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Geno Stone
Geno Stone
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Geno Stone (born April 19, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Key Information

Early life

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Stone grew up in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and attended New Castle Junior/Senior High School, where he played wide receiver, quarterback, and defensive back on the football team and was also a member of the basketball and track & field teams. He was named first-team All-State as a senior after recording 97 tackles with 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, and 10 interceptions.[1] A 2-star recruit, Stone initially committed to play college football at Kent State over offers from Ball State, Buffalo, Delaware, and Miami (OH), among others, but he flipped his commitment to Iowa after receiving a late offer from the school.[2][3]

College career

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Stone played in all 13 of Iowa's games as a true freshman, appearing mostly on special teams and finishing the season with 17 tackles and one interception.[4] He became a starter during his sophomore year, recording 39 tackles with a forced fumble, three passes broken up and four interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference.[5][6] As a junior, Stone recorded 70 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, four passes broken up, three forces fumbles, one interception, and one fumble recovery and was named second-team All-Big Ten.[7][8] Following the end of the season Stone declared to enter the 2020 NFL draft, forgoing his final year of NCAA eligibility.[9]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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NFL analyst Matt Miller of Bleacher Report ranked Stone as the 12th best safety prospect in the draft.[10] NFL draft analysts projected him to be possibly drafted as early as the third round to as late as the fifth round.

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+38 in
(1.79 m)
207 lb
(94 kg)
29+14 in
(0.74 m)
9+18 in
(0.23 m)
4.62 s 1.59 s 2.64 s 33.5 in
(0.85 m)
9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
12 reps
All values from NFL Combine[11][12]

Baltimore Ravens (first stint)

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External videos
video icon Ravens draft Geno Smith No. 219

The Baltimore Ravens selected Stone in the seventh round (219th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft. He was the 19th safety drafted.[13]

"Geno might be the best seventh-round pick that we've ever had – playmaker, attitude, special teams, [He had] just an excellent season [in 2023]. He has been cut, been brought back. I love his cerebral nature, [and] I love his attitude on the field. He fancies himself an overachiever; I love that about him."[14]

On May 7, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens signed Stone to a four–year, $3.40 million contract that includes an initial signing bonus of $107,155.[15]

Throughout training camp, Stone competed for a role as a backup safety against Anthony Levine and Jordan Richards. Head coach John Harbaugh named him a backup free safety to start the season, behind starting safeties DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark.[16]

On October 8, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens waived Stone[17] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[18] On November 8, 2020, Stone made his professional regular season debut during a 24–10 victory at the Indianapolis Colts.[19][20] On November 17, 2020, he was promoted to the active roster.[21] On December 2, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens placed Stone on the reserve/COVID-19 list [22] and activated on December 21.[23] On December 28, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens waived Stone again.[24]

Houston Texans

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On December 29, 2020, the Houston Texans claimed Stone off waivers.[25] He only appeared in two games for the Baltimore Ravens during his rookie season in 2020 and was only limited to special teams.

Baltimore Ravens (second stint)

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2021

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On March 23, 2021, the Baltimore Ravens signed Stone to a one–year, $780,000 contract after the Texans did not extend him a qualifying offer.[26][27] During training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup safety against Anthony Levine, Tony Jefferson, Brandon Stephens, and Ar'Darius Washington. Head coach John Harbaugh named Stone a backup safety to begin the season and he was listed fifth on the depth chart behind DeShon Elliott, Chuck Clark, Anthony Levine, and Brandon Stephens.[28]

On September 19, 2021, Stone made his first career tackle during a 36–35 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. Due to numerous injuries to the Ravens' defense, Stone saw increased playing time as the season progressed. On December 19, 2021, Stone earned his first career start and made a season-high seven combined tackles (three solo) during a 30–31 loss to the Green Bay Packers.[29] On January 9, 2022, he recorded two solo tackles, a pass deflection, and made his first career interception off a pass thrown by Ben Roethlisberger to wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud as the Ravens lost 13–16 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Steelers.[30][31] He finished the 2021 NFL season with 21 combined tackles (15 solo), one pass deflection, and one interception in 15 games and one start.[32]

