Julian Stanford is a former American football linebacker who played for several teams during his career. He began his football career at Bloomfield High School in New Jersey, where he was a standout player and earned All-State honors. He then went on to play college football at Wagner College, where he was a four-year starter and team captain.
After going undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft, Stanford signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. He spent the majority of his rookie season on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster for the final game of the season. He was released by the Jaguars in 2013 and signed with the Detroit Lions, where he played for two seasons.
In 2015, Stanford signed with the New York Jets, where he played for three seasons and became a key contributor on special teams. He recorded a career-high 14 tackles on special teams in 2016 and was named the Jets' special teams player of the year. He also saw some playing time on defense, recording 27 tackles and one sack during his time with the Jets.
After his time with the Jets, Stanford signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2018. He played in all 16 games for the Bills that season, recording 12 tackles and one sack. He also continued to be a key contributor on special teams, recording eight tackles.
In 2019, Stanford signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he played in 12 games and recorded 18 tackles. He was released by the Dolphins in 2020 and signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played in four games and recorded two tackles.
Overall, Stanford had a solid career as a special teams player and backup linebacker in the NFL. He was known for his toughness and work ethic, and was a respected leader in the locker room. While he never became a star player, he was a valuable contributor to every team he played for and earned the respect of his coaches and teammates.
🏈