Jalen Redmond (born March 12, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2018 to 2022. Redmond entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has since played for the Carolina Panthers, Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL), and the Minnesota Vikings. He is known for his explosive first step and ability to pressure quarterbacks from multiple positions along the defensive line.
Jalen Redmond Bio
Jalen Redmond is a professional football player who has navigated an unconventional path to the NFL. After earning recognition as a five-star recruit coming out of high school, his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma was marked by both promise and adversity. Blood clot issues interrupted his freshman season and caused him to opt out of the 2020 campaign, yet he continued to produce when healthy. His combination of size, speed, and power attracted NFL attention despite going undrafted in 2023. Redmond has since carved out a role as a rotational defensive lineman, contributing on passing downs and bringing energy to whichever franchise he joins.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Redmond was born in Midwest City, Oklahoma, where he would spend his formative years developing into an athlete. His introduction to organized sports came through basketball, which he played exclusively during his first two years of high school at Midwest City High School. Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 230 pounds by his junior year, Redmond caught the attention of football coaches who saw his physical tools as ideal for the gridiron. They convinced him to try out for the team, a decision that would change the trajectory of his athletic career. During spring practice as a junior, Redmond received his first collegiate scholarship offer from Memphis, even before playing a single varsity football game. That season, lining up at both defensive end and outside linebacker, he recorded 82 tackles and 14 sacks, immediately establishing himself as a dominant pass rusher.
Colleges began recruiting Redmond in earnest following his junior campaign, and by the start of his senior year he had accumulated approximately 20 scholarship offers. His final high school season proved even more impressive, as he posted 87 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, and 19.5 sacks while earning first-team all-state honors from The Oklahoman. Recognized as a five-star prospect and rated as the 16th-best player nationally by 247Sports, Redmond generated significant interest from top programs across the country. He ultimately chose to continue his football career close to home, announcing his commitment to play for the University of Oklahoma.
Path to American Football
Arriving at the University of Oklahoma as a highly-touted freshman in 2018, Redmond found himself in a position to compete for immediate playing time on a talented roster. However, his rookie campaign was derailed by a blood clot issue that medical staff deemed serious enough to rule him out for the entire season. Despite the setback, Redmond remained with the program and was able to return to action midseason, appearing in three games while finishing with six total tackles. The experience taught him resilience and provided motivation heading into his sophomore year.
Redmond established himself as a difference-maker in 2019, appearing in 13 of 14 games and leading the team with 6.5 sacks while ranking third on the squad with 11 tackles for loss. His ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt opposing passing attacks showcased the potential that made him a top recruit. Following the season, he prepared for what was expected to be a breakout 2020 campaign. Instead, Redmond made the difficult decision to opt out of the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and concerns related to his blood clot history. The choice prioritized his long-term health but created uncertainty about his football future.
Jalen Redmond Career
College Career (2018–2022)
After his opt-out year, Redmond returned to Norman in 2021 with renewed determination. He appeared in eight games, starting seven of them, and registered 19 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks despite missing five games due to injury. His durability remained a concern, but his production when on the field continued to demonstrate his value as a disruptive presence along the defensive front. As a senior in 2022, Redmond suited up for 12 games and posted 23 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and four sacks. While his sack totals did not match his earlier output, his ability to penetrate and finish tackles for loss remained a consistent asset throughout his collegiate career.
2023 NFL Combine Breakthrough
Redmond entered the 2023 NFL Draft process with something to prove after his injury-plagued college career raised questions about his durability. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he delivered a statement performance that reminded scouts of his elite ceiling. His 40-yard dash time placed second among all players at his defensive end position, and his 10-yard split was also second-best at his position. Most impressively, he recorded the best broad jump and vertical jump among defensive ends in attendance, testing numbers that ranked among the best in his draft class regardless of position. The workout reinforced his status as a player with rare athletic tools, even if his college production had been inconsistent due to circumstances beyond his control.
Carolina Panthers (2023)
Despite his impressive combine performance, Redmond went undrafted in April 2023. He signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023, giving him an opportunity to prove himself in an NFL environment. He participated in the teams offseason program and training camp, working to earn a roster spot along the defensive line. However, the Panthers waived Redmond on August 8, 2023, during final roster cuts, ending his first stint in the NFL before the regular season began.
