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Christian Izien

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Christian Izien
refer to caption
Izien with the Buccaneers in 2023
No. 29 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (2000-06-08) June 8, 2000 (age 24)
Far Rockaway, New York, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:197 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:Erasmus Hall
(Flatbush, New York)
College:Rutgers (2018–2022)
Undrafted:2023
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 4, 2024
Total tackles:88
Interceptions:3
Pass deflections:2
Forced fumbles:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Christian Izien (born June 8, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL draft.

Early life

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Izien was born on June 8, 2000.[1] He grew up in Far Rockaway, New York, and attended Erasmus Hall High School.[2] A two-way player as a cornerback and wide receiver, he earned New York City Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior.[3] Ranked a three-star recruit, he opted to be near home by committing to play college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.[4]

College career

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As a true freshman at Rutgers in 2018, Izien appeared in four games as a special teams player.[2] He played all 12 games as a sophomore, totaling a secondary-leading 78 tackles while starting seven times.[4] He started all nine games in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, leading the team with four interceptions while also having 66 tackles.[4][5] Izien started all 13 games in 2021, being named honorable mention all-conference while having 75 tackles.[2][4] He again started every game in 2022, finishing with 41 consecutive starts while having 80 tackles on the year, earning another honorable mention all-conference selection.[2][4] Izien declared for the 2023 NFL draft and was invited to the Hula Bowl and East–West Shrine Bowl.[6]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 8+3⁄4 in
(1.75 m) 		199 lb
(90 kg) 		30+7⁄8 in
(0.78 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.43 s 1.59 s 2.50 s 4.25 s 6.81 s 41.5 in
(1.05 m)		 9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)		 20 reps
All values from Pro Day[7]

After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Izien was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.[8] He impressed in the off-season and made the final roster, being named the starting nickelback as a rookie.[9][10][11] He had interceptions in his first two games, becoming only the fourth undrafted player in NFL history to accomplish the feat.[12] As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 regular season games and made four starts. He finished with 65 total tackles (47 solo), two interceptions, two passes defended, and one forced fumble.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Christian Izien". ESPN. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "NFL Draft Profile: Christian Izien, Safety, Rutgers Scarlet Knights". Sports Illustrated. December 7, 2000. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Christian Izien". Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Garrett, Tommy (April 18, 2023). "Christian Izien, S, Rutgers | NFL Draft Scouting Report". Pro Football Network. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  5. ^ Iseman, Chris (May 7, 2021). "Rutgers safety Izien hopes to build on big end to 2020". Daily Record. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ Iseman, Chris (March 23, 2023). "DBs, punter Korsak impress scouts". The Central New Jersey Home News. p. B9 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Christian Izien College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Lanni, Patrick; Fonseca, Brian (April 29, 2023). "Rutgers football UDFA tracker: Here's where former Scarlet Knights signed after going undrafted in 2023 NFL Draft". NJ.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Dyer, Kristian (August 13, 2023). "Rutgers in the NFL: Christian Izien has impressed Todd Bowles in Tampa Bay Buccaneers camp". USA Today. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  10. ^ Wells, River (August 27, 2023). "CB Christian Izien confirmed to start at nickel corner for 2023". USA Today. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  11. ^ "Bucs Go Heavy on Front Seven in Initial 53-Man Roster". Buccaneers.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  12. ^ Smith, Scott (September 18, 2023). "Christian Izien Accomplishes Rare NFL Feat". Buccaneers.com.
  13. ^ "Christian Izien 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
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