Arden Key

Arden Key Jr. was born on May 3, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia. His football journey began at Hapeville Charter Career Academy in Union City, Georgia, where he excelled as a defensive end, recording 15.5 sacks in his senior year, 8 as a junior, and 12 as a sophomore. Committing to Louisiana State University (LSU), he was recognized as a four-star recruit by ESPN, ranking as the No. 6 defensive end prospect in the class of 2015. During his true freshman year at LSU in 2015, Key started nine out of 12 games, accumulating 41 tackles and five sacks, earning him freshman All-American honors. His collegiate career peaked in 2016 when he set a single-season school record with 12 sacks, subsequently receiving first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the Associated Press. In 2017, despite an injury limiting him to 8 games, he managed 33 tackles, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble, before declaring for the NFL Draft in January 2018.

Key entered the professional football scene when he was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round as the 87th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He played all 16 games in his debut season with the Raiders. His tenure with the Raiders, which included their transition to Las Vegas, saw him play in 7 games in 2019, cut short by a broken foot, and 14 games in 2020. In 2021, Key signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, participating in all 17 games of the season. The following year, March 2022, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars on another one-year deal, where he continued his consistent performance playing in all 17 games, starting three, and amassing 27 tackles and 4.5 sacks. In March 2023, Key signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. During the 2023 season, he played in 17 games with nine starts, recording 30 tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles. His 2024 season with the Titans saw him appear in 16 games, with 15 starts, achieving a career-high 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 18 pressures, and one pass deflection. Throughout his career, Key has consistently demonstrated his pass-rushing abilities and defensive impact across multiple NFL teams.