Badara Traore
refer to caption
Traore at LSU in 2019
No. 76 – Carolina Panthers
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1997-03-12) March 12, 1997 (age 27)
Hyde Park, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:327 lb (148 kg)
Career information
High school:Matignon (MA)
College:LSU
Undrafted:2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Games played:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Badara Traore (born March 12, 1997) is an American football offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU.[1][2]

Early life

Traore was born to Bakary Traore and Rouguiatou Kaba, both African immigrants, and grew up in Hyde Park, Massachusetts. He attended Matignon High School, where he played on the football and basketball teams and commuted two hours each way.[3]

College career

Traore played two seasons at ASA College in Brooklyn, New York. In 2018, he transferred to Louisiana State University to continue his collegiate football career, turning down offers from 26 schools, including Oklahoma, Auburn, and Texas.[4][5] In his first season at LSU, he played in all 13 games, starting 2 of them, and was referred to as "one of the most improved players on the team" by head coach Ed Orgeron.[6] Going into his senior year, Traore served as the backup right tackle to Austin Deculus and took snaps on special teams. During his final season at LSU, he played in 13 games and earned 3 starts against Georgia Southern, Ole Miss, and Arkansas (one at left tackle and two at right tackle).

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 6+1⁄2 in
(1.99 m) 		340 lb
(154 kg) 		37+1⁄2 in
(0.95 m) 		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)
All values from Pro Day[7]

Chicago Bears

Traore was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft on April 25, 2020.[8] He was waived on September 5, 2020, and was signed to the practice squad the following day.[9][10] On October 10, 2020, Traore was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for COVID-19.[11] He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bears on January 11, 2021.[12] On August 24, 2021, he was waived by the Bears.[13]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On August 25, 2021, Traore was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[14] He was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16] Traore made his NFL debut on January 9, 2022, against the Indianapolis Colts.[17] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2022.[18]

On August 29, 2022, Traore was waived by the Jaguars.[19]

Arizona Cardinals

On September 1, 2022, Traore was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.[20] On October 29, 2022, he was elevated to the active roster.[21] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 11, 2023.[22] On August 29, 2023, Traore was released by the Cardinals as part of final roster cuts before the start of the 2023 season.[23]

Carolina Panthers

On December 18, 2023, Traore signed a letter of intent to join the DC Defenders of the XFL for the upcoming 2024 season.[24] The next day, Traore was signed to the Carolina Panthers' practice squad.[25] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.[26]

Personal life

Traore graduated from Louisiana State University in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies.[27] He has a younger brother, Boubacar, who played defensive end at Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, MA; and began playing for Notre Dame in 2023.[28]

References

  1. ^ "Badara Traore College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  2. ^ Kubena, Brooks (22 June 2019). "The story of Badara Traore: his family's 'American Dream,' long train rides and long journeys". The Advocate. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  3. ^ Conte, J. D. "Suffolk security officer reflects on son's national title at LSU, possible NFL future". The Suffolk Journal. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  4. ^ "Badara Traore, 2018 Offensive tackle - Rivals.com". n.rivals.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  5. ^ "Badara Traore's path to the NFL filled with obstacles". Geaux247. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  6. ^ "In Focus: Badara Traore". LSU Tigers. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  7. ^ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Badara Traore College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  8. ^ Shipp, Sonny. "Badara Traore signs undrafted free agent deal with Chicago Bears". 247sports. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  9. ^ "Roster Moves: Chicago Bears announce 53-man roster". www.chicagobears.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  10. ^ "Roster Moves: Bears sign 16 to practice squad". www.chicagobears.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  11. ^ Kane, Colleen (10 October 2020). "Chicago Bears place practice squad offensive lineman Badara Traore on COVID-19/reserve list". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  12. ^ Finley, Patrick (2021-01-11). "Bears sign 10 to reserve/futures deals". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  13. ^ "Roster Moves: Bears reach mandatory 80-man limit". ChicagoBears.com. August 24, 2021.
  14. ^ "Official: Jaguars Make Roster Moves". Jaguars.com. August 25, 2021. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  15. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Reduce Roster to 53". Jaguars.com. August 31, 2021. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  16. ^ Oehser, John (September 1, 2021). "Official: Jaguars claim Johnson, sign 13 players to practice squad". Jaguars.com.
  17. ^ "Badara Traore 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  18. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars sign 8 players to Reserve/Future contracts". Jaguars.com. January 10, 2022.
  19. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars release four, waive six ahead of the 53-man roster deadline on August 30, 2022". Jaguars.com. August 29, 2022.
  20. ^ Urban, Darren (September 1, 2022). "Cardinals Re-Sign Aaron Brewer; Place Antonio Hamilton On NFI". AZCardianls.com.
  21. ^ "Arizona Cardinals elevate DT Woods, OL Traore from practice squad". Arizona Sports. 2022-10-29. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
  22. ^ Urban, Darren (January 11, 2023). "Bernhard Seikovits Among 14 'Futures' Cardinals Sign For 2023". AZCardinals.com.
  23. ^ "Cardinals Make Moves To Get To 53-Man Roster". AZCardinals.com. August 29, 2023.
  24. ^ "XFL Transactions". www.xfl.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  25. ^ Rizzutti, Anthony. "Panthers sign offensive lineman to practice squad on Tuesday". Panthers Wire. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  26. ^ Gantt, Darin (January 8, 2024). "Panthers extend three, sign 11 practice squaders to future deals". Panthers.com.
  27. ^ "Eleven Tigers Head to NFL with College Degrees". LSU Tigers. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  28. ^ Black, A. J. "Boston College Football Lands Trio Of Local '23 Recruits". Sports Illustrated Boston College Eagles News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2021-05-02.

External links

2019 LSU Tigers football—consensus national champions
Carolina Panthers roster
Categories