Casey Toohill Bio
Casey Joseph Toohill is an American professional football defensive end who has played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans since entering the NFL in 2020. Born on August 22, 1996, in San Diego, California, Toohill attended Stanford University, where he earned Second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 233rd overall pick. Toohill has built his NFL career as a rotational defensive end, contributing across multiple teams and schemes throughout his professional tenure.
Early Life and Background
Casey Toohill grew up in San Diego, California, where he attended Cathedral Catholic High School. Cathedral Catholic has developed a reputation as a football powerhouse, producing several NFL players including Toohill. His combination of size and athleticism made him a promising prospect coming out of high school in the competitive Southern California football scene.
As a high school player, Toohill developed the fundamentals that would serve him well at the collegiate level. The experience of competing in California high school football provided him with exposure to top-level competition and helped prepare him for the challenges of playing at a major college program.
Path to the NFL
Toohill was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school. He received scholarship offers from multiple Football Bowl Subdivision programs, ultimately choosing to continue his football career at Stanford University over schools such as Boston College, Nevada, Utah, Washington, and Washington State. His decision to attend Stanford reflected his academic ambitions alongside his athletic goals.
Toohill redshirted during his freshman season at Stanford in 2015, using that year to adapt to the college game’s speed and complexity. He steadily developed over his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons, earning increased playing time within the Cardinal’s defensive system. By his junior year, he had established himself as a reliable contributor along Stanford’s defensive line.
His most productive college season came as a fifth-year senior in 2019. Toohill started all 12 games that season and earned Second-team All-Pac-12 honors after recording 11.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and 60 tackles. That performance put him among the conference’s top defensive players and solidified his standing as an NFL draft prospect. Over his entire four-year career at Stanford, he recorded 124 tackles, including 21.5 for loss, 14 sacks, and one interception.
Casey Toohill Career
Philadelphia Eagles (2020)
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Casey Toohill in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 233rd overall pick. His selection came after a successful college career at Stanford that demonstrated his ability to pressure the quarterback and stop the run. Toohill joined an Eagles organization in transition as they rebuilt their roster following a Super Bowl appearance two years earlier.
Toohill’s tenure with the Eagles proved brief. He appeared in games during the 2020 season but was waived on October 13, 2020. However, his NFL journey continued immediately the following day when another team recognized his potential.
Washington Football Team and Commanders (2020–2023)
On October 14, 2020, the Washington Football Team claimed Toohill off waivers. This move marked the beginning of his most sustained NFL stretch, as he would remain with the organization through multiple seasons and the team’s rebrand to the Washington Commanders.
During his second season with Washington in 2021, Toohill recorded his first career sack in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs, bringing down quarterback Patrick Mahomes. That milestone demonstrated his ability to compete against elite offenses in the league. Later that season, Toohill earned his first career start in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers when starting defensive end Chase Young was placed on injured reserve. He stepped into the role and performed admirably despite the unexpected opportunity.
The 2022 season brought Toohill one of the most memorable moments of his career. In Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Toohill scored his first career touchdown. He recovered a failed lateral pass from Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith and returned it one yard for a score on the final play of the game, sealing a victory over the then-undefeated Eagles. The dramatic play showcased his awareness and readiness when opportunities arose.
In the 2023 season, Toohill’s role expanded significantly. Before Week 9, he was elevated to the defense’s starting lineup following the mid-season trades of both original starting defensive ends, Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Toohill stepped into a featured role and held down the position through the remainder of the season, demonstrating his reliability as an every-down player.
Buffalo Bills (2024)
On March 19, 2024, Toohill signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. Joining a perennial playoff contender gave him the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl championship. He played in 13 games for Buffalo during the 2024 season, recording one pass deflection, one sack, and 14 total tackles as a rotational member of the defensive line.
The Bills released Toohill on December 17, 2024, but re-signed him to their practice squad just two days later. This sequence demonstrated the team’s continued appreciation for his contributions and versatility along the defensive line.
Houston Texans (2025)
Toohill signed with the Houston Texans on March 14, 2025. The Texans had emerged as an AFC contender with a young, talented roster. Toohill joined their defensive line competition during the offseason and training camp. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the Texans’ final roster cuts as they trimmed their roster to the regular-season limit.
Playing Style and Strengths
Toohill has developed as a reliable rotational defensive end who brings consistent effort and fundamentals to the field. His college production at Stanford translated to the professional level, where he has demonstrated the ability to pressure quarterbacks and set the edge against the run. His experience starting games with Washington in 2021 and 2023 showed he can handle increased responsibility when called upon, and his special teams contributions have kept him on active rosters throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several moments stand out in Toohill’s career trajectory. His first career sack against Patrick Mahomes in 2021 represented a milestone against one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. His scoop-and-score touchdown against the Eagles in 2022 provided one of the more dramatic finishes of that season. His elevation to starter with Washington in 2023 following the trades of two high-profile defensive ends tested his ability to perform as a primary player rather than a reserve.
Casey Toohill Career Wins
Over five seasons in the NFL through the 2024 season, Toohill has appeared in more than 50 games across four franchises. His career statistics include 100 total tackles, eight sacks, three pass deflections, four fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown. He has contributed as both a starter and reserve, adapting to different defensive schemes and team situations throughout his professional career.
College Highlights
Toohill’s most decorated statistical performances came during his senior season at Stanford in 2019, when he earned Second-team All-Pac-12 honors. He led the Cardinal with eight sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss that season, showcasing the pass-rushing ability that translated to his NFL career. His 14 career sacks at Stanford remain among the top totals in program history for the era in which he played.
Other Notable Performances
In the NFL, Toohill’s standout moments include his first career sack on Patrick Mahomes and his game-sealing fumble recovery touchdown against Philadelphia. His 2023 season with Washington featured his most extensive starting experience, as he filled the void left by two traded defensive ends and performed capably in a featured role for the final stretch of the campaign.
Casey Toohill Family
Family Background
Toohill grew up in San Diego, California, as part of a family with roots in the Cathedral Catholic community. Cathedral Catholic High School has established itself as a feeder program for college and professional football, providing Toohill with a strong foundation for his career path from high school through Stanford and into the NFL.
Personal Life
Toohill attended Stanford University, balancing athletics with academics at one of the nation’s premier institutions. His decision to pursue football at the Power Five level while at a university known for academic rigor demonstrated his commitment to both his sport and his education. He launched his professional football career following his graduation from Stanford in 2020.
2025 Season Outlook
Following his release from the Houston Texans in August 2025, Toohill enters the 2025 season as a free agent seeking another opportunity in the NFL. His versatility as a rotational defensive end who can contribute on early downs and in sub-packages provides value to teams seeking depth along their defensive line. With experience starting games and performing in high-pressure situations, Toohill remains a viable option for teams addressing injuries or looking to bolster their defensive line rotation mid-season. His ability to adapt to different defensive systems and team cultures has been evident throughout his career with four franchises, and his continued dedication to the sport keeps the door open for a return to the field in 2025.