Azeez Al-Shaair

Azeez Al-Shaair (born August 4, 1997) is an American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida Atlantic.

Azeez Al-Shaair
refer to caption
Al-Shaair in 2023
No. 2 – Tennessee Titans
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-08-04) August 4, 1997
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:Hillsborough
(Tampa, Florida)
College:Florida Atlantic (2015–2018)
Undrafted:2019
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All C-USA (2017)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2022
Total tackles:198
Sacks:2.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:3
Interceptions:2
Pass deflections:7
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life and high school

Al-Shaair was born in Tampa, Florida and moved back and forth between Tampa and Saudi Arabia, where his father worked as an English instructor, as a young child until his parents divorced. He lived in Section 8 and became homeless as a sophomore in high school after his home burned down. He commuted two hours by bus from a motel to Hillsborough High School, where he played football.[1] As a senior, he made 126 tackles with 6.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries and also blocked six field goals and a blocked punt and was named first-team All-County.[2] Al-Shaair committed to play college football at Florida Atlantic University going into his senior year, but continued to go on recruiting visits in order to help feed his family.[3]

College career

Al-Shaair was a four year starter at linebacker for the Florida Atlantic Owls. As a freshman, Al-Shaair was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and named a Freshman All-American after recording a team-leading 94 tackles (7.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, two passes broken up and a forced fumble.[4] He again led the Owls in tackles as a sophomore with 113 (12 for loss) and returned an interception for a touchdown and was named honorable mention All-Conference USA.[5] As a junior, Al-Shaair led Conference USA with 147 tackles (11 for loss) along with 2.5 sacks, four passes defensed and a forced fumble and was named first-team all conference. He entered his senior year on the Butkus Award watchlist but tore his ACL in an October practice, ending his final season after six games.[6][7]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanBench press
6 ft 0+5⁄8 in
(1.84 m)		 234 lb
(106 kg)		 32+3⁄8 in
(0.82 m)		 9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		16 reps
All values from NFL Combine[8][9]

2019

Al-Shaair was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019.[10] Al-Shaair made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing exclusively on special teams and making two tackles in the 31-17 road victory.[11] The 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 31–20.[12] He did not appear in any postseason games. Al-Shaair played in 15 games with four starts as a rookie, making 18 tackles.[13]

2020

In Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football, Al-Shaair recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Carson Wentz during the 25–20 loss.[14]

2021

Al-Shaair entered the 2021 season as a starting linebacker for the 49ers. He started 13 games, finishing second on the team with 102 tackles, along with two sacks, five passes defensed, an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.[15]

2022

On March 15, 2022, the 49ers placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Al-Shaair.[16] He was placed on injured reserve with an MCL sprain on October 3, 2022.[17] He was activated on November 12.[18]

Tennessee Titans

On March 20, 2023, Al-Shaair signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.[19]

Personal life

Al-Shaair is a practicing Muslim and fasts during Ramadan, including when he was participating in FAU's summer practices.[20]

References
  1. Habib, Hal (August 29, 2018). "Faith fuels FAU linebacker Al-Shaair's rise toward stardom, NFL future". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  2. Taylor, Nate (February 2, 2015). "Meet the Owls' 2015 commits: Bios, highlights of prospects set to sign with FAU". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  3. Wolken, Dan (January 29, 2020). "Through teenage homelessness, 49ers' Azeez Al-Shaair kept NFL dream alive". USA Today. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  4. "Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair Named USA Today Freshman All-American". FAUSports.com. December 12, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  5. DeFranks, Matthew (August 29, 2017). "FAU breakdown: players to watch, keys to season, crucial games". New York Daily News. Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  6. Elman, Jake (July 23, 2018). "Florida Atlantic linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair named to Butkus Award watch list". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  7. Furones, David (October 18, 2018). "FAU linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has senior season cut short due to torn ACL". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  8. "Azeez Al-Shaair Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  9. "Azeez Al-Shaair 2019 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  10. Elman, Jake (April 27, 2019). "2019 NFL Draft: Florida Atlantic linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair signs with San Francisco 49ers as undrafted free agent". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  11. Hutchison, Jacob (September 9, 2019). "49ers snap count and position grades for Week 1 win over Bucs". KNBR.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  12. "Super Bowl LIV - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 2nd, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  13. "Azeez Al-Shaair 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  14. "Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers - October 4th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  15. "Azeez Al-Shaair 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  16. Posey, Kyle (March 15, 2022). "NFL rumors tracker: 49ers give Azeez Al-Shaair a second-round tender, 1-year offer for $3.98 million". Niners Nation. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  17. "49ers Promote Willie Snead IV; Place Azeez Al-Shaair on Injured Reserve". 49ers.com. October 3, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  18. "49ers Activate Four Players From Injured Reserve; Place Verrett on IR". 49ers.com. November 12, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  19. Wyatt, Jim (March 20, 2023). "Titans Agree to Terms With Former 49ers LB Azeez Al-Shaair". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  20. Reynolds, Tim (August 27, 2018). "High hopes: FAU star LB Azeez Al-Shaair has overcome plenty". APNews.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
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