Jordan Machai Magee Bio
Jordan Machai Magee is an American professional football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. He played college football for the Temple Owls and was selected by the Commanders in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds, Magee brings a combination of size, versatility, and football intelligence to the linebacker position.
Magee signed his four-year rookie contract with Washington on May 10, 2024, beginning his professional career after earning second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors during his final college season. His journey from Dover High School in Delaware to the NFL exemplifies a steady, hard-earned path through collegiate and professional football.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Machai Magee was born on March 24, 2001, in Towson, Maryland, before his family relocated to Dover, Delaware, where he spent his formative years. At Dover High School, Magee played football and basketball, lining up at quarterback and safety on the football team. As a senior quarterback, he helped lead Dover High to a 9-2 record while throwing for 1,208 yards and 18 touchdowns, earning first-team all-conference and second-team all-state honors as the team reached the Delaware playoff semifinals.
Recruiting services listed Magee as a 2-star athlete with no single designated position, reflecting his versatility across multiple phases of the game. He recognized late in his high school career that linebacker or safety would be his most effective positions at the college level, and that self-awareness shaped his recruitment strategy. After weighing offers from Delaware State and Morgan State, he committed to Temple to play college football, setting the stage for his development into an NFL-caliber linebacker.
Path to the National Football League
At Temple, Magee arrived as a true freshman in 2019 and redshirted while appearing in four games primarily as a special teams contributor. His development accelerated in 2020, when he appeared in five games and posted 15 tackles, demonstrating that his skill set was translating to the college level. By 2021, he had earned a starting role at linebacker and finished the season with 54 tackles and three passes defended, signaling that he was ready for a larger role on the Owls defense.
The 2022 season marked Magee as one of the most productive defensive players in the American Athletic Conference. He recorded a team-leading 86 tackles along with 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, finishing 10th in the conference in total tackles and earning honorable mention All-AAC recognition. In 2023, his final season at Temple, he posted 80 tackles that placed eighth in the conference while also leading Temple in tackles, and his 14 tackles for loss ranked third in the American Athletic Conference. That performance earned him second-team All-AAC honors and cemented his NFL draft prospects.
Jordan Machai Magee Career
Early Career (2019-2023)
Magee built his collegiate football resume over five seasons at Temple, where he finished his career with 235 total tackles, eight sacks, one interception, 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His steady progression from a redshirt special teams contributor to a two-time All-AAC performer reflected both his work ethic and his football intelligence. The Owls relied heavily on his run-stopping ability and coverage skills, and his 2022 and 2023 seasons in particular made him a respected name in conference-wide defensive conversations.
His college trajectory caught the attention of NFL scouts, who valued his versatility, tackling consistency, and experience reading offensive formations from his days playing quarterback in high school. After completing his senior season in 2023, Magee prepared for the NFL draft process, attending the league combine and pro day events to showcase his measurables and football skills to professional teams.
NFL Draft and Rookie Year (2024)
The Washington Commanders selected Jordan Machai Magee in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, taking him with the 139th overall pick. The selection reflected Washington confidence in his developmental ceiling as an off-the-ball linebacker who could contribute on special teams while growing into a rotational role on defense. He signed his rookie contract on May 10, 2024, beginning his professional career with the organization that drafted him.
Magee suffered a knee injury during a preseason game against the New York Jets, requiring a minor procedure to repair the damage. The Commanders placed him on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, delaying the start of his regular-season rookie campaign. He returned to the active roster on October 23, 2024, and appeared in regular-season games upon his recovery, finishing his rookie campaign with 63 tackles and one pass deflection across the games he was able to play following his return from injury.
Washington Commanders Era (2024-Present)
Jordan Machai Magee began his NFL career with the Washington Commanders under the terms of his four-year rookie contract, which runs through the 2028 season. After navigating the challenges of a knee injury and a rehabilitation process that sidelined him for the first weeks of his rookie year, he worked his way back into the lineup and established himself as a contributor on the Commanders defense. His 2025 season represents an important opportunity to build on the foundation laid during his first year in the league.
