BIOGRAPHY
Sharif Finch was born October 1, 1995, in Queens, New York. He is an outside linebacker for the New York Jets in the NFL.
In 2013, Finch played 11 games and started twice as a true freshman for the Temple Owls. In the season finale, he batted down a pass on 3rd down forcing Memphis to punt, and then blocked the punt on the following play which Temple recovered in the endzone for a Touchdown. In the 2014 season, Finch moved to defensive end and played in all 13 games, and started in 11 games. In the first defensive play of the first home game against Navy, he forced a fumble that he recovered in the endzone for a touchdown. In the next game against Delaware State, Finch recorded his first career interception, where he returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. In 2015, Finch’s production declined as the team went with a defensive end rotation strategy. He played in 12 games and missed one game to nurse a knee injury. In the season-opening game at Penn State, he recorded a 26-yard interception return to set up Temple’s game-winning score. Finch finished tied for second in the nation in blocked kicks. In 2016, knee injuries limited Finch to just four games. He was granted a medical redshirt exception, allowing him to play in the 2017 season.
In the 2017 season, Finch played in all 13 games with 12 starts. He recorded 55 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His team-leading 8.5 sacks were a single-season career-high. He was named to the Second Team All-American Athletic Conference and ECAC First Team All-East. On March 19, 2018, Finch participated in the Temple ProDay, an event where Temple football players demonstrate their skills to an audience of NFL scouts and coaches. Twenty-two NFL teams attended this event.
On November 3, 2020, Finch was signed to the New York Jets' practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on January 2, 2021.
