Azeez Al-Shaair

PRO: The Titans signed Azeez Al-Shaair (uh-ZEEZ al-SHY-er) as an unrestricted free agent early in the 2023 offseason to bring veteran leadership and experience to the inside linebacker position. The 6-foot-2-inch, 228-pound defender possesses grit and toughness with an uncanny knack for finding the ball carrier. The Florida Atlantic product entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. He spent his first four seasons with the club, appearing in 56 games with 31 starts while amassing 191 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, 11 stops for loss, nine quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
•   In 2021, Al-Shaair enjoyed a breakout campaign with the 49ers by setting career-highs with 102 tackles, two sacks, nine stops for loss and five passes defensed. He also started all three postseason games and registered 13 tackles.

TITANS TIDBITS:
•   Al-Shaair grew up in a family of nine, with his mother, Naadhirah, supporting him and his seven siblings. In 2012, struggling to make ends meet, the family moved into their grandmother's home in Tampa, Fla. One night, Al-Shaair awoke to the smell of smoke encompassing the house. He was able to wake up and lead the rest of his family to safety, as they watched the house burn down. The family moved from place to place before settling in a longstay motel. Al-Shaair chose to sleep on the floor, as the family had to fit into one room. He trekked two hours by bus each day to attend school and football practice, often only eating once a day, making sure any leftover food went to his mom and siblings. According to him his work ethic on and off the field grew in that adversity.
•   While at Florida Atlantic, Al-Shaair decided to move his two younger brothers, Abdul-Lateef and Abdur-Rahmaan, into his Boca Raton apartment. Constantly worrying about whether they were eating or getting into trouble, Al-Shaair began to serve as the father figure of the household.
•   Al-Shaair was the recipient of the N4A Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award, which honors any collegiate student-athlete who has overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
•   The Tampa, Fla., native was originally signed by the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie free agent on May 3, 2019.
•   Signed by the Titans as an unrestricted free agent on March 20, 2023.

COLLEGE:
•   During a four-year career at Florida Atlantic, appeared in 43 games with 42 starts and registered 397 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, eight passes defensed, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception returned for a touchdown.
•   As a senior (2018), started all six games in which he appeared and tallied 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass defensed.
•   As a junior (2017), earned first-team Conference USA honors after starting 13 games and recording a league-high 147 tackles, to go along with 11 tackles for loss, four passes defensed, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
•   As a sophomore (2016), was named Conference USA honorable mention after starting 12 games and notching 113 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception (returned for a touchdown) and a pass defensed.
•   As a true freshman (2015), earned Freshman All-America honors from USA Today and was named to Conference USA's All-Freshman team after playing in 12 games with 11 starts and registering 94 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two passes defensed, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Was named Florida Atlantic's Co-Newcomer of the Year.
•   Majored in public safety administration at Florida Atlantic.

PERSONAL:
•   Attended Hillsborough (Tampa, Fla.) High School where he was a two-time all-state, all-county and all-conference selection after finishing his career with 236 tackles, 15 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions. Also blocked eight field goal attempts on special teams.
•   As a senior, played in 11 games and registered 126 tackles, 6.5 sacks, six blocked field goals, a blocked punt, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
•   As a junior, saw action in 10 games and recorded 110 tackles.
•   Son of Naadhirah Lennon.
•   Follow Al-Shaair on Twitter at @A_train2_.
•   Follow Al-Shaair on Instagram at @a_train2_.
•   Born Azeez Al-Shaair on Aug. 4, 1997 in Tampa, Fla.