Jacksonville Jaguars
Role Player
2025 NFL Draft: 3 things to know about Jalen McLeod
Source: https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2025/6/27/24457170/3-things-to-know-about-jalen-mcleod
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Get to know the Jaguars’ new additions from draft weekend with our ‘3 things to know’ series
With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, it’s time to reflect on how the Jacksonville Jaguars fared. Did rookie GM James Gladstone deliver a masterclass, or has he just set the Jags back five years? Truth is, we probably won’t know that for some time. But we can get to know the newest members of the team a little bit better. In the latest of our mini-series of deep dives, here are three things to know about Jalen McLeod, LB, Auburn:
Overlooked, but not for long
One thing you will hear every time you read about Jalen McLeod is how he is small for a football player. A menace off the edge at high school, McLeod starred for Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington D.C., racking up 60 tackles, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, four interceptions and 15 QB hurries as a senior. McLeod was a key part of a team that won back to back Interscholastic Athletic Association state 2-A championships before his time at high school came to an end. And yet despite the numbers and success, his recruiting experience was not what most would have expected; McLeod received just four offers to play football, and only two of them from FBS programs. Not one Power Five school paid him any interest.
Opting to head to App State, McLeod spent three years in Boone. By his sophomore year, he was terrorising offensive lines who couldn’t cope with his burst off the line of scrimmage. Despite not being as big as his peers, McLeod posted 41 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and eight QB hurries in 2022 - including an impressive performance against Texas A&M that saw him have two sacks. That finally got him the attention his game deserved, and another SEC team decided they could use his skillset at the highest level of college football.
McLeod continued to flourish at Auburn, revelling in the ‘Jack’ role in DJ Durkin’s scheme. Essentially an outside linebacker with significant focus on getting into the backfield, McLeod managed 57 tackles and eight sacks last season, cementing himself as one of the most dangerous defensive weapons in the conference. Clocking in at 6’2” and 241 lbs at the NFL Combine, McLeod has shown he is able to overcome any perceived physical shortcomings with speed, tenacity and playmaking ability
Tigers & Jaguars
When he was selected 194th overall in April, Jalen McLeod became the sixth Auburn Tiger in history to be drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. That pipeline from the Plains to Duval County ranks as the fifth-highest of any school in the Jags’ 30-year history, and the third-highest if you discount in-state programs Florida and Florida State which are obviously geographically easier to scout.
Before McLeod, the last Auburn Tiger to head to Jacksonville on draft weekend was Tank Bigsby in 2023. Prior to that, Daniel Thomas (2020), Dontavious Russell (2019), Quentin Groves (2008) and Jalen’s namesake Kevin McLeod (1998) make up the rest of the cohort. As a second round pick, Groves was the highest player from Auburn selected by the Jags, and sadly passed away in 2016 after suffering a heart attack.
Another Tiger school, LSU, have sent eight players to the Jaguars since the franchise was born. Coincidence? I’m sure the big cat similarities are nebulous, although I wouldn’t put anything past Trent Baalke and his decision making process. McLeod represents the first Tiger to become a Jaguar in the James Gladstone era - let’s hope he’s more successful than most of those who have come before him.
Secret weapon?
When you look back at Jalen McLeod’s impressive three years with the Mountaineers, it’s no wonder Auburn came calling. However, you may be surprised to know that he only actually started three games at App State. As alluded to, he has constantly battled perception regarding his size and had to do twice as much as most to earn game time as a result. But in his final year, his usage was more by design, to maximise the impact he had when he stepped on the field…
It’s unsure how the Jaguars intend to use McLeod on defense, if at all; there are no guarantees for 6th round draft picks as we know. That being said, the Jags would be wise to note how he was utilised at college, basically reserved for obvious pass rushing situations where they could let him off the leash. At his size McLeod is unlikely to be able to make a living with his hand in the dirt, so sending him after the quarterback from outside linebacker in Anthony Campanile’s subpackage would make a lot of sense.
The trick, then, is for McLeod to prove his value for a roster spot. Being on the field for a handful of plays isn’t much of an offering, and he will be expected to contribute on various special teams units if he’s going to make the final 53. It’s a tough ask based on the Jaguars’ depth, but not impossible - and McLeod has proven time and again he knows how to beat the odds.
Source: https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2025/6/27/24457170/3-things-to-know-about-jalen-mcleod
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