Saahdiq Charles
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Saahdiq Charles
| image = Saahdiq Charles (51398861187) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Charles with the Washington Football Team in 2021
| current_team = Dallas Cowboys
| number = 77
| position = Guard
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|7|26}}
| birth_place = Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 322
| high_school = Madison-Ridgeland Academy {{avoid wrap|(Madison, Mississippi)}}
| college = LSU (2017–2019)
| draftyear = 2020
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 108
| pastteams =
- Washington Football Team / Commanders ({{NFL Year|2020|2023}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 35
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 18
| pfr = CharSa00
}}
Saahdiq Charles (born July 26, 1999) is an American professional football guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Washington Football Team in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Charles was a member of the LSU team that won the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Early life
Charles grew up in New Orleans until his family was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, living in Houston, Valdosta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, before settling in Jackson, Mississippi.{{Cite web |last=Edholm |first=Eric |date=February 26, 2020 |title=LSU's Saahdiq Charles tries to put 'selfish and stupid mistake' behind him at NFL scouting combine |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ls-us-saahdiq-charles-tries-to-put-selfish-and-stupid-mistake-behind-him-at-nfl-combine-180220463.html |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Yahoo Sports}} Charles attended Madison-Ridgeland Academy, where he played offensive and defensive line on the football team.{{Cite web |last=Cleveland |first=Tyler |date=January 8, 2020 |title=Guarding the Best: Former MRA Patriot to play for college football championship |url=https://www.onlinemadison.com/stories/guarding-the-best-former-mra-patriot-to-play-for-college-football-championship,31626? |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Madison County Journal}}{{Cite web |last=Boudwin |first=Julie |date=May 19, 2016 |title=Katrina forced 2017 recruit Saahdiq Charles to Mississippi, but LSU could bring him home |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/high_schools/article_2155eabc-d60a-561f-8fa3-18ba8cdb00c9.html |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=The Times-Picayune}} A 4-star recruit according to rivals.com, Charles committed to play college football at LSU over offers from Florida, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others.{{Cite web |last=Sammon |first=Will |date=May 24, 2016 |title=Saahdiq Charles commits to LSU over Mississippi State |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/recruitingreport/2016/05/24/saahdiq-charles-commits-lsu-over-mississippi-state/84851334/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=The Clarion-Ledger}}{{Cite web |title=Saahdiq Charles, 2017 Offensive Guard |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2017/saahdiq-charles-17511 |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=Rivals.com}}
College career
File:Saahdiq Charles UGA VS LSU.jpg Charles played in all 13 of the Tigers' games with nine starts as a true freshman in 2017 and was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team. He started ten games at left tackle as a sophomore.{{Cite web |last=Kubena |first=Brooks |date=August 9, 2019 |title=LSU's Saahdiq Charles, latecomer to left tackle, is prepared for a breakout season |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_58937356-ba0e-11e9-a650-dfbb9e6ed69e.html |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=The Advocate}}
During his junior season, Charles was suspended for the entirety of the Tigers' non-conference schedule due to a violation of team rules, but started the final nine games of the season at left tackle as the Tigers won the 2020 National Championship.{{Cite web |last=West |first=Glen |date=March 27, 2020 |title=Road to the Pros: LSU Tackle Saahdiq Charles' Off the Field Concerns Could Supersede On Field Talent |url=https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/road-to-the-pros-saahdiq-charles |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=SI.com}}{{Cite web |last=Shipp |first=Sonny |date=April 14, 2020 |title=CBSSports.com analyst likes Saahdiq Charles more than scouts do |url=https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/CBSSportscom-analyst-likes-LSU-Saahdiq-Charles-more-than-scouts-do-146052633/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=247Sports.com}} Following the end of the season, Charles declared for the 2020 NFL draft, forgoing his senior season.{{Cite web |last=Lindsley |first=Amanda |date=January 15, 2020 |title=LSU's Saahdiq Charles declares for NFL Draft |url=https://www.wafb.com/2020/01/15/lsus-saahdiq-charles-declares-nfl-draft/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=WFAB.com}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 1/8
| weight = 321
| dash = 5.05
| ten split = 1.87
| twenty split = 3.01
| shuttle =
| cone drill =
| vertical =
| broad ft =
| broad in =
| bench =
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 10
