Myles Jack

Myles Jack's Biography

Myles David Jack, a celebrated American professional football player was born on September 3, 1995. Currently a free agent, Jack has carved an elaborate mark in his football career. Residing in Scottsdale, Arizona with his mother, LaSonjia Jack and H. David Jack, his first start of the game began in Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Washington where he lettered in football and track. During his sophomore years, Jack played exclusively as a running back before he later became a linebacker. On his senior, he recorded an impressive 98 tackles and 24 sacks thereby driving his team to a 14-0 record. Jack extended his reach to other athletic activities like track where he finished fourth in the 400-meter dash at the 2013 WA 3A State meet. His personal best times are recorded at 49.05 s and 22.12 s for the 400-meter and 200-meter dash events respectively.

A four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Jack was enlisted as the 16th best outside linebacker in the nation in 2013. Opting for UCLA over other offers from other universities, Jack began his college football journey. In 2013, Jack played 13 games and ranked at the second position in the highest tackles by a UCLA freshman, second to Kenny Easley’s 93 in 1977. He performed spectacularly as both a defensive and offensive player, a unique credit for a football player.

A knee injury saw Jack drop out from UCLA in 2015 to declare for the draft. Despite the initial setbacks, Jack was picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. Today, Jack along with his mother LaSonjia Jack is the proud owner of the ECHL Allen Americans, a testament to their passion for American football.

Regarded as a versatile player, Jack was often deployed as a running back, adding more weight to his abilities. His remarkable performances panned out as he aced his trials as a running back, picking up 267 rushing yards on 38 carries. Jack’s career took a turning point in a 31-26 victory over Arizona when he recorded an astounding 120 yards on 6 carries that included a 66-yard touchdown. His dual ability to operate as a defender and running back had a significant effect on the team’s standings in league matches.

A meniscus tear in his knee during a routine practice in 2015 announced the end of the season for Jack. As expected, Jack withdrew from UCLA to focus on his rehabilitation and the impending 2016 NFL draft. Prior to the draft, Jack had amassed a high reputation and was consequently considered a first-round draft prospect.

In spite of his injury, Jack was among the 39 linebackers to attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He managed to secure the 13th position in the bench press among all participating linebackers. A physical evaluation in 2016 confirmed the progress of recovery in his injured knee spurring more confidence onto Jack’s career prospects.

As an outcome of the pre-draft process, Jack was projected to be an early first round pick, reflecting the high expectations on his performance. His top-notch capabilities earned him the title of the best linebacker in the draft by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and other renowned NFL analysts. To further boost his accolades, he was also ranked as the best overall player in the draft by ESPN.

However, concerns over his recent knee injury led to a surprising turn of events. Jack, despite the predictions, ended up being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round as the 5th linebacker in 2016. With an outlook to put his capabilities to best use, Jack competed against veteran Dan Skuta for the position of the starting strongside linebacker.

Subsequently, Jack was elevated to the full-time head coach and retained Todd Wash as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator. Through the 2017 season, Jack made the transition to a middle linebacker, with the help of teammate Paul Posluszny, which put his playing ability in a new perspective.

In an unexpected move, Jack signed a four-year, $57 million contract extension with $33 million guaranteed in August 2019. A series of unfortunate events through minor injuries put Jack on injured reserve on December 5, 2019. Overcoming the setbacks, Jack came back strong in the 2020 season making 118 tackles, one interception, and five passes defended.

Demonstrating his resilience, despite the constant flux of fortune, Jack continues his pursuit of excellence in the world of American football. The journey from being a student in UCLA Bruins to being a professional NFL linebacker and also a team owner has been laced with numerous honors and recognition. Myles Jack embodies strength and versatility, traits that set him apart in the high-intensity arena of American football.