Chandon Sullivan has made a name for himself with the Green Bay Packers. During the 2021 season, Sullivan played all 17 games, a feat no other cornerback on the team was able to achieve. Between injuries and COVID, the Green Bay secondary faced challenge after challenge as various players missed time. Sullivan, however, was always there. He stayed healthy, he avoided injury, and he had the best season of his brief NFL career. It has been quite the journey to success for Chandon Sullivan. Always overlooked, always doubted, he has, time and again, proven the doubters wrong.
Chandon Sullivan Had No Major Scholarship Offers
Chandon Sullivan was not heavily recruited out of high school. No major college program made him a scholarship offer. The only offers he had were from Georgia State, Georgia Southern, and Harvard. Sullivan had hoped to attend a university that garnered more attention from NFL scouts. Since he is from Winder, Georgia, Sullivan chose to attend Georgia State.
Even though Georgia State is not a heavily scouted school by the NFL, Sullivan would not let that stop him from being noticed. Sullivan used his academic talent to ensure that he was nationally recognized as one of the top scholar-athletes in the country. Coaches at Georgia State credited Sullivan for inspiring the other players in his position room when it came to academics, too. During his time at Georgia State, every defensive back had a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Chandon Sullivan graduated from Georgia State with a 3.84 GPA and a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. He was one of 13 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy. This award is given to the top scholar-athlete in the country. At the same time, Sullivan became the first Georgia State football player invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, a game meant to showcase the talent of top senior players in the country.
Chandon Sullivan’s NFL Journey
Despite the success he saw in the classroom and on the gridiron in college, Chandon Sullivan was not drafted by any NFL team. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. Sullivan started that season on the Eagles’ practice squad, where he remained until October 26, 2018. As a young rookie, Sullivan appeared in five games for the defending champion Eagles, starting one of them. Unfortunately, he was placed back on the practice squad after Christmas of that year. The Eagles cut Sullivan on May 2, 2019.
Chandon Sullivan was not out of work for long. On May 6, four days later, the Green Bay Packers signed Sullivan. He made the active roster and appeared in all 16 games for the Packers, a year in which the team went 13-3. Sullivan had his first career interception that year, his only one of the season, while deflecting six passes. The second-year defensive back was targeted 31 times, but only allowed 11 receptions, good for a 35.5% completion rate. Opposing quarterbacks had a quarterback rating of 34.3 when targeting Sullivan that year.
The next season, 2020, saw Chandon Sullivan play in all 16 games again. This time, with injuries to the secondary, he also started 10 games. Sullivan had another interception in 2020 and continued to produce on the field. He saw his percentage of defensive snaps go up from 34% in 2019 to 71% in 2020. Sullivan also set a career-high with 41 tackles.
This past season, the first 17-game season in NFL history, Sullivan again played in every single game. Again, he made 10 starts as injuries in the secondary piled up all season. Sully, though, was up to the task and produced the best season of his brief NFL career. This year, Sullivan had three interceptions, his career high.
As the Green Bay Packers head into the playoffs, they do so as a team that is getting healthy. Several players, including Jaire Alexander, a partner of Mayfield Sports Marketing, will be coming back for the Packers’ playoff run. Even with the secondary at full strength, Sullivan has ensured that he will be a key member of this Packers’ defense. He has been there all season long. His hard work and determination helped him get to the NFL and led him to the Green Bay Packers. He will also be there when they (hopefully) hoist up the Lombardi Trophy in February.