2022

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On March 9, 2022, the Baltimore Ravens placed an exclusive-rights free agent tender on Stone for a one–year, $895,000 contract.[33] Defensive coordinator Don Martindale held a competition to name the starting safeties during training camp following the departures of DeShon Elliott and Anthony Levine and the transitions of Brandon Stephens and Ar'Darius Washington from safety to cornerback. He competed against Tony Jefferson, Chuck Clark, Marcus Williams, and 2022 rookie first-round pick Kyle Hamilton. Head coach John Harbaugh named Stone the third strong safety in the depth chart to begin the season, behind starter Chuck Clark and primary backup Tony Jefferson. Marcus Williams was named the starting free safety with Kyle Hamilton as his backup.[34]

In Week 5, starting free safety Marcus Williams dislocated his wrist during a 19–17 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach John Harbaugh named Stone the starting free safety heading into Week 6.[35] On October 28, 2022, Stone collected a season-high eight solo tackles as the Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns 23–20.[36] In Week 14, Stone was demoted back to a backup safety after Marcus Williams returned from injury to reclaim his starting role. He finished the 2022 NFL season with 38 total tackles (34 solo), one pass defended, and one forced fumble, which he recovered.[37]

2023

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On March 17, 2023, the Baltimore Ravens signed Stone to a one–year, $1.76 million contract that included an initial signing bonus of $750,000.[15] He entered training camp slated as a backup safety and competed for a roster spot against Daryl Worley and Jaquan Amos. Head coach John Harbaugh named Stone a primary backup safety to begin the season, behind starters Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams.

In the Baltimore Ravens' home-opener against the Houston Texans, starting free safety Marcus Williams suffered a torn pectoral. Head coach John Harbaugh subsequently appointed Stone as his replacement at starting free safety. On September 17, 2023, he made his first start of the season and made a season-high nine combined tackles (seven solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Joe Burrow to wide receiver Tee Higgins during a 27–24 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals. On October 15, 2023, he made three combined tackles (one solo), one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Ryan Tannehill during a 24–16 victory at the Tennessee Titans. The following week, he made three solo tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Jared Goff as the Ravens routed the Detroit Lions 38–6. In Week 8, he recorded four combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Joshua Dobbs during a 31–24 win at the Arizona Cardinals. On November 5, 2023, Stone recorded one solo tackle, a season-high two pass deflections, and had his fourth consecutive game with an interception on a pass thrown by Geno Smith to wide receiver Tyler Lockett as the Ravens routed the Seattle Seahawks 37–3. In Week 17, he produced eight combined tackles (six solo), one pass deflection, and set a career-high with his seventh interception of the season on a pass by Tua Tagovailoa as they defeated the Miami Dolphins 56–19. He finished the 2023 NFL season with a total of 68 combined tackles (44 solo), nine pass deflections, and a career-high seven interceptions in 16 games and 11 starts. He had the second most interceptions in 2023, after Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland.[38]

Cincinnati Bengals

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2024

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On March 11, 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Stone to a two–year, $14 million contract that includes $6 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $3 million.[39] He entered training camp slated as the de facto starting strong safety. Head coach Zac Taylor named Stone and Vonn Bell the starting safeties to start the 2024 NFL season.

In Week 11, he racked up a season-high nine combined tackles (seven solo) and recovered a fumble in the Bengals' 27–34 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers. On December 9, 2024, Stone made five combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Cooper Rush to CeeDee Lamb during a 27–20 win at the Dallas Cowboys. On December 15, 2024, Stone made five combined tackles (one solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Will Levis to tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo and returned it 39–yards for his first career touchdown in a 37–27 win at the Tennessee Titans.[40] On December 22, 2024, Stone made one solo tackle, a season-high two pass deflections, and had his third consecutive game with an interception after picking off a pass by Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the Bengals routed the Cleveland Browns 24–6. He started 17 games during the 2024 NFL season and finished with 81 combined tackles (47 solo), six pass deflections, four interceptions, and one touchdown.[41] He received an overall grade of 53.1 from Pro Football Focus.

