Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eriq Michael George |
| Born | 2005, Nashville, Tennessee |
| Age | 20 (as of 2025) |
| Height/Weight | 6’3” (1.91 m) / ~285 lbs (129 kg) |
| Position | Defensive end / Defensive lineman |
| High School | Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, TN) |
| College(s) | Tennessee State University (2023–2024); Bowling Green State University (2025– ) |
| Class (2025) | Junior |
| Parents | Eddie George (father); Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George (mother) |
| Siblings | Half-brother: Jaire David George |
| Social | X: @er1q_0; Instagram: @er1q.0 |
| Honors | 2023 co-Freshman Defensive Player of the Year; 2024 All-Big South/OVC Second Team; OVC Student-Athlete of the Week |
| Notable | Faith-centered upbringing; active family involvement; no controversies reported |
From Nashville Beginnings to a Two-Sport Captain
Born in 2005 in Nashville, Eriq Michael George grew up in a home where discipline sounded like a metronome and faith framed the picture. With a Heisman Trophy winner for a father and a Grammy-nominated R&B artist for a mother, attention came early—but so did expectations. At Montgomery Bell Academy he thrived, captaining the varsity football team while sharpening leverage and hand-fighting as a wrestler. The mat work translated to the edge: balance, twitch, and a knack for winning the first second of any snap.
Standing 6’3” and around 285 pounds, he packed a stout frame and a low pad level into a role that demanded violence with intent. Coaches lauded the motor; teammates pointed to steadiness. By the time his senior year closed, he was more than a name—he was a leader.
Building a Resume at Tennessee State (2023–2024)
Eriq chose Tennessee State University in February 2023, stepping into an HBCU program led by his father. The fit produced immediate results. He flashed in nine games as a freshman and then surged as a sophomore, stacking backfield production and recognition.
| Season | Team | Games | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | Notables |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 (Fr) | TSU | 9 | 25 | 6.0 | 2.5 | Co-Freshman Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2024 (So) | TSU | 14 | 57 | 12.5 | 5.5 | All-Big South/OVC Second Team; OVC Student-Athlete of the Week |
His 2024 season hinted at a defender beginning to solve the riddle of timing—how to string moves, when to convert speed to power, and where to close off escape lanes. The numbers were the breadcrumbs; the tape showed hands like grappling hooks and closing speed that forced quarterbacks off their spots.
A New Chapter at Bowling Green (2025)
Change arrived in the spring of 2025. After Eddie George accepted the head coaching job at Bowling Green State University, Eriq entered the transfer portal on March 19 and committed to BGSU on April 23. Father and son reunited in the Mid-American Conference with a clear plan: fortify the Falcons’ front and push the standard higher.
- July 24, 2025: At MAC Media Day, their dual interviews blended humor and purpose, a window into an easy rapport forged by shared grind.
- August 2025: Eriq started the season opener against Lafayette (2 tackles) and logged snaps against Cincinnati.
- September 13, 2025: He registered sacks in a Week 3 win over Liberty, punctuating a 2–1 start for BGSU.
- Through September 16, 2025: 3 solo tackles and 2 sacks, a solid early-season splash as a junior.
The summer also carried a personal milestone: a family group baptism, underscoring what they often describe as the true north guiding every game plan.
The Family Playbook
- Eddie George (father): A Heisman Trophy winner (1995), four-time Pro Bowler, and NFL running back known for workhorse durability with the Oilers/Titans and Cowboys, Eddie transitioned from stardom to stewardship. He coached Tennessee State (2021–2024) before taking the helm at BGSU in 2025. Off the field, he has acted on stage and screen and built businesses with the same straight-ahead efficiency that defined his runs. To Eriq, he’s a coach, a mentor, and a dad who sets the standard and then meets him at dawn to raise it.
- Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George (mother): An SWV standout with hits that still command singalongs, Taj is a creator, author, and television veteran who competed on Survivor. She’s also the family’s amplifier—celebrating birthdays, posting highlights, and centering faith and resilience. Her message to Eriq often reads like a chorus: be grateful, work hard, keep perspective.
- Jaire David George (half-brother): Older, low-profile, and present at family milestones, he represents a tight-knit dynamic that navigates public life by agreeing on what should stay private.
- Grandparents and extended kin: Eddie’s mother, Donna, helped shape his unflinching discipline; those stories filtered down to Eriq like a well-worn playbook. Other relatives remain intentionally out of the spotlight, a boundary the family respects.
The picture that emerges is a family that treats football like craft, fame like noise, and faith like foundation.
Finances, Academics, and the NIL Reality
As a college athlete, Eriq’s personal finances are modest—estimated under $100,000—anchored by his scholarship and potential NIL agreements that remain undisclosed. The family’s overall financial stability (parents’ combined wealth in the multimillion range) removes off-field pressure, but the on-field expectations are his alone. Academic details are kept private; what’s public is the cadence: lift, learn, practice, repeat.
Media Presence and Moments
Eriq’s footprint online centers on football. On X (@er1q_0) and Instagram (@er1q.0), he posts training clips, game-days, and family milestones. YouTube carries a timeline in interviews: a 2024 HBCU media day, a 2025 MAC media day, and preseason sit-downs alongside teammates and his head coach father. The tone across platforms is consistent—measured, grateful, focused. Notably absent are controversies or sideline theatrics. The highlights do the talking.
Select Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Born in Nashville, TN, to Eddie George and Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George. |
| 2021 | Eddie named head coach at Tennessee State, framing a future father–son pairing. |
| 2021–2022 | Captains Montgomery Bell Academy football; excels in wrestling. |
| Feb 9, 2023 | Commits to Tennessee State University. |
| Fall 2023 | Freshman season at TSU: 25 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks in 9 games; co-Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. |
| 2024 | Sophomore season at TSU: 57 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks in 14 games; All-Big South/OVC Second Team. |
| Apr 4, 2024 | Turns 19; celebrated in family posts. |
| Mar 19, 2025 | Enters transfer portal after Eddie moves to BGSU. |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Commits to Bowling Green State University (FBS). |
| Jul 24, 2025 | Appears with Eddie at MAC Media Day. |
| Aug–Sep 2025 | Starts opener; logs sacks in Week 3 vs. Liberty; Falcons begin 2–1. |
FAQ
Who are Eriq Michael George’s parents?
He is the son of former NFL star and current BGSU head coach Eddie George and SWV singer Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George.
What position does he play?
He plays defensive end/defensive line, using size and leverage to disrupt backfields.
How tall and heavy is he?
He stands about 6’3” and weighs around 285 pounds.
Where did he play before Bowling Green?
He played at Tennessee State University in 2023 and 2024 before transferring to BGSU in 2025.
Why did he transfer to BGSU?
He moved to reunite with his father after Eddie George accepted the head coaching job at Bowling Green.
What are his notable college achievements so far?
He earned co-Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and All-Big South/OVC Second Team in 2024.
Does he have any reported controversies?
No, his public profile is clean, centered on football and family.
What is known about his finances and NIL?
As a college athlete, his personal net worth is modest with potential NIL opportunities not publicly disclosed.
What are his social media handles?
He is on X as @er1q_0 and on Instagram as @er1q.0.
What is his 2025 season start at BGSU?
Through mid-September 2025, he has contributed early, including sacks in a Week 3 win over Liberty.
