Vic Beasley

Upon arriving at Clemson in 2010, Beasley was redshirted. He began working as a tight end. Due to Beasley's size and speed, he was also used as a scout team quarterback in his redshirt year.[5]

As a redshirt freshman in 2011, Beasley played sparingly. In nine games, he only played 16 snaps and recorded two tackles on the season.[6][7]

As a sophomore in 2012, Beasley recorded eight sacks.[8] He was named an Honorable Mention Sophomore All-American by College Football News.

Through the first six games of his junior season in 2013, Beasley led the nation in sacks with 13.[9] Beasley was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection and was named a consensus All-American.[10] Beasley and the Tigers upset #6 Ohio State Buckeyes in the Orange Bowl.[11]

Beasley opted to stay his senior year to finish his education instead of declaring for the 2014 NFL Draft.[12] He was projected to have been picked up in the second round as predicted by the NFL's draft advisory board. Beasley entered the year with 21 career sacks, which was seven away from setting the all-time school record for career which was set by Michael Dean Perry and Gaines Adams at 28. In October, he broke the record.[13] He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was again a consensus All-American.[14]

Prior to the draft, Beasley was praised for being an explosive athlete who was always first off the snap. Many scouts viewed him as a true edge bender who could torque his hips and shoulders to turn the corner. He was also recognized for his ankle flexion to dip and slalom around the corner at difficult angles to block. On the other hand, critics said Beasley lacked ideal arm length. They said he was too often content to stay blocked if his pass rush stalled out. Others said he needed to shed blocks more consistently against run. While many noted his good football character, some scouts were concerned about a lack of alpha-dog tenacity.[17] Beasley was selected with the eighth overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2015 NFL Draft.[18] He was Clemson's highest selected defensive player since the late defensive end Gaines Adams went fourth overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007.[19]

On June 12, 2015, Beasley agreed to terms his rookie contract.[20]

In Week 2 of his rookie season, Beasley recorded his first career sack, taking down New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, before generating his second sack the following week against Brandon Weeden of the Dallas Cowboys.[21][22] In Week 16 against the undefeated Carolina Panthers, Beasley made a strip-sack of Cam Newton in the final minutes of the game, securing a 20–13 upset of the Panthers and ruining the Panther's undefeated season.[23]

In 2016, Beasley moved from defensive end to the strongside linebacker position.[24] He recorded his first sack of the 2016 season in Week 2 against the Oakland Raiders.[25] Beasley had a breakout game in Week 5 of the 2016 season, playing the Denver Broncos, Beasley recorded eight total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.[26] He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 14 due to his performance against the Los Angeles Rams where he had three sacks and fumble return touchdown.[27][28] He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December.[29] Due to his performance during the 2016 season, Beasley was selected to his first Pro Bowl, but did not participate due to the Falcons making Super Bowl LI. [30][31] Beasley ended the season with a league-leading 15.5 sacks.[32][33] He was named First team All-Pro, and was ranked 40th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[34][35]

In Week 2, in the 34–23 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Beasley sacked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and forced a fumble, which was recovered by teammate Desmond Trufant for a touchdown.[36] However, in the game, he suffered a hamstring injury, and was ruled out for a month.[37] On the season, Beasley played in 14 games with eight starts, recording 29 tackles and only five sacks after being moved from defensive end to outside linebacker.[38]

On April 25, 2018, the Falcons exercised the fifth-year option on Beasley's contract.[39] He played in 16 games with nine starts, recording 20 combined tackles, five sacks, and three passes defensed.[40]

In Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Beasley recorded his first sack of the season in the 24–20 win.[41] In Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers, Beasley recorded two sacks, one of which was a strip sack that was recovered by teammate Tyeler Davison, in the 40–20 win.[42] Beasley played in 16 games with 15 starts, recording 42 combined tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles.[43] After the season, the Falcons announced that they would not re-sign him.[44] He became an unrestricted free agent at the beginning of the new league year on March 18, 2020.[45]

On March 31, 2020, Beasley signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.[46] He was placed on the reserve/did not report list at the start of training camp on July 28, 2020.[47] He reported to the Titans on August 7 and was moved back to the active roster.[48] He was placed on the active/non-football injury list on August 11.[49] He was activated on September 5, 2020.[50] Beasley was waived by the Titans on November 4 after recording only three tackles through seven games.[51]

On November 23, 2020, Beasley was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad.[52] He was elevated to the active roster on December 5 and 12 for the team's weeks 13 and 14 games against the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[53][54] On December 15, 2020, Beasley was promoted to the active roster.[55] In the 2020 season, Beasley appeared in ten games and finished with four total tackles and a forced fumble.[56]

Beasley was selected with the first overall pick in the 2023 XFL Defensive Front Seven Draft, by the Vegas Vipers.[57]