Eli Apple

Eli Apple Bio

Eli Apple (born August 9, 1995) is an American professional football cornerback who currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Originally born Eli Woodard, he changed his name to Eli Apple in 2012. Apple was selected by the New York Giants in the first round (10th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State University, where he helped the Buckeyes win the 2015 National Championship. Throughout his NFL career spanning nine seasons, Apple has played for six different teams, establishing himself as a durable cornerback known for his physical style of play and versatility in various defensive schemes.

Early Life and Background

Eli Apple was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a Ghanaian mother, Annie Apple. He spent the first two years of his life living in Ghana before his family relocated to Voorhees Township, New Jersey, where he was raised by his mother and stepfather Tim Apple. Apple attended Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees Township, where he began to develop his reputation as a highly skilled defensive back. He was raised alongside his uncle, actor and comedian Michael Blackson, who would later become a notable figure in entertainment.

At Eastern Regional High School, Apple quickly established himself as one of the top prospects in New Jersey. He was rated the number one prospect in the state in the 2013 recruiting class by Rivals.com and was ranked 28th best prospect nationally. His exceptional performance on the field attracted attention from college programs across the country, with approximately twenty schools extending scholarship offers to him. Among the programs that pursued Apple were powerhouse programs including Alabama, Michigan, and Notre Dame, demonstrating the high level of interest in his talents.

Path to Professional Football

After carefully considering his options, Apple announced his verbal commitment to Ohio State University on February 12, 2012, choosing the Buckeyes over Rutgers and Notre Dame. The decision came after Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which influenced Apple’s recruitment process. He enrolled at Ohio State in January 2013 as a five-star prospect ranked as high as the No. 11 prospect nationally on the ESPN 150. He was also recognized as the No. 1 overall prospect in New Jersey and the No. 6 cornerback prospect in the country by 247Sports.

Apple redshirted his true freshman season at Ohio State in 2013 before emerging as a significant contributor in 2014 as a redshirt freshman. His most impactful season came in 2015 when he played a crucial role in the Buckeyes’ championship run, participating in the Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship. Apple was named Defensive MVP during that championship season and earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors. His performance helped Ohio State capture the 2015 National Championship, establishing him as one of the top cornerback prospects in college football.

Eli Apple Career

Pre-Draft and New York Giants Selection (2016)

On January 4, 2016, Apple announced his decision to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL Draft. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine where he completed the majority of combine drills before suffering cramps. Despite the cramping issue, Apple finished with the tenth fastest time in the 40-yard dash among all participating players. He later attended Ohio State’s pro day on March 11, 2016, opting to stand on his combine numbers and only performed the short shuttle, three-cone drill, and positional drills. Leading up to the draft, Apple was projected as an early to mid-first round pick and was ranked as the third best cornerback prospect by DraftScout.com, the fourth best by NFL analyst Mike Mayock, and the sixth best defensive back by Sports Illustrated.

The New York Giants selected Apple in the first round with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Apple was the second cornerback drafted that year, after Jalen Ramsey. Reports indicated the Giants had initially planned to select linebacker Leonard Floyd or offensive tackle Jack Conklin, but circumstances changed after unexpected developments in the draft order. Giants General Manager Jerry Reese ultimately kept the tenth overall pick and selected Apple, whom the team had ranked as their highest-graded player available on their draft board. On May 6, 2016, the Giants signed Apple to a fully guaranteed four-year, $15.15 million contract that included a signing bonus of $9.21 million.

New York Giants Tenure (2016–2018)

Apple entered training camp as the third cornerback on the depth chart behind veterans Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Head coach Ben McAdoo named Apple the third cornerback and first-team nickelback to begin the regular season. He made his professional debut in the Giants’ season-opener against the Dallas Cowboys, recording four solo tackles during their 20-19 victory. Apple earned his first career start on September 25, 2016, against the Washington Redskins but left the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury.

Despite the injuries, Apple finished his rookie season with 51 combined tackles (41 solo), seven pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble in 14 games and 11 starts. His first career interception came on December 4, 2016, against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he picked off a pass intended for wide receiver Eli Rogers during the third quarter. Heading into his second season, Apple was named a starting outside cornerback alongside Janoris Jenkins. However, the 2017 season proved challenging as Apple was benched multiple times for performance and disciplinary reasons. He was notably benched as a healthy scratch for four consecutive games (Weeks 11-14) after being heavily criticized by coaching staff for his performance against the San Francisco 49ers. On December 27, 2017, Apple was suspended by the team for the season finale after reportedly getting into an argument with coaching staff about practicing with the scout team. He finished the 2017 season with 49 combined tackles and eight pass deflections in 11 games and seven starts.

New Orleans Saints (2018–2019)

On October 23, 2018, the New York Giants traded Apple to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and a seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Saints acquired Apple to address depletion in their secondary after cornerback Patrick Robinson was placed on injured reserve following a broken ankle in Week 3 and cornerback Ken Crawley sustained an injury to his oblique. Head coach Sean Payton immediately named Apple a starting cornerback, reuniting him with former Ohio State secondary teammates Marshon Lattimore and Vonn Bell. Apple made his Saints debut on October 28, 2018, collecting nine solo tackles in a victory over the Minnesota Vikings. He recorded his first interception with the Saints on November 11, 2018, during a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Saints declined the fifth-year option on Apple’s contract on May 1, 2019. He started 15 games in the 2019 season, recording 58 tackles, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble. During the 2020 free agency period, Apple was set to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders before the deal fell through, leading him to explore other opportunities.

