K’Lavon Chaisson Bio
K’Lavon Chaisson is an American professional football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Chaisson won a national championship with LSU in 2019 and earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors that same season. Born on July 25, 1999, in Houston, Texas, he has developed into a productive NFL defender through stints with multiple teams.
Early Life and Background
K’Lavon Chaisson was born on July 25, 1999, in Houston, Texas. He attended North Shore Senior High School in Galena Park, Texas. Chaisson initially quit playing football as a freshman to focus on basketball but returned to the sport as a junior. He became an immediate starter at defensive end for the Mustangs, leading all Texas high school players with 15.5 sacks along with 50 tackles, including 13 for loss, and forced three fumbles. He helped lead North Shore to the Class 6A Division I state championship game and earned first-team All-State honors from the Associated Press.
Chaisson was named the defensive MVP of the state championship game after recording two sacks, four tackles for loss, a blocked kick, and a forced fumble while making a game-saving tackle at fourth and goal to preserve a 21-14 win over Westlake High School. As a senior, he was named the 21-6A district defensive MVP and was invited to the 2017 Under Armour All-America Game, where he recorded six tackles, five for loss, and tied the game record with three sacks. Rated a five-star recruit by Scout.com and four-star by 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals, Chaisson committed to play college football at Louisiana State University over offers from Florida and Texas.
Path to the NFL
Chaisson arrived at LSU in 2017 as a highly decorated freshman prospect. He made his college debut in the season opener against BYU and recorded his first two career sacks in the next game during a 45-10 win over Chattanooga. He was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team after finishing the season with 27 tackles, two sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss in 12 games played with three starts. Named a starter at outside linebacker going into his sophomore season, Chaisson made five tackles with a sack in the season opener against Miami before suffering a knee injury in the fourth quarter that was diagnosed as a torn ACL, ending his season and forcing him to use a medical redshirt.
Chaisson was chosen to wear the prestigious No. 18 jersey by the LSU coaching staff going into his redshirt sophomore season. He finished that campaign with 60 tackles and led the team with 6.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, and six quarterback hurries while adding two passes broken up and a forced fumble, earning first-team All-SEC recognition. Chaisson was named the Defensive MVP of the 2019 Peach Bowl after a six-tackle, two-sack performance against Oklahoma. He contributed two tackles in LSU’s 42-25 win over Clemson in the 2020 National Championship Game. On January 17, 2020, he announced that he would forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2020 NFL Draft. He finished his college career with 92 total tackles, including 19 for loss, and 9.5 sacks.
K’Lavon Chaisson Career
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020-2023)
Chaisson was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The selection came using a draft pick the Jaguars had acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in a trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. He made his NFL debut in the 2020 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, making two tackles. Chaisson recorded his first NFL sack the following week against the Tennessee Titans. On October 11, 2022, he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury and was activated on December 10. On May 1, 2023, the Jaguars declined the fifth-year option of Chaisson’s rookie contract, making him a free agent following the 2023 season.
Carolina Panthers (2024)
On March 16, 2024, Chaisson signed with the Carolina Panthers. He was released on September 3, 2024, before the regular season began.
Las Vegas Raiders (2024)
On September 10, 2024, Chaisson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 5, 2024.
New England Patriots (2025-Present)
On March 17, 2025, Chaisson signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the New England Patriots. In Week 7 of the 2025 season, Chaisson recorded two sacks, three tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in a 31-13 win over the Tennessee Titans. The fumble recovery for a touchdown was the first of his career, and his performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. In Week 16, Chaisson recorded three tackles, one tackle for loss, and a game-sealing forced fumble on wide receiver Zay Flowers during a 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chaisson has established himself as a versatile edge defender capable of playing multiple positions along the defensive line. His strengths include his explosive first step, ability to generate pressure on quarterbacks, and effectiveness against both the run and pass. His college background at outside linebacker in LSU’s defense translated well to his NFL role, where he continues to showcase his athleticism and playmaking ability.
Notable Events and Milestones
Chaisson’s Week 7 performance against Tennessee in 2025 marked a career milestone, as he earned his first AFC Defensive Player of the Week award while recording his first career defensive touchdown. His forced fumble against Baltimore later that season proved to be a clutch moment in a crucial victory. His Peach Bowl Defensive MVP performance in college remains one of his signature games at any level.
K’Lavon Chaisson Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Chaisson has accumulated significant statistical achievements across five seasons in the NFL. His career includes stints with four different teams, demonstrating his ability to contribute in various defensive systems.
NFL Career Highlights
Chaisson has appeared in 67 career NFL games with 136 total tackles, 17.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six pass deflections, one interception, and one defensive touchdown. His 2025 season with New England represents one of his most productive years, highlighted by his AFC Defensive Player of the Week performance and consistent pressure generation throughout the season. His college career was equally impressive, culminating in a national championship victory with LSU in 2019 and first-team All-SEC honors.
Other Achievements
Prior to his NFL career, Chaisson was a key contributor to LSU’s 2019 national championship team and earned SEC All-Freshman honors in 2017. His high school career included state championship MVP honors and multiple all-state recognitions. He was selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, validating his status as one of the top defensive prospects in his draft class.
| Career Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 67 |
| Total Tackles | 136 |
| Sacks | 17.5 |
| Forced Fumbles | 3 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 1 |
| Pass Deflections | 6 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs deep in Chaisson’s family bloodline. His father, Kelvin Chaisson, played linebacker for the Baylor Bears college football program. K’Lavon’s father was tragically shot and killed in November 2014, a devastating event that occurred during Chaisson’s high school years. The loss of his father profoundly shaped Chaisson’s journey in football and life, motivating him to pursue his dreams at the highest level of the sport.
Personal Life
Despite the challenges he faced losing his father at a young age, Chaisson has maintained a focused approach to his football career. He has spoken publicly about using his father’s memory as motivation throughout his collegiate and professional career. Chaisson continues to work diligently on his craft, seeking to honor his father’s legacy through his achievements on the field.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Chaisson’s professional career as he joined the New England Patriots. His transition to the Patriots’ defensive scheme proved successful, as he quickly became an integral part of their edge-rushing rotation. The Week 7 AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor validated his early-season impact and demonstrated his ability to make game-changing plays. His performance against the Tennessee Titans showcased his full skill set, combining pass-rush ability with ballhawking instincts on the fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Throughout the remainder of the 2025 season, Chaisson continued to be a consistent presence in the Patriots’ defense. His forced fumble against Baltimore in Week 16 exemplified his clutch performance in high-pressure situations. Working within New England’s defensive system, he maintained his reputation as a disruptive force who can affect the quarterback while also contributing against the run. His career trajectory with the Patriots showed promise for continued production in the seasons ahead.