Jaylen Waddle

Jaylen Waddle was born on November 25, 1998, in Houston, Texas. He attended Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas, where he played football and participated in the U.S. Army All-American Game. Waddle committed to the University of Alabama to play college football, joining the Crimson Tide on National Signing Day in 2018. During his freshman year in 2018, he made an immediate impact, earning the SEC Freshman of the Year title. He recorded 45 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 16 punt returns for 233 yards and one touchdown. His college career was marked by consistent high-level performance and significant contributions in both receiving and special teams.

In his sophomore season in 2019, Waddle continued to excel, with 33 receptions for 560 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He was also a standout return specialist, returning a punt 77 yards for a touchdown against LSU and a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against Auburn. His performance led to him being named first-team All-SEC as a return specialist and SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. He led the NCAA in punt return yards with 487. The 2020 season saw him deliver strong receiving numbers, including at least 120 receiving yards in each of his first four games. Although his season was interrupted by a broken ankle in October 2020, he returned for the National Championship game against Ohio State. In January 2021, Waddle declared for the NFL Draft.

Waddle was drafted sixth overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2021 NFL Draft, rejoining his college quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He signed a $27.1 million deal with the team on May 14, 2021. In his rookie NFL season, Waddle set an NFL rookie record for receptions with 104, surpassing Anquan Boldin’s previous record. He finished the season with 1,015 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In 2022, he achieved career highs in receiving yards (1,356) and touchdowns (8), leading the league with 18.1 yards per catch. In 2024, the Dolphins exercised his fifth-year option and signed him to a three-year, $84.75 million contract extension, reflecting his value to the team.