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Led the league (for safeties)
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
2020 BAL 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 BAL 15 1 21 15 6 0.0 1 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 BAL 17 7 38 34 4 0.0 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 0
2023 BAL 17 11 68 44 24 0.0 0 9 7 101 14.4 36 0 0 0 0
2024 CIN 17 17 81 47 34 0.0 0 6 4 88 29 49 1 0 1 0
2024 CIN 17 17 104 65 39 2.0 4 4 2 57 28.5 32 1 0 0 0
Career 85 53 312 205 107 2.0 5 21 14 246 17.6 49 2 1 2 0

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
2022 BAL 1 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 BAL 2 0 2 0 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 3 0 3 1 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Geno Stone (born April 19, 1999) is an safety for the of the (NFL). Standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 210 pounds, Stone played at the , where he appeared in 38 games over three seasons (2017–2019), recording 127 tackles, six interceptions, and one sack. Selected by the in the seventh round (219th overall) of the , he initially contributed primarily on special teams and as a reserve during his first three seasons with the team. Stone's breakout came in 2023 with , when he started 11 games and led the AFC with seven interceptions while tallying 68 tackles. In March 2024, he signed a two-year contract with the Bengals as an unrestricted , where he started all 17 games in his debut season, leading the team with four interceptions (one returned for a ) and adding 81 tackles. Through the 2024 season, Stone had amassed 12 career interceptions over 68 games, establishing himself as a reliable and instinctive known for his ball-hawking skills. As of the 2025 season, he continues to anchor the Bengals' secondary amid ongoing defensive challenges.

Early life and high school

Upbringing

Geno Stone was born on April 19, 1999, in , a small industrial city in Lawrence County known for its working-class roots and proximity to . He was raised primarily by his mother, Erin Stone, who had him at age 18 and served as a after his biological father was absent from his life. Erin's determination and unwavering support played a pivotal role in Stone's development, often driving him to practices and advocating for his opportunities despite financial and logistical challenges in their modest household. The family unit also included Stone's grandmother, Debbie Stone, who lived with them and contributed to a stable home environment, as well as his uncle Gary, Erin's brother, who became a by taking Stone to youth sports events and instilling a in his potential to reach the NFL; Gary passed away before Stone's professional breakthrough. No siblings are documented in public accounts of his upbringing. Stone's early exposure to sports began at age three with T-ball, transitioning to football and by second grade, where he quickly emerged as a natural athlete in the competitive youth leagues of . This environment, fueled by the region's football passion and his uncle's encouragement, sparked his personal motivation to pursue the sport seriously, driven by a desire to prove skeptics wrong and honor his family's sacrifices through athletic success. These foundational experiences laid the groundwork for his organized high school involvement.

High school career

Geno Stone attended New Castle High School in , where he displayed versatility across multiple positions on the football team, including , , and . During his senior year in 2016, Stone excelled on defense, recording 97 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a school-record 10 interceptions, while also contributing two defensive touchdowns and two punt return scores. These performances helped lead New Castle to the WPIAL Class 4A championship game. For his standout senior season, Stone earned first-team All-State honors as a . Rated as a two-star recruit by , Stone initially committed to Kent State in December 2016 before flipping his commitment to the on January 31, 2017, after receiving an offer from the Hawkeyes.

College career

Iowa Hawkeyes tenure

Geno Stone enrolled at the University of Iowa in 2017 as a true freshman defensive back, having committed to the program following a standout high school career in Pennsylvania. In his debut season, Stone appeared in all 13 games for the Hawkeyes, primarily contributing on special teams and as a reserve in the secondary, where he recorded 17 tackles and 1 interception. As a in 2018, Stone transitioned into a starting role, playing in all 13 games with 8 starts and emerging as a key defensive with 39 tackles, 1 forced , 3 pass breakups, and a team-leading 4 interceptions—one of which he returned 24 yards for a against Penn State. Stone's junior year in 2019 marked his most productive campaign, as he started all 13 games at and posted career highs of 70 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 pass breakups, 3 forced s, 1 , and 1 recovery, solidifying his role as a versatile and impactful contributor to Iowa's defense. Throughout his with the Hawkeyes from 2017 to 2019, Stone demonstrated steady progression from a rotational player to an everyday starter, enhancing the team's secondary with his ball skills and tackling ability across 39 games.

