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Kerry Hyder

Kerry Hyder Jr. (born May 2, 1991) is an American former professional football who played nine seasons in the (NFL). Undrafted out of in 2014, he appeared in 93 regular-season games, amassing 22 sacks, 163 combined tackles, and six fumble recoveries while suiting up for six teams, including the and . Hyder attended Stony Point High School in Round Rock, Texas, before committing to Texas Tech, where he played defensive end for the Red Raiders from 2009 to 2013, recording 11.0 sacks and earning second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. After going undrafted in the , he briefly signed with the ' practice squad but was released, leading him to stints in the and on other practice squads before earning a permanent roster spot with the Lions in 2015. Hyder's breakout season came in 2016 with , where he started 11 games and notched 8.0 sacks, earning a three-year contract extension the following year. He later played for the in 2019, the in 2020 (reaching with 8.5 sacks that year), the in 2021, and returned to the 49ers in 2022 before concluding his career with the Houston Texans in 2023. Known for his relentless pass-rushing ability despite his 6-foot-2, 275-pound frame, Hyder's journeyman career highlighted his perseverance as an undrafted player in a competitive league.

Early years

Early life

Kerry Hyder Jr. was born on May 2, 1991, in Austin, Texas. He is the son of Kerry Hyder Sr., a mechanic, and Jacqueline Nash, a beautician, and his cousin is former NFL cornerback Chris Houston. He grew up in Austin surrounded by a supportive family that emphasized hard work and community ties. At Lyndon B. Johnson High School, Hyder participated in football and basketball, recording 153 tackles, 5.0 sacks, and 2 interceptions as a junior, and over 100 tackles as a senior. From an early age, Hyder showed interest in athletics, particularly football, where he played running back in youth leagues before entering high school and transitioning to the defensive line after an injury, fostering a passion that his family and faith helped nurture as core motivations. Hyder married Jasmine Chaney, whom he first dated during his college years at an , with their relationship culminating in around 2014. The couple welcomed their daughter, Giavonna, in April 2015, marking the start of their family life amid Hyder's emerging professional pursuits.

College career

Hyder was rated as a three-star recruit and signed with Texas Tech in 2009 after receiving his first scholarship offer from the Red Raiders. He redshirted his true freshman season in 2009 before emerging as a key contributor on the defensive line for the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 2010 to 2013, appearing in 49 games under head coaches Tommy Tuberville and Kliff Kingsbury. Over that span, Hyder amassed 176 total tackles (125 solo), 11.0 sacks, and 8 forced fumbles while transitioning from strong-side defensive end to a versatile interior role on the defense. As a redshirt in 2011, Hyder recorded 42 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 12 games, helping anchor the Red Raiders' front seven. His junior year in 2012 marked a breakout, with 56 tackles, a Big 12-leading 14 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks—tying for the conference lead—earning him first-team All-Big 12 honors from media outlets and preseason recognition from multiple organizations. In 2013, Hyder's senior season, he stepped up as a defensive leader for the Red Raiders, registering 65 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and a conference-high 5 forced fumbles in 13 games, which secured him first-team All-Big 12 honors by the conference coaches.

Professional career

New York Jets

Following the , Kerry Hyder signed with the as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2014. His college performance at Texas Tech, where he recorded 7.5 sacks over his final two seasons, positioned him as a developmental prospect for the Jets' defensive line. Hyder participated in the Jets' and preseason, adapting to the rigors of professional football amid competition for limited roster spots on the defensive front. He appeared in all four preseason games, logging snaps primarily on special teams and as a rotational , though without recording any statistics. On August 30, 2014, the Jets waived Hyder as part of their final cuts to reach the 53-man active roster limit. He did not appear in any regular-season games during his time with the Jets.

Detroit Lions

Kerry Hyder joined the ' practice squad on September 7, 2015, after being waived by the team earlier that month. He was promoted to the active roster on January 2, 2016, ahead of the Lions' final regular-season game, where he appeared in his debut but recorded no statistics. Hyder earned a spot on the 53-man roster entering the 2016 season after recording three sacks in the preseason finale, transitioning from to to capitalize on his pass-rushing skills. His breakout year came amid injuries to key edge rushers like , providing Hyder with increased rotational opportunities; he appeared in all 16 games with two starts, leading the team with 8.0 sacks and recording 36 total tackles (23 solo). Hyder notched his first career sacks in the season opener on September 11, 2016, against the , where he brought down quarterback twice in a 39–35 victory. His contributions bolstered the Lions' defensive line, including 11 tackles for loss and a recovery, helping anchor a unit that improved its sack total from the prior year. As an exclusive rights following the 2016 season, Hyder received a one-year tender from the Lions on March 8, 2017, securing his return at a of $615,000. However, his 2017 campaign ended before the regular season began; during the preseason opener against the Colts on August 13, Hyder suffered a torn in his left leg, leading to his placement on injured reserve and missing all 16 games. Hyder signed a one-year extension with the Lions on March 10, 2018, worth $555,000, as he recovered from the injury. He returned to action in a rotational role, appearing in seven games without a start and registering six tackles (five solo) along with 1.0 late in the season against the . Over his four-year stint with from 2015 to 2018, Hyder played in 24 games, accumulating 42 tackles and 9.0 s while providing depth and situational on the defensive front.

