Jaylen Key
| No. 33 – New York Jets | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Safety |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | February 29, 2000 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Amos P. Godby (Tallahassee, Florida) |
| College: | |
| NFL draft: | 2024 / Round: 7 / Pick: 257 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Unsigned draft pick |
| Career NFL statistics | |
| Player stats at NFL.com | |
Jaylen Key (born February 29, 2000) is an American football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UAB Blazers and the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Jets with the final pick of the 2024 NFL draft.
Early life and high school[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 | 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) |
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] | ||||||||||||
Key was drafted 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.
References[edit]
- ^ Rodak, Mike (27 April 2023). "Alabama hosts UAB transfer safety Jaylen Key on visit; other SEC schools interested". AL.com. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Burger, Kyle (20 December 2017). "UAB inks 10 on early signing day". WVTM. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Jaylen Key". Sports Reference. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Nick (12 May 2023). "Alabama football gains UAB defensive back Jaylen Key from transfer portal". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Smith III, Kennington (12 May 2023). "Former UAB DB Jaylen Key transfers to Alabama: What he brings to Tide". The Athletic. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Stahl, Matt (10 October 2023). "After transfer from UAB, Jaylen Key is fitting right in with Alabama football". AL.com. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Dudley, Evan (26 April 2023). "UAB safety Jaylen Key enters transfer portal; among others". AL.com. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Irvine, Steve. "UAB safety Jaylen Key enters transfer portal". 1819News. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Salerno, Cameron (12 May 2023). "Alabama lands DB Jaylen Key: Tide beef up secondary with addition of top-ranked safety in transfer portal". CBS Sports. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Alvarez, Nick (12 May 2023). "Alabama football brings in 2nd transfer defensive back with UAB's Jaylen Key". AL.com. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Potter, Charlie (10 October 2023). "Jaylen Key reflects on his decision to transfer from UAB to Alabama". On3.com. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Smith III, Kennington (4 September 2023). "With Jaylen Key, Malachi Moore in flux, Alabama's secondary depth will be tested vs. Texas". The Athletic. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Smith, Stephen (8 January 2024). "Alabama safety Jaylen Key announces 2024 NFL Draft decision". Touchdown Alabama. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Van Zummeren, Joey (29 February 2024). "Time at Alabama Helped Safety Jaylen Key Develop Strong Work Ethic". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "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.