2021 regular season behind starting safeties Rayshawn Jenkins and Andrew Wingard. On September 12, 2021, Cisco made his professional debut in the season-opener at the Houston Texans. On December 20, 2021, interim head coach Darrell Bevell named Cisco the starting free safety for the final three games after Rayshawn Jenkins was placed on injured reserve. On December 26, 2021, Cisco earned his first career start against the New York Jets, recording five combined tackles and one pass breakup. He finished his rookie season with 26 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles while appearing in all 17 games with three starts.
Breakthrough Seasons (2022–2023)
During the 2022 offseason, Cisco competed against Andrew Wingard to be the starting safety under new defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell. Head coach Doug Pederson named Cisco the starting free safety to begin the season alongside Rayshawn Jenkins. On September 18, 2022, Cisco made his first career interception during a 24–0 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, picking off a pass by Matt Ryan intended for Parris Campbell. On October 2, 2022, he intercepted a pass by Jalen Hurts and returned it 59 yards for his first career touchdown during a 29–21 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles.
He was sidelined for two games (Weeks 13–14) after injuring his shoulder but returned to record a season-high nine combined tackles in Week 6 against the Colts. On December 22, 2022, he made his first career sack on Zach Wilson during a 19–3 victory at the New York Jets. He finished the 2022 season with 73 combined tackles, ten pass deflections, three interceptions, and one sack while starting all 15 games. The Jaguars finished first in the AFC South with a 9–8 record to clinch a playoff berth, and Cisco started in his first career playoff game, recording four solo tackles and one pass breakup during a 31–30 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wildcard Game.
In 2023, Cisco returned as the starting free safety alongside Rayshawn Jenkins. On September 10, 2023, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles in the season-opener against the Indianapolis Colts. The following week, he intercepted a pass by Patrick Mahomes intended for Justin Watson during a 17–9 loss. He was inactive during Week 8 at the Pittsburgh Steelers after injuring his hamstring and remained inactive later in the season due to the injury. He finished the 2023 NFL season with 62 combined tackles, five pass deflections, four interceptions, and half a sack in 15 games and 15 starts.
Final Jaguars Season (2024)
Head coach Doug Pederson retained Cisco as the starting free safety and paired him with Darnell Savage after the Jaguars hired Ryan Nielsen as defensive coordinator. In Week 6, Cisco made seven combined tackles and intercepted a pass by Caleb Williams during a loss at the Chicago Bears. In Week 14, he recorded a season-high two pass deflections during a 10–6 victory at the Tennessee Titans. On December 29, 2024, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles in a 10–3 victory against the Titans. He finished with 68 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception in 16 games and 16 starts.
New York Jets (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, the New York Jets signed Cisco to a one-year, $8.50 million contract that includes $7.50 million guaranteed upon signing and a $5 million signing bonus. The move brought Cisco to his hometown team, as he was born in Queens and grew up in nearby Valley Stream. He started all eight of his appearances for New York, recording 41 combined tackles, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery. On October 28, 2025, it was announced that Cisco would require surgery to repair a pectoral tear. On November 3, head coach Aaron Glenn announced that Cisco would require season-ending shoulder surgery, ending his 2025 campaign prematurely.
Playing Style and Strengths
Cisco is recognized for his exceptional ball skills and instincts in coverage. Before his ACL injury at Syracuse, he accumulated 13 interceptions in roughly two seasons, demonstrating his ability to read quarterbacks and make plays on the ball. Analysts praised his size, speed, and athleticism, with NFL analyst Bucky Brooks ranking him among the top safety prospects. His ability to play both free safety and strong safety provides defensive coordinators with flexibility in structuring their secondary. Cisco’s playmaking ability, particularly his knack for creating turnovers, has been a consistent trait throughout his career at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cisco’s most memorable professional moments is his 59-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4 of the 2022 season, which showcased his playmaking ability and speed. His first career playoff appearance and start during the 2021 season playoffs marked another milestone as he contributed to the Jaguars’ upset victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. His interception of Patrick Mahomes in 2023 demonstrated his ability to match up against elite quarterbacks. Cisco has also been credited with multiple game-changing plays, including forced fumbles and pass deflections in critical situations.
Andre Jordan Cisco Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Cisco has established himself as a reliable starting safety with proven playmaking ability. His career totals include 270 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 25 pass deflections, and eight interceptions with one defensive touchdown across four seasons with the Jaguars and Jets.
Career Highlights
Cisco’s most productive statistical season came in 2022 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he recorded 73 combined tackles, three interceptions, ten pass deflections, and his first career sack while starting all 15 games he appeared in. He followed this with a 62-tackle, four-interception season in 2023. His eight career interceptions include memorable plays such as his 59-yard touchdown return against the Eagles and his pick-six of Patrick Mahomes. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games with three starts, demonstrating durability and the ability to contribute on special teams and defense.
Notable College Achievements
At Syracuse, Cisco earned ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018, First-team All-ACC recognition the same year, and Second-team All-ACC honors in 2019. His seven interceptions as a true freshman tied for the national lead and established him as one of the top defensive backs in the country. His career at Syracuse concluded with 12 total interceptions despite a knee injury that cut his junior season short.
| Season | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 17 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 15 | 73 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
| 2023 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 15 | 62 | 4 | 5 | 0.5 |
| 2024 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 16 | 68 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 | New York Jets | 8 | 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Andre Jordan Cisco Family
Family Background
Cisco was born and raised in the New York area, growing up in Valley Stream, New York. His journey from a player who never took a single varsity snap in high school to becoming a Division I athlete demonstrates his determination and ability to maximize opportunities when presented with them.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season with the New York Jets represented both opportunity and challenge for Cisco. Joining his hometown team on a lucrative one-year contract, he was expected to provide veteran leadership and playmaking ability to a Jets defense looking to contend in the AFC. He started all eight games he appeared in before suffering a season-ending pectoral injury that required surgery. Despite the injury cutting his season short, Cisco recorded 41 combined tackles, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery, showing his ability to make an impact even in a shortened campaign. The Jets’ defense faced challenges throughout the season, and Cisco’s leadership from the secondary proved valuable before his injury. His season-ending surgery in November 2025 ended his year prematurely, but his performance before the injury demonstrated his continued value as a starting NFL safety. Looking ahead, Cisco signed a one-year contract extension with the Jets in March 2026, indicating the team’s continued confidence in his abilities.