Dallas Cowboys

On March 18, 2019, the Dallas Cowboys signed defensive end Kerry Hyder to a one-year contract worth $1 million, including $300,000 in guarantees and a $100,000 signing bonus. Hyder, who had previously demonstrated pass-rushing ability during his tenure with the Detroit Lions, joined the team as a depth option on the defensive line. In the 2019 season, Hyder served in a rotational role as a defensive end behind starters DeMarcus Lawrence and Robert Quinn, appearing in all 16 games without a start. He recorded 17 total tackles (10 solo) and 1.0 sack, contributing to the Cowboys' pass rush in limited snaps averaging about 15 per game. His lone sack occurred in Week 17 against the Washington Redskins on December 29, 2019, where he also tallied a season-high four tackles. Hyder became an unrestricted on March 18, 2020, and the Cowboys did not re-sign him at the conclusion of his contract.

San Francisco 49ers (first stint)

On March 23, 2020, the signed Kerry Hyder to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, marking his return to the after a year out of the league. The deal included $550,000 in guaranteed money and additional per-game roster bonuses totaling up to $250,000. Hyder, who had previously played for the and , joined the 49ers as a depth piece on the defensive line under Kyle and defensive coordinator Robert . In his lone season with the 49ers during the COVID-19-affected 2020 campaign, Hyder emerged as a key rotational pass rusher, starting 14 of 16 games and helping to bolster the team's edge rush amid injuries to starters like Nick Bosa. He recorded 49 total tackles (30 solo), including a career-high and team-leading 8.5 sacks, along with 18 quarterback hits and three passes defended. Notable performances included two sacks and a fumble recovery in a Week 12 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, contributing to the 49ers' defensive efforts despite the team's overall 6-10 record. Hyder's breakout year in revitalized his career, showcasing his quick first step and ability to disrupt quarterbacks from multiple alignments, often lining up as a stand-up edge defender opposite . Following the season, he became a and signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the in March 2021.

Seattle Seahawks

On March 23, 2021, the Seattle Seahawks signed defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. to a two-year contract worth $6.5 million, including $3.65 million in guarantees, following his breakout 2020 season with the San Francisco 49ers where he recorded 8.5 sacks. Hyder quickly adapted to the Seahawks' defensive scheme under coordinator Ken Norton Jr., emphasizing his versatility to play both edge and interior roles on the line, drawing comparisons to former Seahawks star Michael Bennett in his ability to rotate across positions. During the 2021 season, Hyder served as a key rotational player on Seattle's defensive front, appearing in 15 games with seven starts and contributing 33 total tackles (20 solo), 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries. His efforts helped bolster a Seahawks pass rush that ranked 20th in the NFL with 34 sacks, providing depth alongside starters like Darrell Taylor and Carlos Dunlap while adapting to the team's shift toward a more multiple-front defense. Hyder's contract with Seattle concluded after the 2021 campaign, and on March 18, 2022, the Seahawks released him, freeing up $1.95 million in cap space and allowing him to enter free agency.

San Francisco 49ers (second stint)

Hyder returned to the on March 24, 2022, signing a one-year contract worth up to $1.5 million, including $750,000 in guarantees, to provide veteran depth on the defensive line. This move reunited him with the organization where he had previously played in 2020, leveraging his familiarity with the scheme and prior experience from a stint with the in 2021. During the 2022 season, Hyder served in a backup role within the 49ers' deep and contending defensive front, appearing in all 16 games with just one start. His contributions were limited by the team's talent depth, resulting in rotational snaps where he recorded 19 total tackles, including 10 solo stops, and 1.0 . Despite the modest output, Hyder helped support a unit that ranked among the league's elite, aiding San Francisco's run to the . Hyder re-signed with the 49ers on April 17, 2023. He appeared in the first four games of the 2023 season, recording 1 tackle and 1.0 sack. The 49ers released him on October 7, 2023.

Houston Texans

Following his release from the , Kerry Hyder signed with the Houston Texans' on October 10, 2023. He was elevated to the active roster on November 23, 2023, and later returned to the after a brief on December 5. During the 2023 season, Hyder appeared in 2 games for the Texans, registering 2 tackles while providing rotational depth on the defensive line.

Awards and honors

College awards

During his junior season in 2012, Hyder earned first-team All-Big 12 honors from multiple media outlets, including the , for his standout defensive performance that included a team-high 14 tackles for loss and 5.5 . He was also selected to the second team by Big 12 coaches that year. Additionally, Hyder received honorable mention recognition as the Performance Awards National Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance on September 1 against Northwestern State, where he recorded three tackles for loss and a . In 2013, as a senior, Hyder garnered second-team All-Big 12 honors from both the and Big 12 coaches, highlighted by his 11.0 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles, leading the conference. Prior to the year, Hyder was named to the preseason watch lists for the , , and , recognizing his potential as one of the top defensive linemen in .

Professional achievements

Kerry Hyder's breakout season came in 2016 with the , where he led the team with 8.0 sacks despite starting as an undrafted free agent and player early in the year. His emergence included the first multi-sack game of his career, recording two sacks against quarterback in the season opener, contributing to a 39-35 victory. In recognition of his rapid improvement, Hyder received the Detroit Lions' 2016 Most Improved Player Award, voted by his teammates for his transition from longshot to key rotational defender. Over his career spanning eight seasons and games with multiple teams, Hyder accumulated 22.0 sacks and six fumble recoveries, establishing himself as a reliable pass rusher off the bench. Notable plays include his in a 2020 Week 12 win over the [Los Angeles Rams](/page/Los Angeles_Rams), where he notched two sacks and recovered a forced by teammate from quarterback , helping secure a 23-20 victory for the .

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