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/saahdiq-charles/32004348-4159-6597-92df-2c5eba7d2e50 |title=Saahdiq Charles Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 22, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1021980&DraftYear=2020 |title=Saahdiq Charles, LSU, OT, 2020 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=December 22, 2021}}
}}
=Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders=
Charles was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round, 108th overall, of the 2020 NFL draft.{{cite news |last1=Stackpole |first1=Kyle |title=Redskins Draft Tackle Saahdiq Charles With Fourth-Round Pick |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-draft-tackle-saahdiq-charles-fourth-round-2020-nfl-draft |access-date=April 25, 2020 |work=Redskins.com |date=April 25, 2020}} He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 22, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Fortier |first1=Sam |last2=Jhabvala |first2=Nicki |title=No. 2 overall pick Chase Young signs with Washington |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/22/washingtons-nfl-team-signs-majority-its-draft-picks-not-chase-young/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=July 23, 2020 |date=July 23, 2020}} After missing the first five games of the season due to injury, Charles made his NFL debut in the Week 6 game against the New York Giants. Despite taking reps in training camp at offensive tackle, the team started him at left guard replacing Wes Martin, who had struggled in first five games as the starter.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/football-team/washington-giving-saahdiq-charles-practice-reps-guard-because-need|work=NBCSports.com|title=Washington is giving Charles practice reps at guard due to 'need'|date=October 16, 2020|first=Peter|last=Hailey|access-date=October 19, 2020}} Charles left the game in the first quarter due to a dislocated knee cap,{{cite web|url=https://www.radio.com/thefandc/sports/washington-football-team/reports-saahdiq-charles-suffers-dislocated-kneecap|work=Radio.com|title=Reports: Saahdiq Charles could return after bye week, after suffering dislocated kneecap|first=Chris
|last=Lingebach|date=October 19, 2020|access-date=October 19, 2020}} and was placed on injured reserve on October 24, 2020, ending his rookie season.{{cite web|title=Washington Places Saahdiq Charles, Antonio Gandy-Golden On IR; Pulls 2 WRs From Practice Squad|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-places-saahdiq-charles-antonio-gandy-golden-injured-reserve|website=Washington Commanders|date=October 24, 2020|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517203731/https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-places-saahdiq-charles-antonio-gandy-golden-injured-reserve|url-status=dead}}
Charles had his second career start and his first at tackle in a Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Manning |first=Bryan |date=November 2, 2021 |title=Snap counts from Washington's Week 8 loss |url=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/lists/snap-counts-from-the-washington-football-teams-week-8-loss/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=USAToday.com}} He was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on November 9, 2021,{{cite web |last1=Manning |first1=Bryan |title=Washington offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles placed on COVID list |url=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/2021/11/10/washington-football-team-offensive-tackle-saahdiq-charles-placed-on-covid-list/ |website=Washington Football Wire |date=November 10, 2021 |publisher=USA Today |access-date=November 10, 2021}} but was placed back on the active roster seven days later.{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2021 |title=Washington places Chase Young on IR amid multiple roster moves |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-places-chase-young-on-ir-amid-multiple-roster-moves |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=Washington Commanders |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203035921/https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-places-chase-young-on-ir-amid-multiple-roster-moves |url-status=dead }} In the Week 15 and Week 16 games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, Charles started at right guard in place of Brandon Scherff who was on the team's COVID-19 reserve list. He appeared in ten games during the 2021 season.{{Cite web |title=Saahdiq Charles 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CharSa00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=Dec 21, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
In Week 4 of the 2022 season, Charles took over at right guard after starter Trai Turner was benched. Following the game, Charles started at right guard for three straight games before Turner returning to the starting lineup in Week 8.{{Cite web |last=Hailey |first=Peter |date=October 6, 2022 |title=Charles, Turner and Washington's changing of the (right) guard |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/commanders/saahdiq-charles-trai-turner-and-washingtons-changing-right-guard |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=NBCSports.com}} On January 6, 2023, he was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|work=Commanders.com|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-place-saahdiq-charles-benjamin-st-juste-on-ir|title=Commanders place Saahdiq Charles, Benjamin St-Juste on IR |date=January 6, 2023|accessdate=January 7, 2023|first=Zach|last=Selby}} He played 13 games during the 2022 season.{{Cite web |title=Saahdiq Charles 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CharSa00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=Dec 21, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
