Darrell Demont “D. J.” Chark Jr. Bio
Darrell Demont “D. J.” Chark Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League from 2018 to 2025. Born on September 23, 1996, in Alexandria, Louisiana, Chark played college football for the LSU Tigers before being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Known for his exceptional straight-line speed, Chark earned the nickname “The Flash” during his collegiate career and went on to earn a Pro Bowl selection in 2019. Over his seven NFL seasons, he played for five different teams and recorded 216 receptions for 3,100 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
Early Life and Background
D. J. Chark was born to Shirley and Darrell Chark on September 23, 1996, in Alexandria, Louisiana. He began his football journey playing for a youth league in his hometown as a running back. Chark attended Alexandria Senior High School, where he played high school football and competed in track and field. His athletic abilities were evident early, as he developed the speed that would become his signature trait throughout his football career.
During his high school years, Chark established himself as a versatile athlete capable of making an impact in multiple sports. His performance on the field attracted attention from college programs across the country, setting the stage for his next chapter at the collegiate level.
Path to the NFL
Chark received scholarship offers from several major college programs, including Memphis, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M. He ultimately chose to commit to Louisiana State University to play college football under head coaches Les Miles and Ed Orgeron. Chark played for the LSU Tigers from 2014 to 2017.
Despite his potential, Chark did not record a reception during his first two seasons with the Tigers. He broke out as a junior in 2016, recording 26 receptions for 466 yards and three touchdowns. As a senior in 2017, he improved to 40 receptions for 874 yards and three touchdowns. His straight-ahead speed earned him the nickname “The Flash” among teammates and coaches. Chark wore number 7 during his time at LSU.
D. J. Chark Career
Pre-Draft and Senior Bowl
Before the 2018 NFL Draft, Chark accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl. On January 27, 2018, he made two tackles and caught five passes for 160 receiving yards and a touchdown for the South team coached by Bill O’Brien of the Houston Texans. The South team defeated the North 45-16, and Chark earned co-MVP honors of the game. His performance significantly boosted his draft stock.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Chark tied for fourth among all players in the 40-yard dash, tied for ninth in the vertical jump, and tied for 13th in the broad jump. He also attended a private workout for the Dallas Cowboys and pre-draft visits with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. NFL draft experts projected him as a second-round pick, ranking him among the top wide receiver prospects in the draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-2021)
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Chark in the second round with the 61st overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the eighth wide receiver drafted that year. On May 25, 2018, the Jaguars signed him to a four-year contract worth $4.44 million with a $1.31 million signing bonus. In Week 2 of his rookie season against the New England Patriots, Chark recorded his first professional reception for 13 yards, though he also fumbled on the play. He finished his rookie year with 14 receptions for 174 receiving yards and served as the team’s primary kick returner.
The 2019 season marked Chark’s breakthrough year. He became the fifth player in Jaguars franchise history to reach 1,000 receiving yards, finishing with 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns. Notable performances included a 146-yard game against the Kansas City Chiefs and an eight-catch, 164-yard performance against the Carolina Panthers. He was named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for Tyreek Hill, recognizing his standout season.
In 2020, Chark recorded 53 receptions for 706 yards and five touchdowns. The 2021 season was cut short when he suffered a fractured ankle during Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals, requiring him to be placed on injured reserve in October. He played only four games that season, catching seven passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. At the time of his departure, Chark ranked in the top 10 in Jaguars franchise history in receiving touchdowns, yards per reception, and 100-yard games.
Detroit Lions (2022)
On March 17, 2022, Chark signed a one-year contract worth $10 million with the Detroit Lions. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 3 and missed the next two games before being placed on injured reserve in October. He was activated in November and returned to make significant contributions. In a game against his former team, the Jaguars, Chark had five receptions for 98 yards. He added 94 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. In the season finale, he made two critical fourth-down conversions to help eliminate the rival Green Bay Packers from playoff contention. For the 9-8 Lions, Chark recorded 502 receiving yards in 11 games, ranking third on the team among wide receivers.
Carolina Panthers (2023)
On March 24, 2023, Chark signed with the Carolina Panthers on a one-year deal. His best performance came in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers, where he recorded six catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Bryce Young in a 33-30 loss. Chark finished the 2023 season with 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns.
Los Angeles Chargers (2024)
On May 6, 2024, Chark signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was placed on injured reserve in September with a hip injury and was activated in November. He appeared in seven games during the season, recording one touchdown that came against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18.
Atlanta Falcons (2025)
On July 25, 2025, Chark signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. However, he was released by the Falcons on August 18, 2025, before appearing in any regular-season games. He did not play during the 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chark was known throughout his career for his exceptional straight-line speed, which allowed him to stretch the field and create separation from defenders. His ability to win deep passes made him a valuable vertical threat for every team he played for. His speed translated well to kick-return duties early in his career, and his athletic frame at 6-foot-3 gave him an advantage in jump-ball situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Chark’s 2019 Pro Bowl selection represented the peak of his professional career, recognizing his status as the fifth player in Jaguars history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. His Senior Bowl co-MVP performance in 2018 served as the launching point for his NFL career, demonstrating his ability to dominate against top college prospects. His memorable Week 16 performance with the Panthers in 2023, where he scored two touchdowns against the Packers, showed his continued ability to make big plays even in a supporting role.
D. J. Chark Career Wins
Across seven NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers, Chark recorded 216 career receptions for 3,100 receiving yards and 24 receiving touchdowns. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and was named Senior Bowl co-MVP in 2018.
NFL Highlights
Chark’s most productive season came in 2019 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he recorded 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns while earning Pro Bowl honors. His 1,000-yard season made him only the fifth receiver in Jaguars franchise history to achieve that milestone. He also reached significant career totals with his 2023 season with the Panthers, where he recorded 525 receiving yards and five touchdowns, and his 2022 campaign with the Lions, where he contributed 502 receiving yards to a playoff-bound team.
Other Achievements
In addition to his NFL success, Chark achieved recognition at the collegiate level with LSU, where he finished his senior season with 874 receiving yards. His Senior Bowl co-MVP award in 2018 helped establish him as one of the top wide receiver prospects in his draft class.
| Series | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 216 | 3,100 | 24 |
| 2019 (Jaguars) | 73 | 1,008 | 8 |
D. J. Chark Family
Family Background
D. J. Chark was born to Shirley Chark and Darrell Chark in Alexandria, Louisiana. His parents supported his athletic pursuits from a young age, allowing him to develop his skills in youth football leagues in his hometown.
Personal Life
Chark maintained connections to his Louisiana roots throughout his career. He has been active on social media, where he shared glimpses of his professional journey with fans. Beyond football, his athletic background included track and field competition during his high school years, which helped develop the speed that became his trademark in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked an unexpected chapter in D. J. Chark’s career. After playing for four different teams over the previous three seasons, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on July 25, 2025. The signing generated interest given his proven ability to stretch the field and create big plays when healthy. However, Chark’s tenure with the Falcons was brief, as he was released on August 18, 2025, before appearing in any regular-season games. Following his release, Chark did not sign with another team during the 2025 season. The 2025 campaign marked the end of a seven-year NFL career that included a Pro Bowl selection, over 3,000 career receiving yards, and memorable performances for teams in Jacksonville, Detroit, Carolina, and Los Angeles.