{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Jonathan Ledbetter | image = LedbetterUGA.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Ledbetter with the Georgia Bulldogs in 2018 | current_team = | number = 98, 93 | position = Defensive end | birth_date = {{birth date and age |1997|9|12|mf=y}} | birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 4 | weight_lbs = 282 | high_school = Tucker (GA) | college = Georgia | undraftedyear = 2019 | pastteams = * Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}}) * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2021|2023}}) | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 26 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = 1.5 | pfr = L/LedbJo01 }} '''Jonathan Leroy Ledbetter''' (born September 12, 1997) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.
==Early life== Ledbetter grew up in Tucker, Georgia and attended Tucker High School. He was considered by most scouting services to be a top ten defensive end in his class and was selected to play in the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thechampionnewspaper.com/news/local/ledbetter-receives-under-armour-all-american-jersey/|title=Ledbetter receives Under Armour all-American jersey|first=Carla|last=Parker|work=The Champion|date=October 17, 2014|access-date=September 10, 2019|archive-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611052108/http://thechampionnewspaper.com/news/local/ledbetter-receives-under-armour-all-american-jersey/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ledbetter initially committed to play college football for the University of Alabama, but de-committed and decided to play at the University of Georgia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2014/08/jonathan_ledbetters_mom_explai.html|title=Jonathan Ledbetter's mom explains why son switched commitment from Alabama to Georgia|first=Drew|last=Champlin|website=AL.com|date=January 13, 2019|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref>
==College career== Ledbetter played four seasons for the Georgia Bulldogs. After serving a suspension for the first six games of the season stemming from off the field issues, He entered the starting lineup during his sophomore year and finished the season with 24 tackles and a sack in seven games played.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.macon.com/sports/college/university-of-georgia/bulldogs-beat/uga-football/article146216099.html|title=Following arrests, Ledbetter realized it was time to mature and focus on football|first=Jason|last=Butt|work=The Telegraph|date=April 22, 2017|access-date=September 8, 2019}}</ref> As a junior, making 38 tackles (5.5 for loss) with 2.5 sacks in 15 games (11 starts) in Georgia's run to the Playoff National Championship Game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ugawire.usatoday.com/2018/01/16/jonathan-ledbetter-makes-nfl-decision-posts-sincere-letter-to-fans/|title=Jonathan Ledbetter Makes NFL Decision, Posts Sincere Letter To Fans|first=Karsen|last=Hicks|work=UGA Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=January 16, 2018|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> In his senior season, Ledbetter led all Georgia defensive linemen with 56 tackles and finished second on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss with a sack and two forced fumbles and was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference by the league's coaches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redandblack.com/sports/analyzing-former-georgia-defensive-lineman-jonathan-ledbetter-s-fit-with/article_efa68bce-71a8-11e9-8971-bf43d1eec058.html|title=Analyzing former Georgia defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter's fit with the Miami Dolphins|first=Henry|last=Queen|work=The Red & Black|date=May 8, 2019|access-date=September 8, 2019}}</ref> He finished his collegiate career with 122 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stampedeblue.com/2019/4/11/18300829/colts-prospect-interviews-jonathan-ledbetter-defensive-end-georgia|title=Colts Prospect Interviews: Jonathan Ledbetter, Defensive End, Georgia|first=Zach|last=Hicks|website=StampedeBlue.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=April 11, 2019|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> Following the end his final season, Ledbetter received an invitation to play in the 2019 Senior Bowl.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ugawire.usatoday.com/2019/01/23/reeses-senior-bowl-guide-how-to-keep-up-with-de-jonathan-ledbetter/|title=Reese's Senior Bowl guide: how to keep up with DE Jonathan Ledbetter, LS Nick Moore|first=Jason|last=Fryburger|work=UGA Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=January 23, 2019|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 3 3/4 | weight = 280 | dash = 5.14 | ten split = 1.70 | twenty split = 2.97 | shuttle = 4.69 | cone drill = 7.72 | vertical = 26.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 0 | bench = 22 | arm span = 34 1/2 | hand span = 9 7/8 | note = Sources:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jonathan-ledbetter/32004c45-4430-0302-1f2e-6efaf83b105d |title=Jonathan Ledbetter Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1002530&DraftYear=2019 |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Jonathan Ledbetter College Football Profile |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
