Marquise Blair Bio
Marquise Damond Blair (born July 18, 1997) is an American professional football safety who currently plays in the National Football League. He has played for multiple NFL franchises including the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Jets. Originally selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Blair has built a reputation as a versatile defensive back capable of playing both safety and slot cornerback positions. His journey from high school standout in Ohio through junior college and ultimately to the NFL demonstrates his determination and resilience throughout his football career.
Throughout his professional career, Blair has contributed on special teams and in defensive packages while navigating several significant injuries. His ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and contribute in various roles has kept him in the league despite roster changes. Blair continues to pursue opportunities at the highest level of American football.
Early Life and Background
Marquise Blair was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on July 18, 1997, and grew up in Wooster, Ohio. He attended Wooster High School in Wooster, Ohio, where he quickly established himself as an exceptional defensive player. As a senior, Blair earned First-team Division II all-state honors, First-team Division II All-Ohio recognition, and was named the Ohio Cardinal Conference Defensive Player of the Year. These accolades highlighted his dominance at the high school level and set the foundation for his collegiate career.
His success at Wooster High School demonstrated the defensive instincts and physicality that would characterize his playing style throughout his football journey. The skills he developed during his high school years in Ohio provided a strong base for his transition to the next level of competition.
Path to the NFL
Blair began his college football career at Dodge City Community College in Kansas from 2015 to 2016. At the junior college level, he continued to excel defensively, earning recognition as a first-team junior college All-American selection. During his time at Dodge City, Blair accumulated over 100 tackles, 3 sacks, and 4 interceptions while being named an all-conference selection as a freshman. His outstanding performance made him an attractive prospect for major Division I programs.
After the 2016 season, Blair transferred to the University of Utah to continue his college football career. He worked his way into the starting lineup during the 2017 season, starting 6 of 9 games and recording over 48 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 pass breakups before suffering a season-ending injury against UCLA. The adversity he faced during his junior year tested his resilience and determination to continue playing at the highest collegiate level.
As a senior in 2018, Blair started all 14 games with 12 starts, earning Second-team All-Pac-12 honors. He finished the season with 59 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. His consistent performance and ability to stay healthy throughout the season solidified his reputation as a playmaking safety and increased his draft profile.
Marquise Blair Career
Seattle Seahawks First Stint (2019-2021)
Blair was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft. His selection by Seattle represented the culmination of his journey from high school standout to Division I player to professional athlete. Joining a Seahawks team with a strong defensive identity, Blair competed for playing time in their secondary.
During the 2020 NFL season, Blair was named the starting nickelback, showcasing his versatility by transitioning from his original safety position to playing in the slot. He made an immediate impact in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, recording seven tackles and forcing a fumble in a 38-25 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. His performance demonstrated his ability to make plays against NFL competition. In the second game against the New England Patriots, Blair stepped in as free safety after Quandre Diggs was ejected, but his season ended shortly after when a teammate rolled onto his leg during a tackle, resulting in an ACL tear. The Seahawks placed him on injured reserve on September 23, 2020.
Blair entered the 2021 season as the backup free safety to Quandre Diggs. He appeared in six games before suffering another knee injury in Week 7. The Seahawks placed him on injured reserve on November 12, 2021, ending his season. On August 30, 2022, Blair was waived by the Seahawks, concluding his first tenure with the organization.
Carolina Panthers (2022)
Following his release from Seattle, Blair joined the Carolina Panthers organization. On September 5, 2022, he signed with the Panthers practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 6, 2022, before being released the following day. The brief stint on the active roster provided him with experience in a different defensive system within the NFL.
Philadelphia Eagles (2022-2023)
Blair continued his NFL journey by signing with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on November 16, 2022. He was released on December 13 during his first season with the team. On February 9, 2023, Blair signed a reserve/futures deal with the Eagles, indicating the team’s interest in his potential for the 2023 season. However, he was released by the team on April 24, 2023, with an NFI designation, ending his time with the Eagles organization.
Seattle Seahawks Second Stint (2024)
Blair returned to familiar territory when he signed with the Seattle Seahawks on July 26, 2024. This reunion gave him an opportunity to reconnect with the organization that originally selected him in the draft. He was released on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was eventually released from the practice squad on September 24, 2024, concluding his second stint with the Seahawks.
New York Jets (2024)
Blair continued his professional football career by joining the New York Jets organization. On October 17, 2024, Blair was signed to the Jets practice squad. He was released on November 5, 2024, ending his time with the team. The opportunity with the Jets represented another chance for Blair to contribute at the NFL level despite the roster fluctuations that have characterized his professional career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Blair has demonstrated versatility throughout his career, lining up as both a traditional safety and a slot cornerback. His ability to play multiple defensive back positions has allowed him to contribute in various packages and defensive schemes. He has shown physicality against the run and the capability to cover receivers in the slot, making him a flexible option for defensive coordinators seeking players who can handle multiple responsibilities in the secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
Blair’s career has been marked by significant injuries that interrupted his momentum, including ACL tears in both 2020 and 2021. Despite these setbacks, he has demonstrated resilience by continuing to pursue opportunities in the NFL. His draft selection in the second round by the Seahawks and his All-Pac-12 recognition at Utah represent the highlights of his football career to date.
Marquise Blair Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Blair has accumulated 52 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 pass deflections across his time with multiple teams. His career has been interrupted by injuries that limited his availability and development opportunities. Despite these challenges, he has continued to work toward contributing at the professional level.
| Season | Team | Games | Tackles | Forced Fumbles | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Seattle Seahawks | 12 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | Seattle Seahawks | 2 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | Seattle Seahawks | 6 | 12 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | Carolina Panthers / Philadelphia Eagles | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Philadelphia Eagles | 6 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | Seattle Seahawks / New York Jets | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
2025 Season Outlook
As Blair enters the 2025 season, he remains a free agent seeking an opportunity to continue his NFL career. His journey through multiple teams in recent years reflects both the competitive nature of the league and his determination to remain in professional football. Should he secure a roster spot, Blair will look to stay healthy and contribute in a defensive backfield role. His versatility as both a safety and slot cornerback provides him with value to teams seeking players who can handle multiple responsibilities. The 2025 season represents another opportunity for Blair to establish himself as a consistent contributor at the NFL level while demonstrating the resilience that has characterized his professional career.