Jarius Monroe Bio
Jarius Monroe (born October 6, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nicholls Colonels and the Tulane Green Wave before signing with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Throughout his collegiate career, Monroe earned numerous accolades, including two-time first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors and Defensive MVP honors at the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.
Early Life and Background
Jarius Monroe was born on October 6, 2000, in LaPlace, Louisiana, USA. He attended East St. John High School in Reserve, Louisiana, where he developed into a standout football player. Monroe was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school.
His performance at East St. John High School attracted attention from college programs across the region. Monroe demonstrated the defensive instincts and coverage skills that would define his future career at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Football
After completing high school, Monroe committed to play college football for the Nicholls Colonels. He began his collegiate career in 2019 and quickly established himself as a defensive playmaker. Over his three seasons with Nicholls, Monroe became a three-year starter, recording 102 tackles, 28 pass deflections, and one interception.
Following the 2021 season, Monroe entered the NCAA transfer portal seeking a new opportunity. He transferred to play for the Tulane Green Wave, a decision that would prove pivotal to his development as a player. The move to Tulane allowed Monroe to showcase his abilities against higher-level competition in the American Athletic Conference.
Jarius Monroe Career
Nicholls Colonels (2019–2021)
Monroe began his college football career with the Nicholls Colonels in 2019. Over three seasons with the program, he established himself as a reliable and consistent defender in the secondary. His 102 career tackles, 28 pass deflections, and one interception demonstrated his ability to read plays and contribute in multiple facets of the defense.
As a three-year starter, Monroe gained valuable experience that would prepare him for the challenges of higher-level competition. His tenure at Nicholls laid the foundation for the success he would achieve at the next level.
Tulane Green Wave Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Monroe transferred to Tulane for the 2022 season and immediately made an impact. In the season opener against UMass, he recorded his first interception with the Green Wave in a victory. He continued his strong play throughout the season, finishing 2022 with 49 tackles, eight pass deflections, and three interceptions, earning first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors for the first time.
The 2023 season represented the peak of Monroe’s collegiate career. He recorded 48 tackles, three sacks, ten pass deflections, three interceptions, and a forced fumble. His most memorable moment came in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic, where he intercepted Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams, helping Tulane upset USC. For his efforts, Monroe once again earned first-team All-AAC honors. He was subsequently invited to participate in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl, where he was named the game’s Defensive MVP, solidifying his reputation as one of the top defensive backs in college football.
New York Jets Era (2024–Present)
Monroe signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. Despite going undrafted, his strong college career and Shrine Bowl MVP performance earned him an opportunity with the NFL franchise. He was waived on August 27, 2024, during final roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad shortly after.
Monroe was promoted to the Jets active roster on December 24, 2024, marking his official arrival on an NFL roster. The following season brought additional roster movement. On August 26, 2025, Monroe was waived with an injury settlement during final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the Jets practice squad on November 5, 2025, and elevated to the active roster on November 13. He made his season debut in the team’s Week 11 loss to the New England Patriots. Monroe was signed to New York’s active roster on December 16, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Monroe plays the safety position, bringing versatility and football intelligence to the Jets secondary. His collegiate career demonstrated strong coverage abilities, with the instinct to read quarterbacks and break on passes. He has shown proficiency in both zone and man coverage schemes. His three sacks at Tulane in 2023 indicate pass-rushing ability when blitzed, while his multiple interceptions per season show his playmaking potential in the defensive backfield.
Notable Events and Milestones
Monroe’s interception of Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic stands as one of the defining moments of his career. The play helped Tulane secure a historic upset victory over USC and demonstrated Monroe’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations against elite competition. His back-to-back first-team All-AAC selections and Defensive MVP honors at the Shrine Bowl further established his credentials as a professional prospect.
Jarius Monroe Career Statistics
Monroe compiled impressive statistics across his collegiate career before transitioning to the NFL.
Tulane Green Wave Highlights
At Tulane over two seasons, Monroe established himself as one of the premier safeties in the American Athletic Conference. In 2022, he recorded 49 tackles, eight pass deflections, and three interceptions. His 2023 campaign saw him post 48 tackles, three sacks, ten pass deflections, three interceptions, and a forced fumble. His combined six interceptions over two seasons demonstrated consistent playmaking ability.
Nicholls Colonels Highlights
During his three seasons at Nicholls from 2019 to 2021, Monroe served as a three-year starter, accumulating 102 tackles, 28 pass deflections, and one interception. His durability and consistency during this period laid the groundwork for his successful transfer to Tulane.
| Competition Level | Tackles | Pass Deflections | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholls (2019–2021) | 102 | 28 | 1 |
| Tulane (2022–2023) | 97 | 18 | 6 |
Jarius Monroe Family
Family Background
Public records indicate that Jarius Monroe was born in LaPlace, Louisiana. Details regarding his family background, parents, or siblings are not extensively documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Monroe maintains an active presence on social media with accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. He continues to pursue his professional football career following his collegiate career at Nicholls and Tulane.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition and perseverance for Monroe with the New York Jets. After being waived during final roster cuts in August, he was re-signed to the practice squad in November. His elevation to the active roster in Week 11 marked his entry into the season, as he made his 2025 debut in the loss to the New England Patriots. He was later signed to the active roster in December, indicating the Jets coaching staff saw value in his contributions.
Monroe’s ability to bounce back from being waived demonstrates his resilience and determination to earn a spot in the NFL. His career NFL statistics as of Week 10, 2025, show six total tackles at the professional level. The Jets continue to evaluate his development as they assess their secondary options for future seasons.