Vinnie Sunseri
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1993)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Vinnie Sunseri
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team = Florida Gators
| number = --
| position = Co-defensive coordinator & safeties coach
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|10|25}}
| birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| high_school = Northridge {{avoid wrap|(Tuscaloosa, Alabama)}}
| college = Alabama
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 210
| draftyear = 2014
| draftround = 5
| draftpick = 167
| pastteams =
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2015}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2016}})*
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2016}})
| pastcoaching =
- Alabama (2019)
Graduate assistant - New England Patriots ({{nfly|2020}})
Defensive coaching assistant - New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2021}}–{{NFL Year|2023}})
Running backs coach - Washington (2024)
Safeties coach - University of Florida (2025–present)
Co-Defensive coordinator/Safeties Coach
| status =
| highlights =
- 2× BCS national champion (2011, 2012)
|pfr=SunsVi00
}}
Vincent Salvatore Sunseri (born October 25, 1991) is an American football coach and former player who is the safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators. He played professionally as a safety in the National Football League (NFL).
Sunseri played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He served as a graduate assistant for Alabama in 2019.
Early life
Sunseri began his career at Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw, North Carolina.[http://www.unioncountyweekly.com/sports/2011/01/former-mav-sunseri-shines-in-all-american-football-game/ Former Mav Sunseri shines in All-American football game] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103235223/http://www.unioncountyweekly.com/sports/2011/01/former-mav-sunseri-shines-in-all-american-football-game/ |date=November 3, 2013 }}. Union County Weekly. Retrieved October 31, 2013. As a junior, he made 107 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, two sacks, and five interceptions, while also rushing for 305 yards and three touchdowns. He moved to Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. in January 2010; as a senior he recorded 144 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. He was selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game.{{cite news|work='BamaMag.com|title=Vinnie Sunseri|url=http://alabama.scout.com/a.z?s=14&p=8&c=1&nid=4629719|access-date=November 4, 2012}} Considered a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Sunseri was listed as the No. 18 outside linebacker in the nation in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/99119/vinnie-sunseri|title=Vinnie Sunseri - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}
College career
As a freshman in 2011, Sunseri was second on the team with 11 special teams tackles, all coming on kickoff coverage. He has 31 total tackles to rank eighth on the team. He also plays on the punt return team and has recorded several attention-grabbing blocks. Against Kent State, he set a career-high with six tackles, including three solo stops. Along with fellow freshman Trey DePriest, he registered several big hits on kickoff coverage. He also saw time at safety in the 48–7 win. He was selected as the coaches' Special Teams Player of the Week. Against Penn State, he did not have a tackle but was named a Special Teams Player of the Week with excellent coverage on the kickoff team and blocking on punt return. Against North Texas, he recorded another big tackle night with six stops split between special teams and safety. Sunseri had three solo tackles against the Mean Green. Against Arkansas, he assisted on two tackles in the win against the Razorbacks. Against Florida, he was named a Special Teams Player of the Week by the Alabama coaching staff. He recorded two solo tackles and forced a fumble. Against Ole Miss, Sunseri was once again named a Special Teams Player of the Week by the Alabama coaching staff. He totaled six tackles, including four solo stops, against the Rebels. Against Tennessee, he totaled two tackles, including a solo stop. He recovered his first career fumble in the win against the Volunteers. Against Georgia Southern, he was named one of the Alabama coaching staff's Special Teams Players of the Week. He recorded one solo tackle on kickoff coverage. Against Auburn, Sunseri tied a career-high with six tackles, including four solo stops. He recorded a quarterback hurry against the Tigers. He played significant time at safety in the second half against the Tigers.
NFL playing career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11 1/8
| weight = 210
| dash = 4.56
| bench = 21
| arm span = 30
| hand span = 10
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/vinnie-sunseri/32005355-4e54-5070-a7d7-0f7057e272ea |title=Vinnie Sunseri Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=June 28, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=119625&DraftYear=2014 |title=Vinnie Sunseri College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=June 28, 2024}}
}}
= New Orleans Saints =
Sunseri was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round, 167th overall, in the 2014 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/draft.htm |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On May 16, 2014, Sunseri signed a four-year contract with the Saints.{{Cite web|url=http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-sign-three-draft-picks-to-four-year-contracts/5b225c39-d316-47da-a512-0d9ba7c0ccb8|title=New Orleans Saints sign three draft picks to four-year contracts|website=www.neworleanssaints.com|access-date=May 14, 2016}} On November 12, 2014, Sunseri was placed on injured reserve with an arm injury.{{Cite web|url=http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/Sean-Payton-announces-a-number-of-roster-moves-after-Wednesdays-practice-/df7f4569-9cb7-4b18-8b24-2be832b132b1|title=Sean Payton announces a number of roster moves after Wednesday's practice|website=www.neworleanssaints.com|access-date=May 14, 2016}} On September 1, 2015, he was waived.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/09/new_orleans_saints_roster_move.html|title=New Orleans Saints cut ties with veterans, shelve injured players in roster trim|website=NOLA.com|access-date=May 14, 2016}}
