Jalen Mills

BIOGRAPHY

Jalen Mills, born on April 6, 1994, is an acclaimed American professional football player, currently playing as a safety for the New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL). His journey to the NFL began in his high school and college years, punctuated with achievements and struggles that shaped him into a formidable NFL defender.

Mills had his early education at Lancaster High School, relocating to DeSoto High School in his senior year. In 2011, he registered impressive statistics, helping the DeSoto Eagles advance to the UIL 5A Division 1 playoff’s second round. Inspired by his exploits on the field, scouts and football analysts rated him as a three-star recruit, leading him to commit to the Louisiana State University (LSU) to play college football under Coach Les Miles.

Mills’s college career was marked by notable performances. Starting all 13 games at cornerback in his freshman year, he recorded 57 tackles and two interceptions, cementing his place on the team. His consistency into his sophomore year was rewarded as he was positioned at safety for most of his junior year, thanks to his versatility. Despite facing a challenge in his senior year in 2015—missing the first six games due to injury—Mills persevered, earning a spot as a 2015 All-American by CBS Sports.

Transitioning to a professional career, Mills’ fortunes varied as draft experts and scouts held differing opinions on his prospects. NFL analyst Mel Kiper and CBS Sports both projected him as a potential second or third-round draft pick. A fall in his stock owing to injuries he sustained during his junior year was not enough to deter the Philadelphia Eagles from selecting him in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft.

Over his NFL career, Mills has integrated into various teams, starting with the Philadelphia Eagles, where his first professional regular season debut took place against the Cleveland Browns on September 11, 2016. His performances throughout the season saw him feature in all 16 games and earned him a firm position in the team. The subsequent seasons saw Mills growing into a formidable cornerback with regular starts and commendable performances on the field. The highlight of his Eagles career was earning a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LII.

A foot injury in 2018 slowed Mills down, and in August 2019, he was placed on the reserve list due to the same injury. However, he bounced back and was activated in October that year, where he continued registering impressive performances for the Eagles. His consistency was rewarded in 2020 when he signed a one-year contract extension.

Exemplifying his adaptability, Mills adopted safety as his position in the 2020 season, a move that complemented his impressive stats. He ended this season with 1.5 sacks, 74 total tackles, an interception, three passes defended, and a forced fumble.

In 2021, Mills made a significant move in his career by signing a four-year, $24 million contract with the New England Patriots. Mainly used as cornerstone No. 2 behind J.C. Jackson, Mills accumulated commendable statistics for the season.

Mills’ time with the Patriots had its ups and downs; he faced release only to be re-signed five days later in 2023. His proficient performances on the field led him to sign a contract with the New York Giants in 2024. Later that year, Mills joined the New York Jets’ practice squad, marking a new phase of his ongoing football career.

Despite his on-field triumphs, Mills’s life off the field has faced multiple controversies. Notably, he was arrested twice: once in 2014 for a suspected second-degree battery charge and again in 2019 for an altercation with former NBA player, Devin Robinson. Despite these incidents, Mills has worked hard to maintain his football career and reputation.

Affectionately nicknamed the “Green Goblin” for his distinct green hairdo, Jalen Mills’s journey in professional football demonstrates resilience, adaptation, and an unwavering commitment. From his early college days to his ongoing NFL career, Mills continues to leave a mark on American football as a competent defender, proficient athlete, and unique character.