Jake Luton

Jake Luton Biography

Jake Luton (born April 11, 1996) is an American professional football quarterback currently signed to the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 189th overall pick. Luton has appeared in sporadic starting opportunities throughout his NFL career, having spent time with multiple franchises including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, and Las Vegas Raiders.

Early Life and Background

Jake Luton was born on April 11, 1996, in Marysville, Washington. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest and attended Marysville-Pilchuck High School, where he played both football and baseball. Luton graduated from high school in 2014 as a two-star recruit and initially committed to play football at the University of Idaho in Moscow. At the time, the Idaho Vandals competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision as members of the Sun Belt Conference under second-year head coach Paul Petrino.

College Career at Idaho and Ventura

Luton redshirted his true freshman season at Idaho in 2014. He saw action in eight games during the 2015 season, where he threw for 408 passing yards and rushed for five touchdowns. In June 2016, Luton announced his departure from Idaho and transferred to Ventura College, a two-year community college program in Southern California. At Ventura, he emerged as a prolific performer, starting 11 games and throwing for 3,551 yards with 40 touchdowns, demonstrating the arm talent that would eventually earn him another Division I opportunity.

Oregon State and Final Collegiate Years

Following his standout season at Ventura College, Luton transferred to Oregon State University in Corvallis, where third-year head coach Gary Andersen had taken over the program. He won the starting quarterback job heading into the 2017 season but suffered a back injury that ended his campaign after just four games. Due to the injury, Luton was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. He returned for his fifth-year senior season in 2018, though detailed statistics from that year remain limited. In his final collegiate season of 2019, Luton started 11 games and delivered his most polished performance, throwing for 28 touchdowns with only three interceptions while showcasing improved decision-making and leadership under center.

Jake Luton Professional Career

Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Jake Luton in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 189th overall pick, providing him the opportunity to continue his professional football journey. His first significant NFL moment came in Week 9 of the 2020 season when he was announced as the starter for the Jaguars against the Houston Texans. Starting quarterback Gardner Minshew was unavailable due to a thumb injury. Luton made his debut in that game, completing 26 of 38 passes for 304 yards with one touchdown and one interception, also adding a 13-yard rushing score, though the Jaguars fell to the Texans 27-25. The performance showed flashes of his ability to move the ball effectively through the air.

Luton retained the starting role for Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers. He completed 18 of 35 passes for 169 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 24-20 loss. The Jaguars named him the starter for a third consecutive game in Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, this proved to be his most difficult outing, as he completed just 16 of 37 passes for 151 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions in a 27-3 defeat. Following that performance, the Jaguars announced on November 25, 2020, that they were benching Luton in favor of Mike Glennon. He was waived on August 31, 2021, as part of final roster cuts.

Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins (2021)

On September 2, 2021, Luton signed with the Seattle Seahawks following his release from Jacksonville. He was waived on September 28 but was re-signed to the practice squad shortly after. Luton was activated from the practice squad in October following an injury to starting quarterback Russell Wilson. He was subsequently released and re-signed to the practice squad when the Seahawks signed quarterback Jacob Eason. Luton was released again on November 15, 2021. He joined the Miami Dolphins practice squad on November 17, 2021, continuing his journey through the league as a developmental quarterback.

Return to Jacksonville and New Orleans (2022)

Luton returned to the Jacksonville Jaguars on February 11, 2022, signing a reserve/future contract. He was waived in August but re-signed eight days later. He was waived once more before the regular season began. On September 6, 2022, Luton joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster in early October before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad mid-month. Luton signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 9, 2023, only to be waived on May 2, 2023.

Carolina Panthers (2023–2024)

Luton signed with the Carolina Panthers on July 29, 2023. He was released during final roster cuts in late August and joined the practice squad. On September 26, 2023, the Saints signed Luton off the Panthers practice squad. He was released in mid-October following the return of quarterback Jake Haener from suspension. Luton returned to the Panthers practice squad on October 25, 2023. He was released in late November, re-signed in early December, and released again later that month. On August 5, 2024, Luton re-signed with the Panthers but was placed on injured reserve and released following an injury settlement on August 29, 2024.

Las Vegas Raiders (2024–Present)

On December 10, 2024, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Luton to their practice squad. This move marked his seventh NFL franchise in five seasons, reflecting the journeyman path typical of backup quarterbacks seeking to establish themselves in the league. Luton continues to work toward securing a more permanent role in the NFL.

Playing Style and Strengths

Jake Luton stands at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters), giving him the prototypical height NFL teams seek in a quarterback. His frame of 224 pounds provides adequate bulk for the position. Luton has demonstrated the ability to make throws from the pocket and shows arm strength sufficient for intermediate and deep passes. His collegiate career at Oregon State showed promise in his final season with an impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio, indicating sound decision-making when protected adequately. However, his limited starting opportunities have not allowed him to consistently demonstrate these tools at the professional level.

Jake Luton Career Statistics

Across his limited NFL appearances, Luton has appeared in games with the Jacksonville Jaguars as his primary opportunity. His career statistics reflect a small sample size of work in relief and spot-starting roles.

NFL Career Summary

In his NFL career spanning 2020 through 2024, Luton has attempted 110 passes, completing 60 for a 54.5 percent completion rate. He has thrown for 624 yards with two touchdowns against six interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 54.5. His mobility has been limited, with a 13-yard rushing touchdown recorded during his debut start representing his most notable rushing contribution. The statistics underscore the challenges faced by late-round draft picks attempting to carve out consistent roles in the league.

College Career Highlights

Luton’s most productive collegiate season came at Ventura College in 2016, where he threw for 3,551 yards and 40 touchdowns in 11 games. His final season at Oregon State in 2019 saw him start 11 games with 28 touchdowns and only three interceptions, demonstrating significant growth as a decision-maker. His early struggles with injuries at Oregon State and the subsequent transfer path shaped his development trajectory.

Personal Life

Jake Luton maintains a presence on social media through his Instagram account (@jakeluton6), though he keeps details of his personal life largely private. As a native of Marysville, Washington, he has maintained connections to his home state throughout his professional career, having played much of his early football in the Pacific Northwest before his college and professional journeys took him across the country. He continues to pursue his NFL career while residing in the United States.

2025 Outlook

Entering the 2025 season, Jake Luton remains on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad, seeking to build upon his five seasons in the league. His primary goal will be to earn a spot on an active roster and demonstrate the improvement and consistency that eluded him in previous starting opportunities. The journeyman path has provided valuable experience in various offensive systems, and Luton will look to leverage that adaptability into a more stable role. Should an opportunity arise due to injuries or roster moves, he will aim to prove he can execute at a higher level than his limited NFL statistics suggest. Teams value experienced backup quarterbacks who understand the league’s demands, and Luton’s journey has certainly provided that education.