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Jaylen Key (born February 29, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UAB Blazers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was selected by the New York Jets with the final pick of the 2024 NFL draft, making him that year's Mr. Irrelevant.
| No. 43 – Cincinnati Bengals | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Safety |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | February 29, 2000 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Amos P. Godby (Tallahassee, Florida) |
| College: | |
| NFL draft: | 2024 / round: 7 / pick: 257 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Roster status: | Practice squad |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Key grew up in Quincy, Florida and attended Amos P. Godby High School. Coming out of high school, Key was rated as a three-star recruit where he decided to commit to play college football for the UAB Blazers.[1][2]
UAB
In Key's first three seasons in 2019, 2020, and 2021, Key notched 18 tackles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery.[3] In week thirteen of the 2022 season, Key made 12 tackles versus LSU.[4] During the 2022 season, Key tallied 60 tackles with four and a half being for a loss, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.[5] For his performance on the 2022 season, Key was named honorable mention all Conference-USA.[6] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Key decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal.[7][8]
Alabama
Key decided to transfer to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide.[9][10] Coming into the 2023 season, Key won a starting safety spot on the Crimson Tide defense.[11] During week one of the 2023 season, Key snagged an interception in a win over Middle Tennessee.[12] Key finished the 2023 season with 60 tackles with one and a half being for a loss, a pass deflection, and an interception.[13] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Key decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.[14]
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| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0+3⁄4 in (1.85 m) |
208 lb (94 kg) |
32+1⁄4 in (0.82 m) |
9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 4.60 s | 1.59 s | 2.63 s | 4.09 s | 7.20 s | 36.5 in (0.93 m) | 10 ft 10 in (3.30 m) | ||
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[15][16] | ||||||||||||
New York Jets
Key was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round, with the 257th overall pick, of the 2024 NFL draft. He was the final pick of the draft, making him 2024's Mr. Irrelevant.[17] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[18][19] He was released on October 30.[20]
Cincinnati Bengals
On December 17, 2024, Key was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.[21]
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