Carolina Panthers (2020)

On May 29, 2020, Apple signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. He was placed on injured reserve on September 7, 2020, with ankle and foot injuries and was activated on October 3. Apple was released by the Panthers on October 27, 2020, concluding his brief tenure with the team.

Cincinnati Bengals (2021–2022)

On March 23, 2021, Apple signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 18 games including the postseason as a starter in 2021, Apple recorded 49 tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. His performance helped the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI, where they faced the Los Angeles Rams. Following the Super Bowl loss, Apple became a subject of scrutiny for allowing Cooper Kupp to score the Rams’ game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. He re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year, $3.75 million contract on March 19, 2022. In the 2022 season, Apple recorded 49 total tackles and eight passes defended in 15 games and starts.

Miami Dolphins (2023)

On July 29, 2023, Apple signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, joining the team after starting cornerback Jalen Ramsey suffered a knee injury. In the 2023 season, Apple finished with a half-sack, 46 tackles, one interception, and nine passes defended, providing valuable depth and experience to the Dolphins’ secondary.

Los Angeles Chargers (2024)

On October 15, 2024, Apple was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 25, 2024. On November 27, Apple was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury during the Week 12 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. He was activated on January 10, 2025, completing his tenure with the Chargers organization.

San Francisco 49ers (2025–Present)

On July 28, 2025, Apple was signed to the San Francisco 49ers. He was released by San Francisco on August 7 and was re-signed to the team’s practice squad on August 27. On January 20, 2026, Apple signed a reserve/futures contract with San Francisco, securing his spot on the roster for the 2026 season. As of the 2025 season, he wears jersey number 30 for the 49ers and is listed as an active roster member.

Playing Style and Strengths

Apple is known for his physical style of play and versatility in various defensive schemes. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 203 pounds, he possesses the size and length that NFL teams value in cornerbacks. Throughout his career, Apple has demonstrated the ability to play both outside cornerback and in the slot, making him a valuable asset for teams seeking defensive flexibility. His experience playing in multiple defensive systems across seven NFL franchises has allowed him to adapt to different schemes and coverages. Apple has shown the ability to contribute in both man and zone coverage, and he has demonstrated tackling ability in run support throughout his career.

Notable Moments and Milestones

Among Apple’s most notable career moments is his selection as Defensive MVP during Ohio State’s 2015 National Championship season. In the NFL, his first career interception against Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016 stands as a significant early-career milestone. His journey through seven NFL teams demonstrates his ability to remain in the league despite roster changes and the challenges that come with transitioning between organizations. Apple’s participation in Super Bowl LVI with the Cincinnati Bengals represents the pinnacle of his professional career thus far.

Eli Apple Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career spanning nine seasons, Apple has established himself as a reliable defensive player capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game. His career statistics reflect a player who has consistently seen significant playing time across multiple teams and schemes.

NFL Career Highlights

Apple’s NFL career statistics as of the 2025 season include 384 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, 61 pass deflections, and 6 interceptions. His rookie season with the Giants in 2016 saw him record 51 tackles and 7 pass deflections, establishing his ability to contribute immediately at the professional level. His 2019 season with the Saints featured 58 tackles as a starter, while his 2021 campaign with the Bengals included two interceptions during the regular season and postseason combined.

College Achievements

Before his NFL career, Apple earned recognition at Ohio State including CFP National Champion (2015) and Second-team All-Big Ten (2015) honors. He was named Defensive MVP during Ohio State’s championship season in 2015, highlighting his impact on one of college football’s premier programs. These achievements laid the foundation for his professional career and demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest levels of the sport.

Eli Apple Family

Family Background and Football Lineage

Eli Apple’s family has connections to both athletics and entertainment. He was raised in Voorhees Township, New Jersey, by his mother Annie Apple and stepfather Tim Apple. His mother is originally from Ghana, which gave Apple exposure to West African culture during the first two years of his life spent living in Ghana. Apple is also the nephew of actor and comedian Michael Blackson, who has established himself in the entertainment industry. This connection to entertainment runs in the family, though Apple chose to pursue a career in professional football rather than entertainment.

Personal Life

In 2012, before beginning his collegiate career at Ohio State, Apple legally changed his name from Eli Woodard to Eli Apple. The reason for the name change has been a matter of public curiosity, though Apple has not extensively discussed the details publicly. He continues to maintain residences in New Jersey while pursuing his NFL career. Apple is known to have maintained relationships with former Ohio State teammates throughout his NFL career, including Marshon Lattimore and Vonn Bell, with whom he reunited during his time with the New Orleans Saints.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marks a new chapter in Eli Apple’s NFL career as he joined the San Francisco 49ers organization. After signing with the team on July 28, 2025, Apple was initially part of the active roster before being released on August 7. He was subsequently re-signed to the team’s practice squad on August 27, demonstrating the team’s continued interest in his services. This pattern of moving between the active roster and practice squad reflects the realities of NFL roster management and the competitive nature of professional football.

Apple’s career trajectory demonstrates the resilience required to maintain an NFL career over multiple seasons. After beginning his career as a top-10 draft pick with the Giants, he has navigated through seven different organizations, always finding a way to contribute. His experience spans various defensive systems and locker room environments, making him a veteran presence in whatever situation he enters. As he continues with the 49ers organization beyond the 2025 season, having signed a reserve/futures contract in January 2026, Apple remains focused on contributing to a franchise with championship aspirations.