The Indianapolis Colts added to their defensive interior on Wednesday.
Just one week after acquiring All-Pro DeForest Buckner, the Colts signed defensive tackle Sheldon Day
Drafted in 2016 as a fourth-round pick by the Jaguars, Day has played 56 career games.
His tenure included the Jaguars (2016-2017), and the San Francisco 49ers (2017-2019), where he accumulated 53 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, and four passes defended.
Here are three things to know about the Colts new man in the middle.
1. Day Is Local Man
Day played at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis and helped his high school reach a No. 1 ranking in 2011.
During the time, he was ranked as the 143rd player on 2012 ESPNU’ Top 150 list.
Day was also ranked as the sixth-best defensive tackle in the country, and 81st nationally on 247Sports.
After graduating early in December, Day committed and started classes early at Notre Dame.
At Notre Dame, Day began to make an immediate impact.
His freshman season featured appearing in 13 games while moving to a starter’s role as a sophomore.
As a junior, Day was named a captain and started 11 games before suffering a knee injury.
Day’s senior season was his best as he started all 13 games and was a team captain for a second year.
Day entered the draft after registering 45 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
Notre Dame TD after Sheldon Day tips the pass and leads to the pick 6 #WAKEvsND pic.twitter.com/4r8dxTHYgu
— Jacob Mann (@Jacob___Mann) November 14, 2015
2. Day Comes Back To Indy For Mini Event
Ever since Day left, he returns to Indianapolis to host a free multiday event called “The Sheldon Daylight Camp.”
Leading up to the Super Bowl, Day told Roy Lang of the Indianapolis Star his former coaches Corey Clark and John Hart are his inspiration to host the event.
“Helping a kid win is the best feeling you could ever feel,” Day said. “Playing an integral role in their upbringing and helping them strive for different goals they may not have thought of before you — it’s special.”
So excited to celebrate and root on @msdwarren alumni @SDayCamps_92 and the @49ers on Sheldon Day Day in Warren! #JustaKid #WCFamily pic.twitter.com/toJHLecYe2
— Dr. Tim Hanson (@timehanson) January 30, 2020
3. Highest Usage Came Last Season
When Day was released by the Jaguars in 2017, Day cited that he was “the odd man out.”
The Jaguars had a stacked defensive line and he was stuck behind a talented defense led by All-Pro Calais Campbell.
The 49ers immediately made a call and Day found a smooth transition ever since.
His usage grew in 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s packages.
After being just used in 19% and 12% of overall snaps with the Jaguars, Day was used for 26% and 32% of the snaps in his last two seasons.
Day even fought his way to starting two games in 2019.
His starts included Week 16 and 17, as well as all three playoff games.
Truth be told, the stats are not glamorous on paper.
In 2019, Day recorded 15 tackles, 10 for solo, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and one sack.
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