On September 2, 2015, after clearing waivers, Sunseri was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/09/new_orleans_saints_place_vinni_1.html|title=New Orleans Saints place Vinnie Sunseri, Nick Toon, Ronald Powell on IR|website=NOLA.com|access-date=May 14, 2016}} On April 25, 2016, he was released.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2016/04/saints_2014_draft_class.html|title=Saints' 2014 draft class dwindles to 1 after Vinnie Sunseri release|website=NOLA.com|access-date=May 14, 2016}}
= New England Patriots =
On July 24, 2016, Sunseri was signed by the New England Patriots.{{cite web|title=Patriots sign second-year DB Vinnie Sunseri and rookie free agent OL Kyler Kerbyson|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/07/24/patriots-sign-second-year-db-vinnie-sunseri-and-rookie-free-agent-ol-kyler-kerbyson|website=Patriots.com|date=July 24, 2016}} On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Patriots as part of final roster cuts.{{cite web|title=Patriots reach the 53-man roster limit|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/09/03/patriots-reach-53-man-roster-limit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106155435/http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/09/03/patriots-reach-53-man-roster-limit|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2017|website=Patriots.com|date=September 3, 2016}} On September 6, 2016, Sunseri signed to the Patriots' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Patriots sign two to the practice squad|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/09/06/patriots-sign-two-practice-squad|website=Patriots.com|date=September 6, 2016}} He was released by the Patriots on October 24, 2016.{{cite web|title=Patriots release DL Anthony Johnson from the 53-man roster; release DB Vinnie Sunseri from the practice squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-dl-anthony-johnson-from-the-53-man-roster-release-db-vin-276706|date=October 24, 2016|website=Patriots.com}}
=San Francisco 49ers=
On November 1, 2016, Sunseri was signed to the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad.{{cite web|title=49ers Sign S Vinnie Sunseri to the Practice Squad|url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Sign-S-Vinnie-Sunseri-to-the-Practice-Squad/b510bc51-ae33-41b8-a685-443ab9dc834f?sf40622394=1|website=49ers.com|date=November 1, 2016}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 22, 2016.{{cite web|title=49ers Place S Eric Reid on Injured Reserve, Announce Other Roster Moves|url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Place-S-Eric-Reid-on-Injured-Reserve-Announce-Other-Roster-Moves/f7e0ee43-f63d-4f20-a954-7cefa75ab25b?sf43196317=1|website=49ers.com|date=November 22, 2016}}
On September 1, 2017, Sunseri was waived by the 49ers.{{cite web|title=49ers Announce Several Roster Moves|url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Announce-Several-Roster-Moves/f2f5edf1-1065-4caa-9ce5-c92f7c168b55?sf110975732=1|website=49ers.com|date=September 1, 2017|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906054222/http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Announce-Several-Roster-Moves/f2f5edf1-1065-4caa-9ce5-c92f7c168b55?sf110975732=1|archive-date=September 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}
Coaching career
=Alabama=
In 2019 Sunseri spent the season as a graduate assistant at Alabama,{{Cite web|title=Vinnie Sunseri returns to Alabama to join Crimson Tide staff|url=https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Article/Vinnie-Sunseri-returns-to-Alabama-Football-joins-Crimson-Tide-staff-127959817/|access-date=October 6, 2020|website=BamaOnLine|language=en-US}} his alma mater. He was coaching alongside his brother, Tino, who also was a graduate assistant and his father, Sal, who was the linebackers coach.
=New England=
In 2020 Vinnie was hired by the New England Patriots in a support staff role.{{Cite web|title=Ex-Saints draft pick Vinnie Sunseri now working on Patriots staff|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2020/01/21/saints-draft-picks-vinnie-sunseri-alabama-football-patriots-news/|date=January 21, 2020|website=Saints Wire|language=en|access-date=May 11, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Report: Patriots Hire Vinnie Sunseri to Coaching Staff|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/gm-report/patriots-hire-vinnie-sunseri|website=SI.com|date=January 21, 2020 |language=en|access-date=May 11, 2020}}
2021-23: New England Patriots (Running Backs)
=Washington Huskies=
On February 5, 2024, Vinnie was hired by the Washington Huskies as the safeties coach to join fellow former Patriots coach Steve Belichick on the defensive staff at Washington.{{Cite web |last=Vrooman |first=Max |date=February 5, 2024 |title=NFL Assistant Sunseri Hired by Huskies |url=https://www.uwdawgpound.com/2024/2/5/24061098/nfl-position-coach-vinnie-sunseri-hired-as-safeties-coach-uw-washington-huskies-football-fisch |access-date=February 5, 2024 |website=UW Dawg Pound |language=en}}
Florida Gators
On January 30, 2025, Vinnie was hired by the Florida Gators football as safeties coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator, joining Billy Napier’s staff as a former player at Alabama Crimson Tide football.{{Cite web |title=Napier Adds Vinnie Sunseri to Florida Coaching Staff |url=https://floridagators.com/news/2025/1/30/football-napier-adds-vinnie-sunseri-to-florida-coaching-staff.aspx |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Florida Gators |language=en}}
Personal life
Sunseri's father is Sal Sunseri, former linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders, and his older brother is Tino Sunseri, who played quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131107075252/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/vinnie_sunseri_749537.html Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
{{2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{Saints2014DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sunseri, Vinnie}}
Category:American football safeties
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football coaches
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:New England Patriots coaches
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players
Category:Players of American football from Tuscaloosa, Alabama