James Houston IV born November 16, 1998 is an American professional football linebacker currently a free agent. He played college football at the University of Florida before transferring to Jackson State. Houston began his college career at the University of Florida but redshirted his true freshman season after being suspended, along with eight other players, for his involvement in a credit card fraud scheme. In his redshirt freshman year, he played in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker, recording 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one blocked punt.
James Houston Biography 2024
During his redshirt sophomore season, he tallied 38 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. As a redshirt junior, he registered 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. After the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal. Houston transferred to Jackson State, where he played for one season. In his lone year with the Tigers, he accumulated 70 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and an interception. His standout performance earned him first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors.
James Houston Biography Details
| Born | November 16, 1998 (age 26)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
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| Weight | 248 lb (112 kg) |
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| High school | American Heritage
(Plantation, Florida) |
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| College | Florida (2017–2020)
Jackson State (2021) |
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| Position | Linebacker |
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| NFL draft | 2022 / round: 6 / pick: 217 |
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James Houston Early Life
Houston was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended the American Heritage School. As a highly regarded three-star recruit, he chose to play college football at the University of Florida, despite receiving offers from schools like Wisconsin, South Carolina, Michigan, and Miami.
College Career at Florida and Jackson State
College Team | Florida | Jackson State |
Years Played | 2017–2020 | 2021 |
Redshirt Freshman Stats | 28 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 forced fumbles | N/A |
Redshirt Sophomore Stats | 38 tackles, 6 TFL, 3.5 sacks | N/A |
Redshirt Junior Stats | 37 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble | N/A |
Transfer Year | N/A | 2021 |
Final Season Stats at Jackson State | N/A | 70 tackles, 24.5 TFL, 16.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 1 interception |
Awards and Honors | N/A | First-team All-SWAC |
Professional Career with Detroit Lions
NFL Team | Detroit Lions |
Draft Year | 2022 |
Draft Round & Pick | 6th round, 217th overall |
NFL Debut | November 28, 2022 |
2012 Stats | 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 solo tackles |
Injuries | Placed on IR, September 19, 2023 |
2024 Release Date | November 26, 2024 |
James Houston NFL Performance
Year | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
Total Tackles | 19 | N/A | N/A |
Sacks | 9.0 | N/A | N/A |
Forced Fumbles | 1 | N/A | N/A |
Fumble Recoveries | 1 | N/A | N/A |
Pre-Draft Measurables
Measurement | Value |
Height | 6 ft 0¼ in (1.84 m) |
Weight | 244 lb (111 kg) |
Arm Length | 34¼ in (0.87 m) |
Hand Span | 9 in (0.23 m) |
40-yard Dash | 4.74 s |
10-yard Split | 1.56 s |
20-yard Split | 2.62 s |
20-yard Shuttle | 4.48 s |
Three-Cone Drill | 7.41 s |
Vertical Jump | 39 in (0.99 m) |
Broad Jump | 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) |
Bench Press | 22 reps |
James Houston Impact on the Detroit Lions
Category | Impact |
Games Played | Multiple games, key contributor |
Sack Streak | 4-game sack streak in 2022 |
Fumble Recoveries | Key recovery during Thanksgiving Day matchup |
NFL Milestone | 3rd player in NFL history with 4-game sack streak |
College Career at Florida and Jackson State
University | Florida | Jackson State |
Years | 2017–2020 | 2021 |
Stats Summary | 28 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 forced fumbles (freshman) | 70 tackles, 24.5 TFL, 16.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles (senior) |
Awards | None | First-Team All-SWAC |
James Houston Key Games and Sacks
Game Date | Opponent | Sacks Recorded |
November 24, 2022 | Buffalo Bills | 2 sacks |
December 4, 2022 | Minnesota Vikings | 1 sack |
December 11, 2022 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 sack |
James Houston Injury Timeline
Injury Date | Event |
September 19, 2023 | Placed on injured reserve |
January 18, 2024 | Reinstated by Detroit Lions |
November 26, 2024 | Released by Detroit Lions |
Houston Career Achievements and Highlights
Award/Recognition | Year |
SWAC Newcomer of the Year | 2021 |
First-team All-SWAC | 2021 |
NFL Sack Streak (4 games) | 2022 |
College Recruiting Process
School | Florida | Wisconsin | South Carolina | Michigan |
Recruit Status | Committed | Offered | Offered | Offered |
Post-Transfer to Jackson State
Stat Category | 2021 Season Performance |
Tackles | 70 |
Tackles for Loss | 24.5 |
Sacks | 16.5 |
Forced Fumbles | 7 |
Interceptions | 1 |
James Houston NFL Draft Summary
Draft Year | 2022 |
Round | 6th |
Pick | 217th overall |
Team Drafted By | Detroit Lions |
James Houston Contract and Free Agency Status
Team | Status |
Detroit Lions | Released (November 2024) |
Free Agency Status | Currently a Free Agent |
James Houston Career Post-2024
Category | Status |
Free Agent | Active |
Future Potential | High potential as a pass rusher |
Career Sack Statistics by Season
Season | Total Sacks |
2022 | 9.0 |
2023 | N/A |
James Houston NFL Milestones
Milestone | Achievement |
NFL Sack Streak | 4-game streak |
First-Team All-SWAC | 2021 Season at Jackson State |
James Houston Net Worth
Houston previously signed a two-year contract worth $1.575 million.
James Houston Summary
James Houston IV is an American professional football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He began his college career at Florida before transferring to Jackson State, where he earned first-team All-SWAC honors in 2021. Houston was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and made an immediate impact, recording a four-game sack streak. He was placed on injured reserve in 2023 but was reinstated in 2024. Houston was released by the Lions in November 2024 and is now a free agent.
