Vinnie Sunseri
| No. 40 San Francisco 49ers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Safety | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth: | October 25, 1991 | ||
| Place of birth: | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | ||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Tuscaloosa (AL) Northridge | ||
| College: | Alabama | ||
| NFL Draft: | 2014 / Round: 5 / Pick: 167 | ||
| Career history | |||
| |||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
| Roster status: | Active | ||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
Tackles:5 | |||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
| |||
Vinnie Sunseri (born October 25, 1991) is an American football safety for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.
High school career
Sunseri began his career at Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw, North Carolina.[1] As a junior he made 107 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, two sacks, and five interceptions, while also rushing for 305 yards and three touchdowns. He moved to Northridge High School in January 2010; as a senior he recorded 144 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. He was selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game.[2]
Considered a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Sunseri was listed as the No. 18 outside linebacker in the nation in 2011.[3]
College career
As a freshman in 2011, Sunseri was second on the team with 11 special teams tackles, all coming on kickoff coverage. He has 31 total tackles to rank eighth on the team. He also plays on the punt return team and has recorded several attention-grabbing blocks. Kent State: Set a career-high with six tackles, including three solo stops. Along with fellow freshman Trey DePriest, registered several big hits on kickoff coverage. He also saw time at safety in the 48-7 win. Selected as the coaches' Special Teams Player of the Week. Penn State: Did not have a tackle but was named a Special Teams Player of the Week with excellent coverage on the kickoff team and blocking on punt return. Posted a highlight reel block against the No. 23 Nittany Lions by leaving his feet to complete a block that sprung Marquis Maze on a 43-yard punt return. North Texas: Recorded another big tackle night with six stops split between special teams and safety. Had three solo tackles. Arkansas: Assisted on two tackles in the win against the Razorbacks. Florida: Named a Special Teams Player of the Week by the Alabama coaching staff. Recorded two solo tackles and forced a fumble. Mississippi: Was once again named a Special Teams Player of the Week by the Alabama coaching staff. Totaled six tackles, including four solo stops. Tennessee: Totaled two tackles, including a solo stop. Recovered his first career fumble in the win against the Volunteers. Georgia Southern: Was named one of the Alabama coaching staff's Special Teams Players of the Week. Recorded one solo tackle on kickoff coverage. Auburn: Tied a career high with six tackles, including four solo stops. Recorded a quarterback hurry. Played significant time at safety in the second half against the Tigers.
Professional career
New Orleans Saints
Sunseri was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round, 167th overall, in the 2014 NFL Draft. On May 16, 2014, Sunseri signed a four-year contract Saints.[4] On November 12, 2014, Sunseri was placed on injured reserve with an arm injury.[5] On September 1, 2015, he was waived.[6]
On September 2, 2015, after clearing waivers, Sunseri was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.[7] On April 25, 2016, he was released.[8]
New England Patriots
On July 24, 2016, Sunseri was signed by the Patriots.[9] On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Patriots as part of final roster cuts.[10] On September 6, 2016, Sunseri signed to the Patriots' practice squad.[11] He was released by the Patriots on October 24, 2016.[12]
San Francisco 49ers
On November 1, 2016, Sunseri was signed to the 49ers' practice squad.[13] He was promoted to the active roster on November 22, 2016.[14]
Personal life
Sunseri's father is Sal Sunseri, current linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders, and his older brother is Tino Sunseri, who played quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
References
- ↑ Former Mav Sunseri shines in All-American football game. Union County Weekly. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ↑ "Vinnie Sunseri". 'BamaMag.com. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
- ↑ Vinnie Sunseri Recruiting Profile
- ↑ "New Orleans Saints sign three draft picks to four-year contracts". www.neworleanssaints.com. Retrieved 2016-05-14.
- ↑ "Sean Payton announces a number of roster moves after Wednesday's practice". www.neworleanssaints.com. Retrieved 2016-05-14.
- ↑ "New Orleans Saints cut ties with veterans, shelve injured players in roster trim". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2016-05-14.
- ↑ "New Orleans Saints place Vinnie Sunseri, Nick Toon, Ronald Powell on IR". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2016-05-14.
- ↑ "Saints' 2014 draft class dwindles to 1 after Vinnie Sunseri release". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2016-05-14.
- ↑ "Patriots sign second-year DB Vinnie Sunseri and rookie free agent OL Kyler Kerbyson".
- ↑ "Patriots reach the 53-man roster limit". Patriots.com.
- ↑ "Patriots sign two to the practice squad". Patriots.com.
- ↑ "Patriots release DL Anthony Johnson from the 53-man roster; release DB Vinnie Sunseri from the practice squad". Patriots.com. October 24, 2016.
- ↑ "49ers Sign S Vinnie Sunseri to the Practice Squad". 49ers.com. November 1, 2016.
- ↑ "49ers Place S Eric Reid on Injured Reserve, Announce Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 22, 2016.