Achievements and draft preparation

During his sophomore season in 2018, Stone earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from the media after recording 17 tackles and two interceptions as a rotational for the Hawkeyes. In 2019, as a junior starter, he received second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the , highlighted by his 70 tackles, one sack, and four interceptions that contributed to Iowa's top-10 national ranking in scoring defense. Stone also demonstrated leadership by being named one of four team captains for the 2019 season and the County Credit Union . Academically, he was recognized as an Academic All-Big Ten honoree during his freshman year in 2017. Following his junior campaign, Stone decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the , announcing the choice on January 6, 2020, after consultations with family, coaches, and advisors. In preparation, he participated in the in late February 2020, where his athletic testing revealed average speed and explosiveness, and later competed in drills at Iowa's pro day on March 23, 2020, meeting with multiple teams. Scouting reports praised Stone's instincts and ball skills, noting his ability to read routes, time pass breakups effectively, and maximize his compact frame with football IQ and competitiveness in zone coverage.

Professional career

Pre-draft process and NFL draft

Following his junior season at , where he recorded five interceptions over his final two years, Geno Stone declared for the , forgoing his senior year of eligibility. He did not participate in any all-star games such as the Senior Bowl, as he entered the draft process as an underclassman. Stone measured 5 feet 10⅜ inches tall and weighed 207 pounds at the in February 2020. He ran the in 4.62 seconds and recorded a 33.5-inch , results that highlighted his adequate but not elite athleticism for a safety prospect. These measurables aligned with evaluations noting his functional speed in short areas but limitations in deep coverage. NFL scouts praised Stone's instincts and ball skills, particularly in zone coverage schemes, where he demonstrated a strong feel for tendencies and route combinations, contributing to his interception total. His high football IQ and physical tackling in run support were seen as assets for a strong role, allowing him to make plays despite his undersized frame. However, reports highlighted weaknesses in man coverage, where he struggled against quicker receivers, and his average long speed, which could limit his range against vertical threats. Overall, Stone was projected as a late-round pick, often in the fifth through seventh rounds, valued as a developmental depth option rather than an immediate starter. The selected Stone in the seventh round of the , 219th overall, adding to their depth with a player known for his playmaking potential in the secondary. He signed a four-year worth $3.4 million on May 8, 2020, including a of approximately $75,000.

2020 rookie season

Stone was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 219th overall pick. Following the draft, he signed a four-year rookie contract with the team on May 8, 2020. His rookie season began with instability, as the Ravens waived Stone on October 8, 2020, to make room on the 53-man roster, only to re-sign him to their practice squad two days later on October 10. Stone remained on the practice squad until elevations for game-day usage, marking his NFL debut on November 8, 2020, against the Indianapolis Colts, where he contributed 19 special teams snaps in a 24-10 victory. The following week, on November 15 against the New England Patriots, he appeared in his second game, logging 19 special teams snaps and 2 defensive snaps in a 17-23 loss, but recording no statistics. On November 17, the Ravens promoted him to the active roster. Stone's season was further disrupted by the , as the placed him on the reserve/ list on December 2, 2020, amid a team outbreak that sidelined multiple players and forced postponed games. He was activated on December 21 after clearing protocols, but saw no further action that year. The waived him again on December 28, 2020. The Houston Texans claimed Stone off waivers the next day, December 29, 2020, and placed him on the exempt/commissioner's permission list initially before activating him to the roster. However, he did not appear in any games for the Texans during the regular season finale on January 3, 2021, against the , remaining inactive. Across his rookie year, Stone appeared in just two games—all with the —primarily on special teams with 38 total snaps and no defensive statistics or tackles recorded, highlighting the challenges of adapting to the amid roster flux and pandemic-related disruptions.

