Julian Blackmon is a talented American football safety currently playing for the New Orleans Saints.
Known for his versatility and sharp ball skills, he has made a name for himself in the NFL through his impressive college career and professional achievements.
Despite injuries, he remains a key player on his team. Continue reading below to discover more about Julian Blackmon and his professional journey.
Who is Julian Blackmon?
Julian Blackmon is a professional football safety in the NFL. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 after a successful college spell at Utah.
Known for his quick reactions and athletic ability, Blackmon plays both safety and cornerback positions. His college career was distinguished, earning All-American honors.
His journey from Utah to the NFL shows dedication and resilience. He faced injuries early in his professional career but bounced back each time, earning respect from teammates and coaches.
His ability to adapt and perform under pressure makes him standout. Recently, he joined the New Orleans Saints, bringing his experience and skill to enhance their defensive lineup.
Blackmon’s journey is inspiring, showing how perseverance can lead to excellence in sports.
Julian Blackmon Early Life
Julian Blackmon was born on August 24, 1998, in Layton, Utah. He is American and carries Pacific Islander heritage, particularly of Samoan descent, which is a significant part of his cultural background.
Growing up in Utah, he was immersed in a family environment that valued strong community ties and hard work, common traits in many Pacific Islander families.
Although specific details about his parents are not broadly publicized, they provided a supportive foundation encouraging his love for sports and education.
Julian grew up with siblings, fostering a close-knit family atmosphere where teamwork and competition helped him develop skills valuable both on and off the field.
As a child, Julian was very active and passionate about sports, especially football and basketball.
His athletic talent showed early when he played multiple positions in high school football, including cornerback and wide receiver.
Beyond athletics, his upbringing in Layton exposed him to a community that nurtured discipline, respect, and resilience-qualities that helped him overcome challenges and injuries later in his career.
His Samoan roots influenced his strong sense of identity and belonging, while his childhood experiences in Utah gave him the dedication to excel academically and athletically.
This mix of cultural heritage and local upbringing shaped the person he became-a hardworking, determined athlete who values family and community as much as competition and excellence.
Julian Blackmon Age
Julian Blackmon is currently 27 years old as of 2025 because he was born on August 24, 1998.
His age reflects his experience and maturity in the sport, having played professionally for over six years and gaining valuable on-field knowledge.
Julian Blackmon Education
Julian Blackmon graduated from Utah in 2019, where he played college football as a key defensive player. He started as a cornerback before switching to safety in his senior year.
His college career was marked by strong performances, including being named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and The Athletic.
He played 48 games at Utah, starting 39 of them, and accumulated 158 tackles, nine interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. His versatility on defense helped him become a notable college athlete.
Blackmon’s academic journey at Utah helped shape his discipline and teamwork skills, preparing him for the challenges of the NFL.
NFL Draft and Early Expectations
Julian Blackmon entered the 2020 NFL Draft after a standout college career at Utah. He was seen as a versatile defensive back who could play both cornerback and safety.
Experts ranked him among the top safety prospects, with some predicting he would be picked in the mid to late rounds.
The Indianapolis Colts selected him in the third round with the 85th overall pick, making him the eighth safety chosen that year.
The Colts praised his athleticism and ability to cover multiple positions, though noted he was recovering from an ACL injury from college.
They were confident in his potential to contribute when healthy.
Rookie Season and Early Challenges
Blackmon’s rookie season in 2020 began with him recovering from his ACL injury. He was initially placed on the non-football injury list as he completed rehab.
He was officially added to the Colts’ active roster in late August. Early in the season, he was the third free safety on the depth chart but quickly moved up after injuries to other players.
Blackmon made his professional debut in September 2020 and soon earned his first career start.
During that season, he showed his potential by recording key tackles, pass deflections, and interceptions.
Despite the slow start because of injury recovery, he finished the year strong with reliable performances in 14 starts.
Injury Setback in 2021
Entering the 2021 season, Blackmon was the Colts’ starting free safety after the departure of a veteran player.
He showed promise in early games but then suffered a torn Achilles in October during practice.
This injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season. Despite the setback, he came back focused on rehab, showing determination to return stronger.
His 2021 season stats reflected the limited impact due to the injury, but the groundwork for a solid comeback was set.
Return and Consistency in 2022
In 2022, Blackmon returned as the Colts’ starting free safety. The defensive coordinator change brought competition, but Blackmon held his position through training camp.
During the season, he faced another minor ankle injury that caused him to miss a few games but remained a key contributor on the field.
He recorded his first career sack and scored a touchdown by returning an interception. His stats improved with consistent tackles, interceptions, and pass deflections.
Blackmon’s leadership in the secondary became more evident, and he helped stabilize a Colts defense going through changes, even as coaching shifts occurred midseason.
Also, Check Out This: Who Is NFL Player Baker Mayfield’s Wife Emily Wilkinson?
Career Peak and Injury in 2023
The 2023 season was a personal best for Blackmon in terms of statistics. He achieved new career highs in tackles and interceptions while maintaining solid coverage and pass defense.
Blackmon became recognized as one of the more reliable safeties in the league, earning a respectable Pro Football Focus grade ranked among the top safeties.
Unfortunately, his season cut short by a shoulder injury in Week 16, leading to placement on injured reserve in late December. This setback was another test of his resilience.
Signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2025
In July 2025, Blackmon signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, joining the team as an experienced safety expected to fill important roles in the secondary.
He was named a starter for the season opener but suffered a torn labrum in Week 1, which ended his season prematurely as he was placed on injured reserve.
Despite this, the Saints value his skill set and veteran presence, hoping for a full recovery and strong return.
Julian Blackmon Stats
Julian Blackmon’s NFL career stats as of the 2025 season are:
- Total tackles: 293 (220 solo, 73 assists)
- Sacks: 1.5
- Forced fumbles: 2
- Fumble recoveries: 4
- Pass deflections: 21
- Interceptions: 10
- Defensive touchdowns: 1
In the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts, Blackmon played 16 games, starting all, and recorded 86 combined tackles (62 solo), 4 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and half a sack.
He finished the season with a Pro Football Focus grade ranking him 48th among safeties.
In 2025, after signing with the New Orleans Saints, Blackmon played only one game before a shoulder injury (torn labrum) placed him on injured reserve.
In that game, he recorded 7 tackles and 1 pass defended. Over six seasons, Blackmon has appeared in 66 regular-season games with 62 starts, showing his consistency and reliability as a defensive back.
Julian Blackmon PFF
Julian Blackmon’s Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades reflect his growth and performance as an NFL safety over the past few years.
In 2023, he earned a career-high overall grade of 68.3 from PFF, ranking him 38th among 95 qualifying safeties.
This marked a significant improvement over his earlier NFL seasons, showing his development as a reliable defensive player.
In the 2024 season, Blackmon further improved, receiving an overall PFF grade of 69.3, which ranked him 48th among 170 safeties evaluated that year.
His coverage grade was notably strong at 73.5, placing him 23rd among safeties in coverage ability for the season.
His versatility to play multiple roles in the defensive backfield, including free safety, box safety, and slot roles, was highly valued and positively reflected in his PFF evaluations.
When Blackmon signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2025, he immediately contributed, earning a high PFF rating of 83.9 in his brief time on the field before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
This rating was the second-highest on the Saints’ defense during the Week 1 game, highlighting his impact despite limited playtime.
Overall, Pro Football Focus regards Julian Blackmon as a solid, versatile safety with improving performance and strong coverage skills, making him a valuable asset in any defensive secondary.
Is Julian Blackmon a Free Agent?
No, Julian Blackmon is not a free agent. As of July 2025, he signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.
He is currently under contract with the Saints, although he is on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury sustained early in the 2025 season.
What is Julian Blackmon’s Rating in Madden?
Julian Blackmon has an overall rating of 80 in Madden NFL 26. He plays the position of Strong Safety (SS) and has a Zone archetype.
His top defensive attribute is Play Recognition, rated 83. Other notable attributes include Speed, Acceleration, Agility, and Stamina, all rated at 89.
His tackling is rated 77, man coverage at 70, and zone coverage at 76. The rating reflects his well-rounded skills as a versatile safety in the NFL.
This rating remains consistent from the previous Madden NFL 25 version, where he also held an overall rating of 80.
These ratings help depict Blackmon as a fast, agile, and aware safety with strong coverage ability and solid tackling skills in Madden NFL 26.
What Happened with Julian Blackmon?
Julian Blackmon has faced significant injury challenges in recent years that have impacted his playing time.
In the 2021 NFL season, he suffered a torn Achilles during practice, which sidelined him for the rest of the season. Despite this, he made a strong comeback in following seasons.
In 2025, after signing a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, Blackmon started the season as a key defensive player.
Unfortunately, in the first game of the 2025 season, he suffered a torn labrum (shoulder injury), which required surgery and led to him being placed on season-ending injured reserve.
This injury cut short what was expected to be an impactful season with his new team.
Blackmon’s resilience and determination remain strong as he focuses on recovery with hopes to return to the field in the future.
Julian Blackmon Wife and Children
Julian Blackmon is currently married to Tyra Gilmore. The couple tied the knot on July 12, 2024, in a memorable ceremony held in Sandy, Utah.
Their wedding was unique and heartfelt, blending cultural traditions from their Samoan, Mexican, and Navajo backgrounds.
The ceremony featured traditional dances, Navajo songs and prayers, and a menu filled with Mexican and Samoan delicacies.
This celebration of their heritage showcased their deep pride in where they come from and their desire to share these roots with their loved ones.
Tyra Gilmore, a professional model and dancer, designed her own wedding gown, reflecting her personal style.
Their wedding was marked by intimate moments, including handwritten vows exchanged privately between them, officiated by Gilmore’s maternal grandfather.
Their daughter, Zella, also had a special part in the ceremony, serving as the flower fairy, highlighting the couple’s role as parents.
This shows that Blackmon and Gilmore balance their marriage with parental duties, embracing family life with joy and commitment.
The couple maintains a close and supportive relationship as they navigate the demands of Julian’s NFL career together.
Tyra’s presence has been a source of strength for Blackmon through injuries and the ups and downs of professional sports.
Together, they focus on building a loving home, supporting each other’s dreams, and planning a bright future.
Their relationship blends love, cultural respect, and shared goals, making their family life rich and fulfilling.
Julian Blackmon Net Worth
Julian Blackmon has an estimated net worth of around $5 million USD as of 2025. His income primarily comes from NFL contracts, endorsements, and sponsorship deals.
His rookie contract in 2020 was worth around $4.62 million, with subsequent contracts increasing his earnings.
Blackmon also earns from performance bonuses and signing extensions, such as his recent one-year deal with the Saints.
Investments and savings contribute to his financial stability, making him one of the rising earners in the NFL.
Julian Blackmon Height and Weight
Julian Blackmon stands about 6 feet, which is equal to 183 centimeters or 1.83 meters tall and weighs approximately 202 pounds which is equal to 92 kilograms.
His physique is athletic, with a strong build that helps him excel in coverage and tackling.
His appearance features a muscular frame, quick reflexes, and natural agility, which are key to his success as a safety.
Julian Blackmon Injury History
Julian Blackmon’s injury history has shaped his NFL career significantly.
In 2020, Blackmon started his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts while still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in college.
This injury delayed his debut, but he returned later in the season and showed promising play.
In 2021, Blackmon suffered a torn Achilles tendon during practice, which was severe enough to end his season prematurely.
This injury forced him to miss the remaining games that year, affecting his overall playing time.
During the 2023 season, Blackmon sustained a shoulder injury late in Week 16.
As a result, he was placed on injured reserve and missed the final games of the season while focusing on recovery.
Before this injury, he had a strong season with career-high tackles and interceptions.
In 2025, after signing with the New Orleans Saints, Blackmon suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder during the first game of the regular season.
This injury required surgery and placed him on season-ending injured reserve.
Currently, Blackmon is still recovering from shoulder surgery and is not expected to return in the 2025 season. His team and medical staff are focused on his rehabilitation and future comeback.
Social Media Presence
Julian Blackmon maintains active profiles on platforms like Instagram and X (Twitter).
He often shares highlights from his games, personal moments, and motivational content for fans. His presence helps connect with followers and inspire aspiring athletes.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, Julian Blackmon’s journey from a high school athlete in Utah to an NFL safety shows perseverance and dedication.
Despite injuries, he kept pushing forward. His versatility and resilience teach us that challenges can be opportunities to grow stronger.
His career encourages athletes to stay determined and adaptable. Blackmon’s story reminds us to chase our dreams with passion and patience.
Stay tuned for our next article! We’d love to hear your feedback, so please leave a comment below.
Recommended: Jeffery Mead Biography
