Danny Shelton
Daniel Saileupumoni Shelton (born August 20, 1993)[3] is an American football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.
Not to be confused with Danny Sheldon.Personal information
August 20, 1993
Auburn, Washington, U.S.
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
345 lb (156 kg)
Washington (2011–2014)
2015 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12
278
278
6.0
1
2
Early years[edit]
Shelton attended Auburn Senior High School in Auburn, Washington, where he played football and competed in track and wrestling.[4] He was a four-star recruit and the 10th best defensive tackle by Rivals.com.[5] Shelton committed to play college football at the University of Washington in January 2011.[6]
He also participated in track & field as a thrower. He earned second-place finishes in both the shot put (54–3 or 16.58 m) and discus throw (155–7 or 47.50 m) at the 2010 West Central District 4A Championships.[7] As a senior, he won the state 4A shot put championship with a career-best throw of 18.31 meters (60–1).
College career[edit]
As a true freshman in 2011, he played in 13 games with one start and had 11 tackles. As a sophomore and junior in 2012 and 2013 he started every game at nose tackle for the Huskies. He recorded 45 tackles and 0.5 sacks in 2012 and 59 tackles and two sacks in 2013. Shelton entered 2014 as a starter for the third straight year.[8] He recorded four sacks against Eastern Washington, which was more than he had combined the previous three seasons and the most for a Huskies player since 1989, earning him first-team Associated Press All-American.[9] He finished the season with nine sacks. Shelton was also a member of the Huskies' track and field team.
Personal life[edit]
Shelton's mother is Samoan, and his father is Peruvian.[36][37] He often speaks with pride about his Samoan heritage and dons a lavalava, a traditional Polynesian cloth worn like a kilt or skirt.[38]
On May 1, 2011, Shelton and his brothers were involved in an altercation at an apartment complex in Auburn, Washington. One brother died of a gunshot wound, while another was wounded in the incident.[39]