Baltimore Ravens (2021–2023)

Stone signed a one-year worth $780,000 with the on March 23, 2021. In his first full with the team, he appeared in 15 games with one start, recording 21 tackles (15 solo), one , and one pass deflection while primarily serving as a reserve and special teams contributor. The Ravens tendered Stone as an exclusive rights on March 9, 2022, signing him to a one-year deal valued at $895,000. He played in all 17 games that year, starting seven, and tallied 38 tackles (34 solo), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflection, showing increased involvement in the defensive rotation. On March 16, 2023, Stone agreed to a one-year with the Ravens worth $1.76 million, including a $750,000 . He started 11 of 17 games, achieving career highs with 68 tackles (44 solo), seven interceptions (leading all safeties in the ), and nine pass deflections. Stone's interceptions tied for second-most league-wide, highlighting his emergence as a key ballhawk in the secondary. His performance was integral to ' defense, which ranked first in the in points allowed per game (16.5), sacks (60), and takeaways (38)—the first team in league history to lead in all three categories. Over his three seasons in Baltimore, Stone evolved from a special teams player and depth piece to a reliable starter, capitalizing on opportunities amid injuries to safeties like Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton. In the playoffs following the 2023 season, he contributed three tackles across two games as the advanced to the AFC Championship. As an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 campaign, Stone departed , signing with divisional rival in March 2024.

Cincinnati Bengals (2024–present)

On March 11, 2024, Geno Stone signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the , marking his transition from the after a breakout 2023 season that established his value as a starting-caliber safety. Head coach named Stone the starting free safety alongside veteran , positioning him as a key component in the Bengals' revamped secondary aimed at bolstering pass defense. Stone's prior interceptions with the provided the foundation for his free agency appeal, allowing Cincinnati to secure him at a competitive rate. In his 2024 debut season with the Bengals, Stone started all 17 games, recording 81 tackles (47 solo), six pass deflections, and a team-leading four interceptions, including one returned 40 yards for a against the in Week 15. His role emphasized deep coverage and run support within Anarumo's zone-heavy scheme, where Stone adapted by increasing his snaps in the box compared to his Baltimore usage, contributing to the unit's improved turnover margin late in the year. These performances solidified his status as a starter, though the secondary faced challenges from injuries and opposing passing attacks. Entering 2025, Stone restructured his contract in May, accepting a pay cut to a $3 million base salary plus a $1.5 million for a $6.4 million cap hit, demonstrating his commitment to the team amid cap constraints. Through 11 games as of November 17, he has amassed 74 tackles (44 solo) and one —a red-zone pick off in Week 6 via a tipped pass—while on pace for a career-high in total tackles. Under new defensive coordinator , Stone has adapted to an evolved scheme incorporating more man-match elements, enhancing his versatility in the Bengals' secondary alongside and focusing on playmaking opportunities to elevate the defense's overall effectiveness.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Geno Stone's regular season defensive statistics across his NFL career are detailed in the following table, covering games played (G), games started (GS), combined tackles (combining solo and assisted), sacks (Sk), interceptions (Int), passes defended (PD), forced fumbles (FF), and fumble recoveries (FR).
YearTeamGGSSoloAstCombSkIntPDFFFR
2020BAL200000.00000
2021BAL151156210.01100
2022BAL177344380.00111
2023BAL17114424680.07900
2024CIN17174734810.04601
2025CIN10103922611.01400
Career-7846179902691.0132112
In his 2020 rookie season, Stone appeared in only two games and recorded no defensive statistics. His 2023 season represented a breakout performance with seven interceptions. As of November 17, 2025.

Postseason

Geno Stone has made three postseason appearances in his career, all with the during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In the 2022 AFC Wild Card Round, the lost 17–24 to the on January 15, 2023, where Stone contributed one solo tackle. The following year, in the 2023 postseason, he appeared in the Ravens' 34–10 Wild Card victory over the Texans on January 20, 2024, recording one assisted tackle, and their 10–17 Divisional Round defeat to the on January 28, 2024, with another assisted tackle. Across these games, Stone's teams finished with a 1–2 record.
YearTeamGames PlayedTotal TacklesSolo TacklesAssisted TacklesInterceptionsPass DeflectionsForced Fumbles
2022BAL1110000
2023BAL2202000
Career-3312000

References

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