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The Buffalo Bills felt that they drafted a centerpiece of their defense when they selected Tremaine Edmunds in the first round back in 2018. Thanks to the latest information from ESPN’s Field Yates, it is known that Edmunds has accomplished a first for an NFL player.
According to Yates, Edmunds became the first player in NFL history to record 100+ tackles in two seasons by the age of 21. He also notes that Edmunds did not miss a tackle through Week 16, and for good measure referred to Edmunds as a “complete stud.” Edmunds finished the 2019 season with 115 total tackles, and was named a first-alternate for the Pro Bowl. In addition to his impressive tackle numbers, Edmunds added 1.5 sacks, a safety and an interception while leading the Bills defense this season.
The 100-tackle feat has only been accomplished ten times by 21 year olds since the AFL-NFL merger. Hall of Famer Ray Lewis was the first in his 1996 rookie year and he achieved the mark in every season he played at least 13 games, a total of 13 times. Donte Whitner, a name familiar to Bills fans, was the next 21-year-old to record 100+ tackles, notching 106 in his rookie year of 2006. More recently, Luke Kuechley, Landon Collins, Keanu Neal, Jessie Bates, Roquan Smith, and Devin Bush have reached 100 tackles at the age of 21.
Edmunds was the youngest player taken in modern NFL Draft history when the Bills selected him with the 16th overall pick in 2018. He’s the only 20 year old to record 100 tackles since the merger.