# Daijahn Anthony
**Daijahn Anthony** (Daijahn Nyckell Anthony, born 2000) is an [American football](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-football) safety for the [Cincinnati Bengals](https://www.edgepedia.org/cincinnati-bengals) of the [National Football League](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-football-league), who was selected by the Bengals in the seventh round, 224th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft.[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm) He played his college career at three schools, moving from Division II Shepherd University to Liberty University and finishing at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), and reached the NFL without a Division I scholarship offer out of high school.[2](https://www.bengals.com/team/players-roster/daijahn-anthony/situational/2025/reg/) • [3](https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-honor-ole-miss-safety-daijahn-anthony-s-journey-with-seventh-round-selection-in-nfl-draft)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2000, Richmond, Virginia[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm) |
| Position, size | Safety, 6 ft 0 in, about 195 to 200 pounds[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm) |
| College stops | Shepherd (2019-20), Liberty (2021-22), Ole Miss (2023)[2](https://www.bengals.com/team/players-roster/daijahn-anthony/situational/2025/reg/) |
| 2023 season | 61 tackles, 3 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble; led Ole Miss in interceptions and passes defended[4](https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/player/53453/) • [3](https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-honor-ole-miss-safety-daijahn-anthony-s-journey-with-seventh-round-selection-in-nfl-draft) |
| Draft | Bengals, Round 7, 224th overall, 2024, via a trade with the Houston Texans[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm) • [5](https://www.nfl.com/players/daijahn-anthony/) |
| Combine | Official 4.55-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine[5](https://www.nfl.com/players/daijahn-anthony/) |
| NFL career | 18 games (0 starts) over 2024-2025, 7 combined tackles, 1 pass defensed[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm) |
## Early life
Anthony grew up in [Richmond, Virginia](https://www.edgepedia.org/richmond-virginia), and attended Henrico High School (Pro-Football-[Reference](https://www.edgepedia.org/reference) also lists Hermitage High School in Virginia).[6](https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/daijahn-anthony-p48sm7) • [1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm) He received no Division I scholarship offers and has said he had zero offers out of high school; Division II Shepherd University in [West Virginia](https://www.edgepedia.org/west-virginia) gave him a chance to walk on, and he quickly earned a scholarship.[3](https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-honor-ole-miss-safety-daijahn-anthony-s-journey-with-seventh-round-selection-in-nfl-draft) • [7](https://steelersdepot.com/2024/04/2024-nfl-draft-scouting-report-ole-miss-s-daijahn-anthony/)
His mother, Latasha, died of kidney failure on September 17, 2011, eight days after his 11th birthday. His grandmother, Virginia Pair, a home health worker who attended his games and predicted he would reach the NFL, died of stage 4 cancer on March 5, 2021, his mother's 42nd birthday.[8](https://www.bengals.com/news/daijahn-anthony-goes-from-draft-underdog-to-preseason-prime-time-i-play-the-game-because-it-changed-my-life)
## College career
**Shepherd and Liberty.** As a Shepherd freshman in 2019, Anthony played 10 games with 14 tackles and 2 interceptions; the 2020 season was canceled because of COVID-19.[6](https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/daijahn-anthony-p48sm7) • [7](https://steelersdepot.com/2024/04/2024-nfl-draft-scouting-report-ole-miss-s-daijahn-anthony/) He transferred to Liberty in [Lynchburg, Virginia](https://www.edgepedia.org/lynchburg-virginia), partly to be closer to his ailing grandmother, and walked on before the 2021 season. He earned 23 academic credits in one summer to become eligible, moving from walk-on to scholarship player before appearing in a game, and played cornerback there for two seasons, recording 3 interceptions over that span with a 2022 career year of 28 tackles, 4 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions.[8](https://www.bengals.com/news/daijahn-anthony-goes-from-draft-underdog-to-preseason-prime-time-i-play-the-game-because-it-changed-my-life) • [7](https://steelersdepot.com/2024/04/2024-nfl-draft-scouting-report-ole-miss-s-daijahn-anthony/) • [6](https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/daijahn-anthony-p48sm7)
**Ole Miss.** After the 2022 season Anthony entered the transfer portal, received about 40 offers, and chose Ole Miss in the [Southeastern Conference](https://www.edgepedia.org/southeastern-conference), in part because defensive coordinator Pete Golding told him he would develop him into an NFL safety.[8](https://www.bengals.com/news/daijahn-anthony-goes-from-draft-underdog-to-preseason-prime-time-i-play-the-game-because-it-changed-my-life) In his single 2023 season he played all 13 games with 10 starts, made 61 tackles (2.5 for loss) with 3 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble, and led the team in interceptions and passes defended.[6](https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/daijahn-anthony-p48sm7) • [4](https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/player/53453/) • [3](https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-honor-ole-miss-safety-daijahn-anthony-s-journey-with-seventh-round-selection-in-nfl-draft) His most noted play was a hit on LSU quarterback [Jayden Daniels](https://www.edgepedia.org/jayden-daniels) in 2023 that forced a fumble Ole Miss recovered.[7](https://steelersdepot.com/2024/04/2024-nfl-draft-scouting-report-ole-miss-s-daijahn-anthony/) Across his FBS career he totaled 102 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble in 47 games.