===Miami Dolphins=== Ledbetter signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019 and made the team out of training camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/georgia/Article/Elijah-Holyfield-Jonathan-Ledbetter-sign-as-undrafted-free-agents-Georgia-Football-131597779/|title=Four Bulldogs to sign as undrafted free agents|first=Jake|last=Rowe|website=247Sports.com|date=April 27, 2019|access-date=September 8, 2019}}</ref> Ledbetter made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, starting at defensive end and making four tackles with a combined sack in a 59-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-drop-season-opener-to-ravens|title=Dolphins Drop Season Opener To Ravens|first=Alain|last=Poupart|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=September 8, 2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on September 12, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.local10.com/sports/nfl/dolphins/carradine-re-signs-with-dolphins-after-ledbetter-placed-on-ir|title=Carradine re-signs with Dolphins after Ledbetter placed on IR|first=Peter|last=Burke|website=Local10.com|date=September 12, 2019}}</ref> He was waived with a non-football injury designation on April 21, 2020,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=MiamiDolphins |title=We have waived defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter with a non-football injury designation. |number=1252705746040557569 |date=April 21, 2020 |accessdate=April 21, 2020}}</ref> and reverted to the team's reserve/non-football injury list the next day.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dolphins' Jonathan Ledbetter: Moves to non-football injury list |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/dolphins-jonathan-ledbetter-moves-to-non-football-injury-list/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref>
On August 31, 2021, Ledbetter was waived by the Dolphins.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Dolphins Announce Roster Moves - August 31|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/roster-moves-dolphins-announce-roster-moves-august-31|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=August 31, 2021}}</ref>
===Arizona Cardinals=== On September 3, 2021, Ledbetter was signed to the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Former First-Round Pick Josh Doctson Lands On Practice Squad|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/former-first-round-pick-josh-doctson-lands-on-practice-squad|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=September 3, 2021|access-date=September 5, 2021|archive-date=September 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903213719/https://www.azcardinals.com/news/former-first-round-pick-josh-doctson-lands-on-practice-squad|url-status=dead}}</ref> On February 9, 2022, Ledbetter signed a reserve/future contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cardinals sign DL Jonathan Ledbetter to 'futures' deal |url=https://cardswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/10/cardinals-sign-dl-jonathan-ledbetter-to-futures-deal/|author=Root, Jess|website=Cardinalswire.com|date=February 10, 2022}}</ref>
Ledbetter made the Cardinals roster in 2022 as a backup defensive end. He played in 14 games with three starts, recording 22 tackles and one sack.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Ledbetter 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LedbJo01/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On January 7, 2023, he was placed on season–ending injured reserve after suffering a knee injury against the Atlanta Falcons.<ref>{{cite web | last=Root | first=Jess | title=Cardinals place S Chris Banjo, DL Jonathan Ledbetter on IR | website=Cards Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2023-01-06 | url=https://cardswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2023/01/06/cardinals-place-s-chris-banjo-dl-jonathan-ledbetter-on-ir/79353333007/ | access-date=2025-07-27}}</ref>
Ledbetter entered the 2023 season as a starting defensive end. In 12 starts, he recorded 46 tackles and 1.5 sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Ledbetter 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LedbJo01/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Personal life== Ledbetter's older brother, Joseph, played basketball at Pfeiffer University for two years before transferring Georgia and joining the Bulldogs football team as a tight end.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/28/georgia-bulldogs-add-brother-of-alabama-crimson-tide-recruit/|title=Georgia adds brother of Alabama recruit|first=Brent|last=Sobleski|website=NBCSports.com|date=July 28, 2014|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref>
Ledbetter was arrested on March 20, 2016 for possession fake ID and underage possession of alcohol. The charges were later dropped, but he was originally suspended for the Georgia's season opener.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2626466-jonathan-ledbetter-arrested-latest-details-on-georgia-dl|title=Jonathan Ledbetter Will Be Suspended for Georgia's Season Opener After Arrest|first=Joseph|last=Zucker|website=Bleacher Report|date=March 23, 2016|access-date=September 11, 2019}}</ref> That same offseason, Ledbetter was arrest for driving under the influence on July 10, 2016 after he was found asleep behind the wheel of his car by police. He was suspended indefinitely by head coach Kirby Smart, missing the first six games of the 2016 season before being reinstated by the program on October 11, 2016 after completing an education, counseling and medical assistance program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/georgia-dl-jonathan-ledbetter-reinstated-after-6-game-suspension-172045723.html|title=Georgia DL Jonathan Ledbetter reinstated after 6-game suspension|first=Sam|last=Cooper|website=Yahoo Sports|date=October 11, 2016|access-date=September 11, 2019}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://georgiadogs.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3108 Georgia Bulldogs bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ledbetter, Jonathan}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:American football defensive ends Category:Arizona Cardinals players Category:Georgia Bulldogs football players Category:Miami Dolphins players Category:Sportspeople from Tucker, Georgia Category:Players of American football from DeKalb County, Georgia Category:Tucker High School alumni Category:Under Armour All-American football players