Jelani Woods

Jelani Woods Bio

Jelani Woods is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Standing at 6 feet 7 inches, Woods is among the taller players at his position in professional football. He entered the NFL after being selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts with the 73rd overall pick. Woods began his collegiate career at Oklahoma State before transferring to the University of Virginia for his senior season, where he earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. His professional career began with the Colts from 2022 to 2024 before joining the Jets organization.

Early Life and Background

Jelani Woods was born on October 9, 1998, in Ellenwood, Georgia. He grew up in his hometown and attended Cedar Grove High School, where he quickly established himself as a versatile athlete. During his junior season as quarterback, Woods passed for 1,992 yards with 20 touchdown passes against six interceptions, demonstrating the playmaking ability that would define his early football career. His athletic prowess extended beyond football, as he also earned honorable mention All-State honors in basketball as recognized by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

As a senior at Cedar Grove High School, Woods continued to excel under center, passing for 2,316 yards and 26 touchdowns while earning first-team All-Region 5 3A honors. His performance attracted attention from multiple college programs, and he was rated as a three-star recruit. Woods ultimately chose to continue his football career at Oklahoma State, selecting the Cowboys over prominent offers from Michigan, Louisville, Kansas State, and South Carolina.

Path to the NFL

Woods arrived at Oklahoma State as an early enrollee and redshirted his freshman season. During practices leading up to the 2017 Camping World Bowl, coaches transitioned him from quarterback to tight end, a position change that would define his future career trajectory. This positional switch leveraged his size and athleticism in a new way, opening doors that would not have been available to him as a quarterback at the collegiate level.

Following his redshirt freshman campaign, Woods settled into a consistent role with the Cowboys offense. He finished his redshirt freshman season with seven receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns. As a redshirt sophomore, he caught 16 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference recognition. His redshirt junior year saw him record eight receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown, once again earning honorable mention All-Big 12 honors.

After the 2020 season, Woods made the decision to transfer to the University of Virginia as a graduate student. This move proved transformative for his career. Playing for the Virginia Cavaliers in 2021, Woods emerged as one of the top tight ends in the country, catching 44 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns. His outstanding season earned him first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition, significantly raising his NFL draft profile and establishing him as a legitimate professional prospect.

Jelani Woods Career

Indianapolis Colts Era (2022–2024)

Jelani Woods was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 73rd overall pick. His selection came after a impressive pre-draft process that showcased his rare combination of size and athleticism. Woods entered the Colts organization with high expectations, joining a team that was rebuilding under new leadership following quarterback Carson Wentz’s departure.

Woods made an immediate impact during his rookie season. In Week 3 of the 2022 season against the Kansas City Chiefs, he scored his first two professional touchdowns on his first two career receptions in a dramatic 20-17 victory. This memorable debut as a receiving threat announced Woods as a potential difference-maker at the tight end position. He finished his rookie campaign with 25 catches for 312 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating the red-zone production that had characterized his college career at Virginia.

The 2023 season brought challenges for Woods. He was placed on injured reserve on August 30, 2023, prematurely ending his second professional season. This setback interrupted his development and prevented him from building upon his promising rookie year. The following offseason brought additional difficulties when Woods underwent toe surgery on August 23, 2024, an injury that required approximately four months of recovery time.

Despite these obstacles, Woods continued working toward returning to full health. However, on August 26, 2025, the Colts waived him as part of final roster cuts. This unexpected move marked the end of his tenure with the organization that had drafted him three years earlier.

New York Jets Era (2025–Present)

Woods was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on August 27, 2025, providing him with a fresh opportunity with a new franchise. Joining the Jets, Woods became part of an organization seeking to build a competitive roster with significant investments at the skill positions. His arrival offered additional depth and red-zone capability to the Jets passing attack.

Following the 2025 season, Woods re-signed with the Jets on March 11, 2026, indicating the team’s continued interest in his development and potential contributions going forward. This commitment from the organization suggested that Woods had demonstrated value during his initial tenure with the team and would have an opportunity to compete for a more significant role in the offense moving forward.

Playing Style and Strengths

At 6 feet 7 inches and 253 pounds, Jelani Woods possesses exceptional size for the tight end position, allowing him to be a mismatch problem for opposing defenses. His background as a quarterback in high school developed his understanding of offensive schemes and route concepts, giving him unusual awareness for a player who transitioned to the tight end position. Woods excels at creating separation in the red zone and presents a significant target in jump-ball situations due to his height advantage over most defensive backs and his leaping ability against linebackers.

Notable Events and Milestones

The most memorable moment of Woods early professional career came in Week 3 of his rookie season when he scored his first two NFL touchdowns on his first two career receptions against the Kansas City Chiefs, helping the Colts secure a 20-17 upset victory. This performance against a perennial playoff team demonstrated his ability to contribute immediately at the professional level and provided a blueprint for how his skill set could translate to NFL success.

Jelani Woods Career Statistics

Through the 2024 NFL season, Jelani Woods has recorded 25 career receptions for 312 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. His rookie season accounted for all of his statistical production, as injuries limited his contributions in subsequent years. Woods continues to work toward a fully healthy season where he can demonstrate his full potential as a receiving threat at the tight end position.

Professional Career Statistics

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a significant chapter in Jelani Woods career as he navigated a transition between franchises. Beginning the season with the Indianapolis Colts, Woods faced the challenge of earning a roster spot while working back to full health following his toe surgery from the previous year. Despite the difficulties of the previous seasons with injuries, he maintained his dedication to the sport and prepared himself for competition.

Woods tenure with the Colts ended when he was waived during final roster cuts on August 26, 2025. However, his professional career received new life when the New York Jets claimed him off waivers the following day. This opportunity allowed Woods to continue his NFL career with an organization seeking to strengthen its tight end room. His ability to be claimed off waivers demonstrated that other teams valued his potential and viewed him as a worthwhile addition to their roster.