Jaylen McCollough

Jaylen McCollough's Biography

Jaylen “Tank” McCollough, born on October 12, 2000, has emerged as one of America’s prominent figures in professional football, known for his role as a safety for the National Football League’s (NFL) esteemed team – the Los Angeles Rams. Through a successful journey from college football to NFL, McCollough continues to make significant strides in his pro-football career, leaving an indelible impact on the game of American football.

McCollough was invited into the world of football from an early age when academia first welcomed him at the Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. It was his promising performance here that paved McCollough’s rise to stardom through college, garnishing him with offers from football powerhouses such as Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, and his soon-to-be alma mater, Tennessee.

Rated as a four-star recruit, McCollough’s racing track record and capabilities stirred quite a sensation in high school circuits, making him a sought-after asset for college football. Out of all the attractive offers in his hands, McCollough picked the University of Tennessee, stating his commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers, a decision that laid the roadmap for his future accomplishments.

His tenure at Tennessee marked various victories and milestones, but it was undoubtedly the 2023 season that stood out, distinguishing McCollough as a significant force on the field. The season witnessed McCollough start all 13 games for the Volunteers, making a remarkable tally of 58 tackles and intercepting three balls, with one returning for an impressive touchdown. Standing tall in the aftermath of his victorious season, McCollough declared his candidacy for the 2024 NFL draft.

His five-year stint from 2019 to 2023 with the Volunteers featured him in 60 games, where he commenced in school record 51 games, recording a total of 242 tackles, 15.5 of them being losses, two sacks, 16 pass deflections, and six interceptions. Other bold points in his career included forcing a fumble and a touchdown. However, the 2024 NFL draft table took a surprising turn when McCollough was overlooked.

Undeterred, McCollough made his entry into the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Los Angeles Rams. Proving his intrinsic value, he became one of the four UDFA’s signed by the Rams to be included in the team’s initial 53-man roster. His NFL career started with a bang, where on October 6th, 2024, in a game against the Green Bay Packers, McCollough intercepted his first pass thrown by quarterback Jordan Love, returning it 4 yards for his maiden NFL career touchdown.

However, October 10, 2022, saw McCollough land in legal trouble when he was arrested on felony assault charges, faced with a situation where an unpredictable accident led him to punch a man who allegedly trespassed into his apartment. This, resulting in the man losing consciousness, led to an indictment on a felony aggravated charge for McCollough on June 16, 2023, where he was threatened with a potential 3 to 15-year prison sentence. On September 13, 2023, his trial date was fixed for February 12, 2024.

In a final stroke of events, McCollough pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge on February 9, 2024, resulting in a one-year probation period and a restitution of $22,000 to the victim. Despite this setback, McCollough persists in his NFL career, making consistent strides and efforts to rise above the odds, proving that real victory lies not only in achievements but in resilience and change.