In 62 days, the New Orleans Saints will officially start their 2026 regular season. They’ll do so by facing the Detroit Lions on the road on Sunday, Sept. 13. Wearing No. 62 for New Orleans as they head into training camp is Jay’Viar Suggs, a rookie newcomer at defensive tackle.
An undrafted rookie, Suggs is attempting to win a role along the interior defensive line. It’s a spot where the Saints have added several players this offseason. As Suggs starts his competition, here’s a look at him as our Saints Player of the Day.
- Name (age): Jay’Viar Suggs (25)
- Hometown: Clarkston, Mich.
- Position: Defensive tackle
- Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 305 pounds
- College: Wisconsin Badgers
- Relative Athletic Score: 8.89
- Drafted: Undrafted in 2026 (Saints)
- NFL experience: Rookie
- 2026 salary cap hit: $891,666
Out of Clarkston High School in Michigan, Suggs would begin his collegiate career with the Grand Valley State Lakers in Division II. He’d redshirt in 2019, saw the entire season in 2020 canceled because of Covid, and in 2021 played very little. Suggs showed signs of his disruptive abilities in 2022 with 3 sacks and 7 stops for loss along with a forced fumble and 5 tipped passes on only 21 tackles. In 2023, he’d earn 2nd Team all-conference accolades with 5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss.
At the conclusion of 2023, Suggs would transfer to the LSU Tigers. He’d appear in 12 of 13 contests at LSU in 2024, recording 2.5 sacks and 3 stops for negative yardage. After that season he’d transfer again, this time landing with the Wisconsin Badgers. In 2025 with Wisconsin, Suggs contributed a sack and 2 tackles for loss but did have 15 quarterback pressures.
Jay’Viar Suggs joins a New Orleans defensive line that also added second round choice Christen Miller along with fellow undrafted rookies Zxavian Harris and Keeshawn Silver at defensive tackle. The Saints are looking to upgrade the physicality of their interior front. As a result, Suggs will have his opportunities to earn a role despite not being drafted.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Jay’Viar Suggs is the Saints Player of Day 62
