A. J. Finley

Finley grew up in Mobile, Alabama, and attended St. Paul's Episcopal School. As a senior, he put up six interceptions.^[1] On June 29, 2018, Finley committed to play college football at Ole Miss over other schools such as Duke, Iowa, Purdue, Tennessee, and Wake Forest.^[2][3]

Finley played four years at Ole Miss and recorded 244 tackles, 8.5 being for a loss, eight interceptions, 13 pass deflections, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown.^[4] In his first season he posted 16 tackles, two for a loss, and two fumble recoveries.^[5] However, in Finley's second season he had a breakout year putting up 62 tackles, two going for a loss, three interceptions, seven pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.^[6] Finley's third season was his best collegiate year where he had 90 tackles, one going for a loss, three interceptions, including returning one for a touchdown, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble. For his performance on the year he was named an AP All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) second-team.^[7][8] Finley also had an outstanding fourth year in 2022 where he posted 76 tackles, 3.5 being for a loss, two interceptions, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble,^[9] After the conclusion of the 2022 season Finley declared for the NFL draft.^[10]