[7](https://steelersdepot.com/2024/04/2024-nfl-draft-scouting-report-ole-miss-s-daijahn-anthony/) • [3](https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-honor-ole-miss-safety-daijahn-anthony-s-journey-with-seventh-round-selection-in-nfl-draft)
## Draft and scouting
Anthony was a late Day 3 prospect. The Consensus Big Board ranked him 279th overall, with individual rankings from ESPN (330th), [Pro Football Focus](https://www.edgepedia.org/pro-football-focus) (252nd), Sporting News (220th), and [CBS Sports](https://www.edgepedia.org/cbs-sports) (170th).[9](https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/5/23/24161001/daijahn-anthony-nfl-draft-value-2024-cincinnati-bengals-ole-miss-rebels) NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, an [NFL draft](https://www.edgepedia.org/nfl-draft) analyst, projected Rounds 5-6 with a 5.93 grade in the "Average Backup Or Special-Teamer" tier, describing a hard-hitting safety with man coverage tools who lined up as both a big nickel and a split safety.[9](https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/5/23/24161001/daijahn-anthony-nfl-draft-value-2024-cincinnati-bengals-ole-miss-rebels) Ourlads projected Rounds 5-7 and noted his slot and boundary safety alignment, good change of direction, and a tendency to miss tackles by leaving his feet.[4](https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/player/53453/) At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine he ran an official 4.55-second 40-yard dash, measured 6-0 and 195 pounds, and posted a 37-inch vertical jump.[5](https://www.nfl.com/players/daijahn-anthony/) • [10](https://nfldraftbuzz.com/player/Daijahn-Anthony-CB-Liberty)
The Bengals selected him 224th overall in the seventh round, a pick acquired in a trade with the [Houston Texans](https://www.edgepedia.org/houston-texans).[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm) • [5](https://www.nfl.com/players/daijahn-anthony/) Head coach [Zac Taylor](https://www.edgepedia.org/zac-taylor) said "He's earned it," citing the path from Shepherd to Liberty to Ole Miss.[3](https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-honor-ole-miss-safety-daijahn-anthony-s-journey-with-seventh-round-selection-in-nfl-draft)
## NFL career
Anthony made the Bengals' 53-man roster coming out of his first training camp in 2024, after three interceptions in the first nine practices of camp and a spot in the first-team dime package.[11](https://media.browns.1rmg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/15165211/wr241015-week-7-game-7-bengals-browns.pdf) • [8](https://www.bengals.com/news/daijahn-anthony-goes-from-draft-underdog-to-preseason-prime-time-i-play-the-game-because-it-changed-my-life) As a rookie he played 13 games with no starts, recording 3 combined tackles and 1 pass defensed.[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm)
In 2025 he was placed on injured reserve in August, was designated for return, and was activated in November; he appeared in 5 games with 4 combined tackles.[4](https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/player/53453/) • [1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm) Through two seasons he has played 18 games with 7 combined tackles and 1 pass defensed, with Pro Football Focus assigning him a 53.1 overall defensive grade on limited 2025 snaps (32).[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm) • [12](https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/daijahn-anthony/147537) Scouting services have consistently described his profile as that of a backup and special-teams contributor with versatility across slot cornerback, nickel, and both safety spots.[9](https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/5/23/24161001/daijahn-anthony-nfl-draft-value-2024-cincinnati-bengals-ole-miss-rebels) • [13](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/26700961/daijahn-anthony/)
## References
1. [Daijahn Anthony Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College, Pro-Football-Reference](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnthDa00.htm)
2. [Daijahn Anthony, Cincinnati Bengals roster biography, Bengals.com](https://www.bengals.com/team/players-roster/daijahn-anthony/situational/2025/reg/)
3. [Bengals Honor Ole Miss Safety Daijahn Anthony's Journey With Seventh-Round Selection In NFL Draft, Bengals.com](https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-honor-ole-miss-safety-daijahn-anthony-s-journey-with-seventh-round-selection-in-nfl-draft)
4. [Daijahn Anthony, Ourlads NFL Scouting Services](https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/player/53453/)
5. [Daijahn Anthony Stats, News and Video, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/players/daijahn-anthony/)
6. [Daijahn Anthony, Draft Nation](https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/daijahn-anthony-p48sm7)
7. [2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ole Miss S Daijahn Anthony, Steelers Depot](https://steelersdepot.com/2024/04/2024-nfl-draft-scouting-report-ole-miss-s-daijahn-anthony/)
8. [How Bengals Rookie S Daijahn Anthony Went From Draft Underdog To Preseason Prime Time, Bengals.com](https://www.bengals.com/news/daijahn-anthony-goes-from-draft-underdog-to-preseason-prime-time-i-play-the-game-because-it-changed-my-life)
9. [Assessing the value Cincinnati Bengals got in Ole Miss Rebels' Daijahn Anthony, Cincy Jungle](https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/5/23/24161001/daijahn-anthony-nfl-draft-value-2024-cincinnati-bengals-ole-miss-rebels)
10. [Daijahn Anthony Cornerback Ole Miss, NFL Draft Buzz](https://nfldraftbuzz.com/player/Daijahn-Anthony-CB-Liberty)
11. [Cincinnati Bengals week 7 media guide (2024), noting Anthony made the 53-man roster](https://media.browns.1rmg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/15165211/wr241015-week-7-game-7-bengals-browns.pdf)
12. [Daijahn Anthony, PFF NFL player page](https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/daijahn-anthony/147537)
13. [Daijahn Anthony, CBS Sports player page](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/26700961/daijahn-anthony/)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Rugby and other football codes › American football players, coaches, and executives › Safeties › Surnames A to M*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license