Jalen Reagor

Jalen Reagor's Biography

Jalen Armand Reagor, an influential figure in the realm of American Football, was born on January 2, 1999, to Ishia Johnson and Montae Reagor, a former NFL defensive end. His childhood unfolded in Waxahachie, Texas, where he honed a strong affinity for football and track & field at Waxahachie High School. Bolstering the Indians’ football team, Reagor impressed spectators, granting back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons under the tutelage of his coach, Jon Kitna, a former NFL quarterback. In 2017, his athletic prowess earned him a slot in the Under Armour All-America Game. Simultaneously, his track & field mastery bore fruit as he clinched a gold medal in the long jump at the 2017 Texas High School state meet.

Following high school, Reagor took his talents to Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas. He quickly gained notoriety after his monumental TCU debut against Jackson State, contributing two crucial receptions to the team’s phenomenal 63-0 victory. Subsequent feats include a Hail Mary touchdown catch against Southern Methodist University and tallies in every one of TCU’s final four games of the season, propelling the squad through the Big 12 Championship Game and a successful bout with Stanford in the 2017 Alamo Bowl. Subsequently, he was conferred the title of Co-Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.

New challenges greeted Reagor in his sophomore season at TCU. Having switched from jersey number 18 to 1, he embraced newfound mentorship roles as the team’s go-to receiver. Despite rotating through three different starting quarterbacks, Reagor distinguished himself as the first TCU receiver to surpass 1,000 yards since Josh Doctson. Following the conclusion of the season, he was bestowed the title of 2nd-team All-Big 12. At the conclusion of his 2019 season, Reagor settled his sights on the professional arena. Forgoing his last year of eligibility, he declared for the 2020 NFL draft.

In the 2020 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Reagor in the first round, bestowing upon him the coveted 21st overall spot. This nod marked him as the first wide receiver drafted in the first round from TCU since former All-American Josh Doctson in 2016. Not long after, he inked a four-year contract worth $13.3 million with the Philadelphia Eagles, bracing for his first NFL season. Despite a shoulder injury, Reagor pushed through, making a noteworthy debut against the Washington Football Team, where he nabbed a significant 55-yard reception. However, an ensuing thumb injury forced him to halt his momentum, landing him on the injured reserve list.

In Week 8 against Dallas, Reagor caught his first career touchdown; his debut season concluded with 31 receptions for 396 yards. Nevertheless, his second season with the Eagles saw mixed fortune; performance inconsistencies stemmed from two crucial dropped passes, including a touchdown in the final drive against the New York Giants. He eventually pulled through, achieving 33 receptions for 299 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns across 17 games and 13 starts for the 2021 season.

Transpiring seasons saw Reagor serve different teams. A trade led him to join the Minnesota Vikings, where he changed his jersey number to 5 representing his desire for spiritual growth, self-confidence, freedom, curiosity, and change. Yet, his time with the Vikings was short-lived; he was waived in August 2023. The New England Patriots signed him to their practice squad shortly after. On the Patriots’ roster, Reagor solidified his legacy, leaving behind a trail of stirring exploits. However, he was released and later picked up by the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad in September 2024. As Reagor’s thrilling journey continues to unfold, fans eagerly anticipate his contributions to the professional football arena.