Damontae Tyron Kazee Bio
Damontae Tyron Kazee is an American professional football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft and has established himself as a versatile defensive player known for his interception skills. Kazee played college football at San Diego State, where he set school records as a cornerback before transitioning to safety in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Damontae Kazee was born on June 5, 1993, in San Bernardino, California, USA. He attended Cajon High School in San Bernardino, where he excelled as a two-way player at both cornerback and running back. As a senior in 2011, he registered 27 tackles, 2 interceptions, one forced fumble, 4 rushing touchdowns and 4 receiving touchdowns. Kazee was a three-time All-CIF selection in high school and also lettered in basketball and track, demonstrating his athletic versatility from a young age.
Path to American Football
Kazee accepted a football scholarship from San Diego State, following in the footsteps of his older brother Walter, who was a running back with the Aztecs. His collegiate career began as a redshirt freshman where he appeared in 13 games as a backup cornerback, making 41 tackles with 3 for loss, one interception, and 4 forced fumbles. He progressively developed his skills, eventually becoming one of the most impactful defensive players in Mountain West Conference history with multiple All-MW selections and the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award twice.
Damontae Tyron Kazee Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
Kazee was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft and signed a four-year, $2.68 million contract. Initially competing for the nickel back role, he was transitioned to free safety during training camp. He made his professional debut in the Falcons’ season-opener against the Chicago Bears, recording two solo tackles and forcing a fumble. In 2018, following a season-ending injury to Keanu Neal, Kazee became the starter and had a breakout season, recording 82 combined tackles and tying for the league lead with seven interceptions alongside Kyle Fuller and Xavien Howard.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2017-2020)
During his time with the Falcons, Kazee developed into a reliable defensive back. In 2019, he posted 74 combined tackles, three interceptions, and one forced fumble. However, his tenure with Atlanta was cut short in 2020 when he suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, ending his season. He finished his Falcons career with 199 tackles, 10 interceptions, 13 pass breakups and 5 forced fumbles in four seasons.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2021)
On March 29, 2021, Kazee signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, reuniting with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who had been his head coach with the Falcons. After recovering from his Achilles injury, he appeared in 17 games with 15 starts at free safety, making 54 defensive tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 2 special teams tackles. He also started in the playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, collecting 9 tackles in that contest.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2022-2023)
Kazee signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 3, 2022. However, his season was marked by challenges as he suffered a fractured forearm in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve. He also faced a three-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Despite these setbacks, he appeared in 9 games with 4 starts, registering 19 tackles, 2 interceptions and 2 passes defensed. In 2023, he signed a two-year contract extension but was suspended for the remainder of the regular season after an illegal hit on Michael Pittman Jr. during a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025)
On May 12, 2025, Kazee signed with the Cleveland Browns. However, his time with the Browns was brief as he appeared in only four games without recording any tackles before being released by the team on November 3, 2025. This short stint marked another transition in his journeyman career in the NFL.
Detroit Lions Era (2025-Present)
On December 8, 2025, Kazee was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, bringing him to his fifth different team in nine NFL seasons. This move represented a new chapter in his career as he looked to contribute to the Lions’ defense and potentially earn a more significant role with the team.
Playing Style and Strengths
Kazee has established himself as a versatile defensive back capable of playing both cornerback and safety positions. His greatest strength is his ability to intercept passes, having tied for the NFL lead in interceptions in 2018. He is known for his awareness in coverage and ability to read quarterbacks. His experience in multiple defensive schemes has made him a valuable asset to different teams throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kazee’s most significant achievement came in 2018 when he tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions, establishing himself as one of the premier ball-hawking safeties in the league. In college, he set San Diego State’s record for career interceptions with 17 and became the first player in school history with 6 or more interceptions in consecutive seasons. He earned multiple All-Mountain West Conference honors, including being named Defensive Player of the Year twice (2015, 2016) and First-team All-MW in the same years.
Damontae Tyron Kazee Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Damontae Kazee has consistently demonstrated his ability to create turnovers and impact games defensively. His interception skills have been a cornerstone of his success, highlighted by his league-leading performance in 2018.
Atlanta Falcons Highlights
During his time with the Falcons, Kazee emerged as a key defensive playmaker. In 2018, he tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier ball-hawking safeties. His interception total helped Atlanta maintain a competitive defense despite various personnel changes. His performance that season earned him recognition as one of the top defensive players in the NFL.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his interception prowess, Kazee has consistently contributed with forced fumbles and pass deflections throughout his career. In 2021 with Dallas, he recorded 2 forced fumbles to complement his 2 interceptions. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses has made him a valuable contributor wherever he has played, even as he has moved between multiple teams in recent seasons.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | 17 | 24 | 0 |
Damontae Tyron Kazee Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kazee comes from an athletic family, following his older brother Walter Kazee to San Diego State, where Walter played running back for the Aztecs. This family connection to college football likely influenced Damontae’s path to the sport and his eventual professional career. His brother’s presence at San Diego State provided both inspiration and early mentorship as Damontae began his collegiate journey.
Personal Life
In his personal life, Kazee has faced some challenges outside of football. On October 19, 2021, he was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence after being pulled over for a traffic violation in The Colony, Texas. Despite these personal challenges, he has continued to pursue his professional football career and maintained his status as a valuable defensive player in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transitions for Kazee. He began the year with the Cleveland Browns but was released after appearing in four games without recording any tackles. Later in December, he joined the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, providing depth to their secondary as the season progressed. This move represents Kazee’s attempt to find stability with his fifth team in nine NFL seasons, as he looks to contribute to a playoff-contending team and potentially earn a more significant role for the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond.