Bruce Irvin

BIOGRAPHY

Bruce Pernell Irvin Jr. was born on November 1, 1987 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is an outside linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL.

Irvin attended Stockbridge High School in Stockbridge, Georgia, until transferring to Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia right before his junior year. He dropped out of high school during the middle of his junior year and instead attained his GED. Irvin attended Butler Community College before transferring to Mt. San Antonio College. While at Mt. San Antonio, Irvin had 72 tackles, 16 sacks, three forced fumbles and a touchdown on a fumble recovery. He was named a JC Athletic Bureau first team All-American and was the all-California Region III player of the year. Irvin transferred to West Virginia University in 2010. He finished the season second in the nation in sacks with 14. He was a second team all-Big East selection and an honorable mention All-American by SI.com. Irvin returned to West Virginia University after turning professional, earning his bachelor's degree in 2018.

The Seattle Seahawks selected Irvin in the first round (15th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was the highest selected West Virginia Mountaineer since Adam Jones in 2005. Irvin was also the first defensive end and fourth defensive linemen selected in 2012. He made his professional regular season debut in the Seattle Seahawks' season-opener at the Arizona Cardinals. On September 16, 2012, Irvin made his first career tackles and was credited with a half a sack against the Dallas Cowboys. He finished his rookie season with ten combined tackles (eight solo), eight sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 games and zero starts. On May 2, 2015, it was reported that the Seattle Seahawks opted to decline the fifth-year option on Irvin's rookie contract. On March 10, 2016, the Oakland Raiders signed Irvin, where he played 8 games. On November 7, 2018, Irvin signed a one-year contract with his hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons. On March 19, 2019, Irvin signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. Irvin re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks on April 23, 2020.[52] He suffered a torn ACL in week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 23, 2020.