Jaylen Waddle is an American football wide receiver and currently plies his trade in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. He signed with the Dolphins in the 2021 NFL Draft; he was a 1st round pick and the 6th overall selection in the draft.

Who is Jaylen Waddle?

Jaylen Waddle was born on November 25, 1998 in Houston, Texas. He did his schooling at Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas. He chose the University of Alabama as the place to continue his development as a football player, playing his collegiate football for the Crimson Tides from 2018–2020. 

In his freshman year with the Crimson Tides, Waddle was named the SEC Freshman of the Year having made 45 receptions for 84 yards and 7 touchdowns throughout the season. He had also returned 16 punts for 233 yards and a touchdown. 

Also read:

His sophomore year saw him receive accolades as well as he was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year for the 2019 season. That year he recorded 33 receptions for 560 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. His junior year was blighted by injury as he broke his ankle early in the season, but still finished with 28 receptions for 591 yards (average: 21.1) and 4 touchdowns. 

He decided to forego his senior year with the Crimson Tides and instead declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Waddle became the 6th drafted pick of the year overall when the Dolphins signed him on a lucrative $27.1 million rookie contract. He was also reunited with his college quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the process. 

Also read:

He made his NFL debut on September 12, 2021 against the New England Patriots, and caught 4 of his 6 targets for 61 receiving yards and also his first NFL touchdown helping the Dolphins to a hard-fought 17–16 win. 

He broke the all-time rookie record for receptions in Week 16 and finished the season with an impressive 104 receptions for 1,015 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.