Arlington Renegades (2024)
Following his release from Carolina, Redmond continued his football career by signing with the Arlington Renegades of the XFL on December 11, 2023. The spring football league provided him with game experience and an opportunity to showcase his abilities in live competition. He appeared in games during the 2024 XFL season with the Renegades. His contract with Arlington was terminated on June 17, 2024, to facilitate his signing with an NFL franchise, indicating that his performance had attracted interest from teams at the highest level of professional football.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2024–Present)
Redmond signed with the Minnesota Vikings on June 18, 2024, joining a defensive line rotation looking for depth and pass-rushing punch. He spent time with the team during training camp and the preseason but was waived on October 11, 2024, as part of roster adjustments. Rather than losing him entirely, the Vikings signed Redmond to their practice squad three days later on October 14, keeping him in the organization while he continued to develop. His hard work paid off when the team promoted him to the active roster on November 6, 2024, recognizing his contributions in practice and his potential to impact games. This marked a significant milestone in his journey, cementing his place on an NFL roster and providing him with regular-season opportunities.
Driving Style and Strengths
Redmond plays the game with a relentless motor and explosive power that makes him a handful for opposing offensive linemen. His best attribute remains his first-step quickness, which allows him to beat blocks before pass protectors can set their feet. Standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 305 pounds, he combines solid size with the lateral mobility to slant inside or kick outside against smaller tackles. His background playing both defensive end and outside linebacker in college gives him positional versatility that defensive coordinators value in sub-packages. Redmond also demonstrates a high motor on every down, frequently chasing plays from the backside and making tackles in pursuit.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his young career, Redmond has accumulated several notable achievements that underscore his potential. His 2019 season at Oklahoma, where he led the team in sacks despite missing a game, demonstrated his ability to be a primary difference-maker along the defensive front. The 2023 NFL Combine performance that ranked among the best for his position in multiple categories announced his arrival as an elite athlete with rare measurables. Earning a promotion from the Vikings practice squad to the active roster in November 2024 represented the culmination of a long road that included stops with two other franchises and a stint in the XFL.
Jalen Redmond Career Statistics
Redmond has appeared in 20 career NFL games across three seasons with the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings. His professional career has been defined by steady contributions as a rotational player, with his best work coming in limited opportunities. His collegiate production at Oklahoma, particularly his 6.5-sack sophomore campaign and 10-tackle-for-loss senior season, provided the foundation for his NFL potential.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Redmond has recorded 80 career tackles, 7.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 7 pass deflections in NFL regular-season play. His 7.0 career sacks represent modest but promising production for a player who has not yet served as a full-time starter. His ability to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers shows up in his forced fumble and fumble recovery numbers. As he continues to acclimate to the NFL level and earns more consistent playing time, these numbers figure to trend upward.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his NFL statistics, Redmond gained valuable game experience during his time with the Arlington Renegades of the XFL in early 2024. Playing in a professional spring league allowed him to face live competition and refine his technique after being waived by the Panthers. The experience proved beneficial, as he signed with the Vikings shortly after his Renegades tenure concluded and eventually earned an elevation from their practice squad.
| League | Games | Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2023–2025) | 20 | 80 | 7.0 | 1 |
Jalen Redmond Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jalen Redmond was born and raised in Midwest City, Oklahoma, by his family in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Specific details about his parents, extended family, or any family history in athletics are not widely available in public sources.
Personal Life
Redmond maintains a presence on social media, where he connects with fans through his accounts on X and Instagram. He shares updates about his football career and training regimen with his followers. Information about his marital status, relationships, or children has not been made public.
2025 Season Performance
Jalen Redmond enters the 2025 season with the Minnesota Vikings with momentum following his mid-season roster promotion in 2024. Now in his second year with the organization, he has an opportunity during training camp to compete for a more substantial role along the defensive line. The Vikings coaching staff values his versatility and athletic profile, which allows him to contribute in multiple packages. Redmond has shown steady improvement in his understanding of the NFL game, and a full offseason within the same system should help him take another step forward. If he can stay healthy and earn consistent playing time, his career statistics stand to grow significantly as he enters his prime years as a professional athlete.