Clayton Fejedelem

Clayton Fejedelem ( ; born June 2, 1993) is an American former professional football player who was a safety and special teamer in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Saint Xavier Cougars and Illinois Fighting Illini, and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft.

Early life A native of Illinois, Clayton Fejedelem attended Lemont High School in Lemont, Illinois, where he lettered in football, wrestling, and lacrosse. Fejedelem was a two-time All-Conference selection in football for the Lemont Indians, and earned All-State honors in football as a senior in 2010. That same year, he also earned South Suburban Blue Player of the Year honors.

College career

Saint Xavier University Fejedelem played two seasons at NAIA Saint Xavier University from 2011 to 2012. In 2011, he recorded 68 tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss, five interceptions, a team-high nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one pick-six touchdown. Clayton was named St. Xavier Newcomer of the Year in 2011 after helping the Cougars to the NAIA Championship and 14–1 record. He led SXU to an 11–2 record in 2012, racking up 87 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, 3 interceptions, 8 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries to earn second-team All-Mid-State Football Association honors.

Cincinnati Bengals Fejedelem was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round, 245th overall, in the 2016 NFL draft. In his rookie season, he appeared in all 16 games and recorded three total tackles. In the 2017 season, he appeared in all 16 games as a team captain and started five. He recorded one interception, two passes defensed, and 56 total tackles. In the 2018 season, he was named a team captain, played in all 16 games and started one.. During the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, he recorded a game-clinching 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown on a drive where the Colts were threatening to score and go ahead late. In 2019, he was named a team captain and played in all 16 games.

Miami Dolphins On March 20, 2020, Fejedelem signed a three-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. In the 2020 season, he was named special teams captain and appeared in 13 games after missing the first three due to injury. He recorded one forced fumble and 10 tackles total. Against the Las Vegas Raiders, he rushed for 22 yards on a fake punt to convert a 4th-and-1 to extend a drive that ended in a Miami touchdown.

On September 1, 2022, Fejedelem was placed on injured reserve. He was activated on October 8.

Personal life The son of Steven and Colleen Fejedelem, Clayton has two brothers, Ryan (older) and Jeremy (younger). They were born and raised in Lemont, Illinois, a southwestern suburb of Chicago. Fejedelem attended Saint Xavier University as a business major in 2011, but transferred to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2013 where he walked on and graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications in 2015. The couple welcomed their son in December 2020, and a daughter in July 2022.