In the 2023 offseason, Charles beat out Chris Paul and won the starting left guard position.{{cite news|url=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2023/09/06/washington-commanders-mark-schlereth-saahdiq-charles/|work=USAToday.com|title=Former Washington offensive lineman is a big fan of Saahdiq Charles|first=Bryan|last=Manning|date=September 6, 2023|accessdate=September 17, 2023}} He suffered a calf injury in Week 7 and was placed on injured reserve on October 28, 2023.{{cite web|title=Commanders elevate LB Jabril Cox from practice squad as part of several other roster moves|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-elevate-lb-jabril-cox-from-practice-squad-as-part-of-several-other-ro|author=Selby, Zach|website=Commanders.com|date=October 28, 2023}} He was activated on December 15. He played 11 games during the 2023 season, all as starter.{{Cite web |title=Saahdiq Charles 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CharSa00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=Dec 21, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
=Tennessee Titans=
On March 15, 2024, Charles signed a one-year $1.5 million deal with the Tennessee Titans.{{cite web|title=Titans Agree to Terms With OL Saahdiq Charles|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-agree-to-terms-with-ol-saahdiq-charles|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=March 15, 2024}}{{cite web |last=Moraitis |first=Mike |title=Contract details for Titans OL Saahdiq Charles revealed |website=TitansWire |date=Mar 21, 2024 |url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/21/titans-saahdiq-charles-contract-details/ |access-date=Dec 21, 2024}} He was awarded the starting right guard position at the beginning of training camp, but Charles unexpectedly retired from football just a few days later for unknown reasons.{{cite web |last=Brener |first=Jeremy |title=Titans OL Announces Surprise Retirement |website=Sports Illustrated |date=Aug 6, 2024 |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/titans/news/tennessee-titans-saahdiq-charles-announces-surprise-retirement |access-date=Dec 21, 2024}}{{cite web |last=Suss |first=Nick |title=Tennessee Titans starting OL Saahdiq Charles put on NFL retirement list, walking away from football |website=The Tennessean |date=Aug 6, 2024 |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2024/08/06/saahdiq-charles-retirement-tennessee-titans-nfl/74693573007/ |access-date=Dec 21, 2024}}{{cite web |last=Sikes |first=Ryan |title=Titans OL coach Bill Callahan reacts to Saahdiq Charles' retirement |website=TitansWire |date=Aug 13, 2024 |url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2024/08/13/titans-ol-coach-bill-callahan-reacts-to-saahdiq-charles-retirement-training-camp/ |access-date=Dec 21, 2024}} The Titans placed him on the reserve/retired list on August 6.{{Cite web|title=Titans OL Saahdiq Charles Retires|url=https://www.profootballrumors.com/2024/08/titans-ol-saahdiq-charles-retires|access-date=August 6, 2024|website=ProFootballRumors.com|language=en}} On March 12, 2025, it was announced Charles was coming out of retirement.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/ol-saahdiq-charles-is-coming-out-of-retirement|work=NBCSports.com|title=OL Saahdiq Charles is coming out of retirement|first=Josh|last=Alper|date=March 12, 2025|accessdate=March 12, 2025}} Upon his reinstatement in the NFL, the Titans chose to release him; making him a free agent in the 2025 offseason.{{cite news|url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2025/03/12/report-former-tennessee-titans-saahdiq-charles-unretiring-free-agent/82310148007/|work=USAToday.com|title=Report: Former Tennessee Titans OL Saahdiq Charles unretiring, will be a free agent|first=Mark|last=Mihalko|date=March 12, 2025|accessdate=March 12, 2025}}
=Dallas Cowboys=
On April 9, 2025, Charles signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.{{Cite web|date=April 9, 2025|last=Yarrish|first=Tommy|title=Saahdiq Charles, Cowboys agree to terms on a one-year deal|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/saahdiq-charles-cowboys-agree-to-terms-on-one-year-deal|website=DallasCowboys.com|access-date=April 9, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Twitter|saahdiq}}
- [https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/players-roster/saahdiq-charles/ Dallas Cowboys bio]
- [https://lsusports.net/sports/fb/roster/player/saahdiq-charles/ LSU Tigers bio]
{{Dallas Cowboys roster navbox}}
{{Redskins2020DraftPicks}}
{{2019 LSU Tigers football navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Charles, Saahdiq}}
Category:American football offensive tackles
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:LSU Tigers football players
Category:Players of American football from Jackson, Mississippi
Category:Players of American football from New Orleans
Category:Washington Commanders players
Category:Washington Football Team players
Category:Tennessee Titans players