Jalen Jelks

American football player (born 1996)

American football player

Jalen JelksPersonal information

Born:|  (1996-08-03) August 3, 1996 (age 26)
Phoenix, Arizona
Height:| 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:| 256 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:| Desert Vista (Phoenix)
College:| Oregon
Position:| Defensive end
NFL Draft:| 2019 / Round: 7 / Pick: 241
Career history

* Dallas Cowboys (2019)
* Carolina Panthers (2020)*
* Cleveland Browns (2020)*
* Washington Football Team / Commanders (2020–2021)*

* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

* Second-team All-Pac-12 (2017)
* First-team All-Pac-12 (2018)

Career NFL statistics

Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Jalen Jelks (born August 3, 1996) is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Oregon.

## Early years[edit]

Jelks attended Desert Vista High School. He played football in only 3 years. As a senior, he was a two-way starter at defensive line and left tackle. He registered 72 tackles (12 for loss), 10 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and one blocked field goal, while receiving All-state honors.

He finished his high school career with 113 tackles (17 for loss), 15 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries. A 3-star recruit, Jelks committed to play football at Oregon over offers from Arizona State, California, Nebraska, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin, among others.[1]

## College career[edit]

Jelks accepted a football scholarship from the University of Oregon. After redshirting for a year, he appeared in 11 games as a backup defensive end, collecting 9 tackles (6 in the final three games) and 3 sacks as a freshman. As a sophomore in a reserve role, he contributed with 31 tackles (4 for loss), 2 sacks and 2 pass breakups in 8 games.

As a junior, he started all 13 games, recording 59 tackles 6.5 sacks (led the team), 15 tackles for loss (led the team) and 7 pass breakups. He had 9 tackles in the 2017 Las Vegas Bowl. He was put on the watchlist for the Chuck Bednarik Award during the season.[2] He was named to the All-Pac-12 second-team, Pro Football Focus first-team All-Pac-12 and the Phil Steele second-team All-Pac-12 Conference.[3]

Despite speculation that he could declare for the 2018 NFL Draft, Jelks announced that he would return to Oregon.[4] As a senior in 12 starts, he registered 57 tackles (7.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks.

## Professional career[edit]

Pre-draft measurables  Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press

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6 ft 5+3⁄8 in
(1.97 m)  | 256 lb
(116 kg)  | 34+5⁄8 in
(0.88 m)  | 9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m) | 4.92 s | 4.59 s | 7.22 s | 32.5 in
(0.83 m) | 9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m) | 19 reps
All values from NFL Combine

### Dallas Cowboys[edit]

Jelks was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (241st overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.[5] He was placed on the injured reserve list on August 30.[6] On August 16, 2020, he was released to make room for the signing of free agent defensive end Everson Griffen.[7]

### Carolina Panthers[edit]

On August 17, 2020, Jelks was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.[8] He was waived on September 5.[9]

### Cleveland Browns[edit]

Jelks was signed to the Cleveland Browns' practice squad on September 22, 2020.[10] He was released on October 26.[11]

### Washington Football Team[edit]

On November 16, 2020, Jelks signed to the practice squad of the Washington Football Team.[12] He signed a reserve/futures contract on January 11, 2021.[13] Jelks was waived by Washington with a injury designation on July 27, 2021, and reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers.[14] He wasn't re-signed after the season.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Jalen Jelks, Desert Vista , Defensive Tackle". 247Sports. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
2. ^ Skopil, Erik (October 6, 2017). "Jalen Jelks added to Bednarik Watch List". 247Sports.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
3. ^ Wade, Kevin (April 23, 2018). "Oregon's Jalen Jelks earning 1st round projection for 2019 Draft". 247Sports.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
4. ^ Greif, Andrew (December 13, 2017). "In boost to Oregon defense, Jalen Jelks will return for senior season". The Oregonian. Advance Publications. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
5. ^ Halprin, Dave (April 27, 2019). "The Dallas Cowboys select DE Jalen Jelks with the 241st pick in the 2019 NFL Draft". SB Nation. Vox Media. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
6. ^ Helman, David (August 31, 2019). "Several Young Draft Picks Among Cowboys' Cuts". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
7. ^ Drummond, K.D. (August 16, 2020). "Report: Cowboys release second-year DE to make roster room for Everson Griffen". Cowboys Wire. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
8. ^ Simmons, Myles (August 17, 2020). "Panthers acquire defensive end Jalen Jelks". Panthers.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
9. ^ Simmons, Myles (September 5, 2020). "Panthers reduce roster to 53 players". Panthers.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
10. ^ "Browns sign K Matthew McCrane, DE Jalen Jelks to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 22, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
11. ^ "Browns sign T Alex Taylor to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. October 26, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
12. ^ "Washington Places QB Kyle Allen On Injured Reserve". WashingtonFootball.com. November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
13. ^ "Washington Signs 13 Players To Reserve/Future Contracts". WashingtonFootball.com. January 11, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
14. ^ "Washington Makes Multiple Roster Moves". WashingtonFootball.com. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.

## External links[edit]

* Jalen Jelks on Twitter
* Oregon Ducks bio

* v
* t
* e

Dallas Cowboys 2019 NFL Draft selections

* Trysten Hill
* Connor McGovern
* Tony Pollard
* Mike Jackson Sr.
* Joe Jackson
* Donovan Wilson
* Mike Weber
* Jalen Jelks

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