Jamal Agnew

Jamal Agnew's Biography

Born on April 3, 1995, Jamal Agnew is known for his incredible talent and remarkable career in the National Football League (NFL) as a formidable wide receiver and return specialist. Born and brought up in the United States, Agnew stands tall among his peers due to his dedicated spirit and uncontainable passion for the world of football.

As a young football aspirant, Agnew served his high school years at Point Loma High School, a renowned institution towards the north of the city. Despite standing out from the crowd and outperforming many of his peers, Agnew was overlooked for a scholarship to a major NCAA Division I school due to his size. Undeterred, Agnew moved on to play college football for the San Diego Toreros. Here, he proved his worth as a powerful cornerback and skilled kick returner. By the end of his college career, Agnew had left an indelible mark on the field with an astonishing 148 tackles and 11 interceptions.

In 2017, Agnew tapped into the potential of his senior year to the fullest. He made 17 punt returns, covering 216 yards, raising the bar for his peers. Recognizing his talent, the Detroit Lions selected Agnew in the fifth round (165th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft, making him only the second player in San Diego Torrero history to have such an honor. Following his selection, he signed a four-year contract of $2.65 million with the Lions, including a signing bonus of $258,364.

In his first season with the Lions, Agnew proved his worth as a destructive force on the field. With two impressive touchdowns, 29 punt returns of 447 net yards, and 11 kickoff returns for 196 net yards, Agnew made critical contributions to the Lions’ games. His extraordinary performance earned him the leading position in NFL in punt return yards and punt return touchdowns, earning him first team All-Pro honors and a spot in the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.

Despite suffering a knee injury that forced him into the injured reserve in 2018, Agnew bounced back, showcasing his talent time and again. He transitioned from a cornerback to a full-time wide receiver in 2020, a shift that he handled with proficiency as evidenced by his stats: 13 receptions for 89 yards, 28 kickoff returns for 783 net yards, and 14 punt returns for 178 net yards, including one touchdown.

In March 2021, Agnew joined hands with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a three-year contract worth $14.25 million. The Jaguars’ trust in Agnew was justified as he scored his first touchdown for the team with a record-breaking 102-yard kick-off return. The following week Agnew proved his worth yet again, scoring a touchdown with a 109-yard return of a missed field goal attempt, tying for the longest play in NFL history.

As Agnew continued to forge through the 2022 NFL season, he played in 15 games while recording an impressive 1,025 all-purpose yards with an average of 26 yards per kickoff return. Even the rib and shoulder injury he suffered in November 2023 during a Week 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers failed to halt his momentum, as he got back into the game in December the same year.

In recognition of his contributions to the league and his team, Agnew was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl. Being a free agent now, Jamal Agnew continues to be a significant name in the world of professional football. Inspiring confidence and resilience in the face of adversity, Agnew’s journey bears testimony to his unyielding will and unfaltering dedication. With an avenue to set more records and create more history, Agnew’s career is no less than a playbook for every budding football enthusiast.