Jaylen Key
Jaylen Key (born February 29, 2000) is an American professional football safety. He played college football for the UAB Blazers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was selected by the New York Jets with the final pick of the 2024 NFL draft, making him that year's Mr. Irrelevant.
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Safety |
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 29, 2000 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Gadsden County (Havana, Florida) |
| College | |
| NFL draft | 2024: 7th round, 257th overall pick |
| Career history | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Jaylen Key (born February 29, 2000) is an American professional football safety. He played college football for the UAB Blazers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was selected by the New York Jets with the final pick of the 2024 NFL draft, making him that year's Mr. Irrelevant.
Early life
[edit]Key grew up in Quincy, Florida and attended Amos P. Godby High School. Coming out of high school, Key was rated as a three-star recruit where he decided to commit to play college football for the UAB Blazers.[1][2]
College career
[edit]UAB
[edit]In Key's first three seasons in 2019, 2020, and 2021, Key notched 18 tackles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery.[3] In week thirteen of the 2022 season, Key made 12 tackles versus LSU.[4] During the 2022 season, Key tallied 60 tackles with four and a half being for a loss, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.[5] For his performance on the 2022 season, Key was named honorable mention all Conference-USA.[6] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Key decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal.[7][8]
Alabama
[edit]Key decided to transfer to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide.[9][10] Coming into the 2023 season, Key won a starting safety spot on the Crimson Tide defense.[11] During week one of the 2023 season, Key snagged an interception in a win over Middle Tennessee.[12] Key finished the 2023 season with 60 tackles with one and a half being for a loss, a pass deflection, and an interception.[13] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Key decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.[14]
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0+3⁄4 in (1.85 m) |
208 lb (94 kg) |
32+1⁄4 in (0.82 m) |
9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) |
6 ft 6+1⁄2 in (1.99 m) |
4.60 s | 1.59 s | 2.63 s | 4.09 s | 7.20 s | 36.5 in (0.93 m) |
10 ft 10 in (3.30 m) | |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[15][16] | ||||||||||||
New York Jets
[edit]Key was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round, with the 257th overall pick, of the 2024 NFL draft. He was the final pick of the draft, making him 2024's Mr. Irrelevant.[17] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[18][19] He was released on October 30.[20]
Cincinnati Bengals
[edit]On December 17, 2024, Key was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.[21] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 7, 2025.[22]
On August 26, 2025, Key was waived by the Bengals as part of final roster cuts.[23]
References
[edit]- ^ Rodak, Mike (April 27, 2023). "Alabama hosts UAB transfer safety Jaylen Key on visit; other SEC schools interested". AL.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Burger, Kyle (December 20, 2017). "UAB inks 10 on early signing day". WVTM. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ "Jaylen Key College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Nick (May 12, 2023). "Alabama football gains UAB defensive back Jaylen Key from transfer portal". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Smith III, Kennington (May 12, 2023). "Former UAB DB Jaylen Key transfers to Alabama: What he brings to Tide". The Athletic. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Stahl, Matt (October 10, 2023). "After transfer from UAB, Jaylen Key is fitting right in with Alabama football". AL.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Dudley, Evan (April 26, 2023). "UAB safety Jaylen Key enters transfer portal; among others". AL.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Irvine, Steve (April 25, 2023). "UAB safety Jaylen Key enters transfer portal". 1819News. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Salerno, Cameron (May 12, 2023). "Alabama lands DB Jaylen Key: Tide beef up secondary with addition of top-ranked safety in transfer portal". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Alvarez, Nick (May 12, 2023). "Alabama football brings in 2nd transfer defensive back with UAB's Jaylen Key". AL.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Potter, Charlie (October 10, 2023). "Jaylen Key reflects on his decision to transfer from UAB to Alabama". On3.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Smith III, Kennington (September 4, 2023). "With Jaylen Key, Malachi Moore in flux, Alabama's secondary depth will be tested vs. Texas". The Athletic. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Stephen (January 8, 2024). "Alabama safety Jaylen Key announces 2024 NFL Draft decision". Touchdown Alabama. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Van Zummeren, Joey (February 29, 2024). "Time at Alabama Helped Safety Jaylen Key Develop Strong Work Ethic". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Jaylen Key Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Jaylen Key College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ Shook, Nick (April 27, 2024). "Mr. Irrelevant: Jets select Alabama DB Jaylen Key at No. 257 overall to end 2024 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Greenberg, Ethan (August 27, 2024). "Final Cuts | Jets Move 37 to Get Their Roster to 53 Players". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "Jets Sign 17 Players to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com. August 28, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Pullano, John (October 30, 2024). "Jets Sign Kickers Riley Patterson & Spencer Shrader to Practice Squad, Place K Greg Zuerlein on IR". New York Jets. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ "Bengals Sign K Cade York to Active Roster, Add LB Joe Giles-Harris and S Jaylen Key to Practice Squad". Bengals.com. December 17, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ^ "Bengals Sign 11 Players to Reserve/Future Contracts". Bengals.com. January 7, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ^ "Bengals Reduce Final Roster to 53 Players for 2025 Season". bengals.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.