As he continues to develop within the Commanders system, Magee is working to expand his role on defense and special teams while building chemistry with his teammates and coaching staff. The 2025 campaign will provide valuable game experience as he aims to solidify his position on the roster and contribute consistently to Washington defensive efforts week after week.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 3 inches and 225 pounds, Jordan Machai Magee possesses the frame and physicality needed for the linebacker position in the National Football League. His background playing quarterback and safety in high school gives him an uncommon understanding of offensive football, including quarterback tendencies, route concepts, and timing, which translates to better anticipation and reaction on defense. His football intelligence and versatility allow him to contribute in multiple defensive roles, from run support to pass coverage, making him a valuable rotational asset for the Commanders.
Magee demonstrated tackling consistency and pass coverage ability during his college career at Temple, and his eight sacks and 11 passes defended reflect his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. His path from a 2-star high school recruit to an NFL draft pick highlights the development of his instincts and technique under college coaching, and his work ethic and football IQ position him well for continued growth at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jordan Machai Magee reached a significant career milestone when the Washington Commanders selected him with the 139th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, fulfilling the goal he set while committing to Temple out of Dover High School. His recovery from a preseason knee injury and return to the active roster in October 2024 represented an important personal and professional milestone, as he fought to contribute to his team despite the setback. He continues to build his NFL career with the Commanders, working toward establishing himself as a consistent contributor on defense.
Jordan Machai Magee Career Wins
Jordan Machai Magee career highlights span his college tenure at Temple and his professional career with the Washington Commanders. His most significant contributions as a linebacker come through tackles, tackles for loss, and defensive plays rather than traditional win counts, and his verified statistics reflect his overall production across multiple phases of the game.
National Football League Highlights
Magee was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft and began his professional career under a four-year rookie contract. His rookie season included 63 tackles and one pass deflection in the regular-season games following his return from injured reserve. He continues to develop as a professional linebacker with Washington, with his 2025 season representing an opportunity to expand his role and production on the defensive side of the ball.
College Football Highlights
At Temple, Magee finished his collegiate career with 235 total tackles, eight sacks, one interception, 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries over five seasons. His 2022 campaign stood out as a breakout year when he recorded a team-leading 86 tackles along with 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. In 2023, his 80 tackles placed eighth in the American Athletic Conference and his 14 tackles for loss ranked third in the conference, earning him second-team All-AAC recognition. These accomplishments established his reputation as one of the more productive defensive players in his conference during his final two college seasons.
Jordan Machai Magee Family
Family Background
Jordan Machai Magee was born in Towson, Maryland, and his family later moved to Dover, Delaware, where he attended high school and began his football career. Details about his parents and immediate family members have not been publicly disclosed in available sources. His upbringing in Delaware and early exposure to organized football through Dover High School provided the foundation for his eventual path to the National Football League.
Personal Life
Jordan Machai Magee maintains an active social media presence on Instagram, where he shares updates about his football career and personal life. His personal interests and activities outside of football have not been widely documented in public sources. As a young professional athlete in the early stages of his NFL career, Magee continues to establish his public profile while focusing on his development with the Washington Commanders.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represents an important chapter in Jordan Machai Magee professional development as he enters his second year with the Washington Commanders. Having returned from the knee injury that interrupted his rookie campaign, Magee has the opportunity to build on his regular-season experience and compete for an expanded defensive role. His progression through the offseason program and training camp will be key factors in determining his snap count and production for the season ahead.
The Commanders defensive scheme provides Magee with an opportunity to showcase his tackling ability, pass coverage skills, and football intelligence developed through his college career at Temple. As he gains more NFL experience and familiarity with the team playbook, the 2025 season positions him to take a meaningful step forward in his professional football career while continuing to contribute to the Washington Commanders defensive efforts.