# Deon Cain

Deon Cain (born August 9, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Clemson. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He was also named MVP of the 2023 USFL championship game.

## Early life

Cain attended Tampa Bay Technical High School in Tampa, Florida. He played quarterback for the high school football team. He was rated as a five-star recruit and committed to Clemson University to play college football under head coach Dabo Swinney.

## College career

Cain moved to wide receiver at Clemson. As a true freshman in 2015, he played in 13 games, recording 34 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns. He did not play in the 2015 Orange Bowl or 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship due to suspension for failing a drug test. Cain returned from the suspension in 2016, and played in all 15 games, including Clemson's 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship victory over Alabama. For the season, he had 38 receptions for 724 yards and nine touchdowns. After his junior season, Cain decided to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2018 NFL draft.

## Professional career

Pre-draft measurables :
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
| 6 ft 1+7⁄8 in (1.88 m) | 202 lb (92 kg) | 33 in (0.84 m) | 8+3⁄4 in (0.22 m) | 4.43 s | 1.57 s | 2.63 s | 4.37 s | 6.71 s | 33.5 in (0.85 m) | 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) | 11 reps |
| All values from NFL Combine ||||||||||||

### Indianapolis Colts

Cain was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round (185th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft. In the first preseason game, Cain suffered a torn ACL after a promising training camp, prematurely ending his rookie season. Cain was placed on injured reserve on August 12, 2018. He made his NFL debut in the Colts' 2019 season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the 30–24 loss, he had two receptions for 35 yards. He was waived on November 9.

### Pittsburgh Steelers

On November 16, 2019, Cain was signed off the Colts practice squad by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 6 games with the Steelers, Cain caught 5 passes for 72 yards.
He was waived on September 5, 2020, and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He was elevated to the active roster on October 17 and January 2, 2021, for the team's weeks 6 and 17 games, each against the Cleveland Browns, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 18, 2021.

### Baltimore Ravens

On January 22, 2021, Cain signed a reserve/futures contract with the Baltimore Ravens. On August 31, 2021, he was placed on injured reserve, and released three days later.

### Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)

On October 18, 2021, Cain was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on January 18, 2022.
On August 30, 2022, Cain was waived by the Eagles and signed to the practice squad the next day. He was released on October 31, 2022.
On November 11, 2022, the Tennessee Titans hosted Cain for a workout.

### Birmingham Stallions (first stint)

On March 8, 2023, Cain signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL). He caught 16 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. He was named 2023 USFL championship game MVP after he caught three touchdown passes when his team won the championship game at the end of the season. His contract was terminated after the season on July 10, 2023, to sign with an NFL team.

### Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)

On July 25, 2023, Cain signed with the Eagles. He was released on August 27, 2023, as part of final roster cuts before the start of the 2023 season.

### Birmingham Stallions (second stint)

On November 30, 2023, Cain re-signed with the Stallions. His contract was terminated on August 12, 2024, to sign with an NFL team.

### Buffalo Bills (first stint)

On August 13, 2024, Cain signed with the Buffalo Bills following an injury to Chase Claypool. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 27.

### Carolina Panthers

Cain was added to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers on August 30, 2024. He was released on October 15.

### Buffalo Bills (second stint)

Cain was re-signed to the Bills practice squad on October 31, 2024. He was waived on December 3.

### Birmingham Stallions (third stint)

On February 7th, 2025 Cain re-signed with the Stallions for 2025 UFL season.

## NFL career statistics

| Year | Team | Games | Games | Receiving | Receiving | Receiving | Receiving | Receiving | Receiving | Fumbles | Fumbles |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2018 | IND | 0 | 0 | did not play due to injury | did not play due to injury | did not play due to injury | did not play due to injury | did not play due to injury | did not play due to injury | did not play due to injury | did not play due to injury |
| 2019 | IND | 7 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 52 | 13.0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | PIT | 6 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 72 | 14.4 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | PIT | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | Career | 14 | 1 | 20 | 9 | 124 | 13.8 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 |