Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste Bio
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste (born May 31, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Central Florida Knights and the Ole Miss Rebels before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Jean-Baptiste enters the 2025 season looking to earn a roster spot after spending his rookie year on the Chargers practice squad.
Early Life and Background
Jean-Baptiste was born in Florida City, Florida, on May 31, 2001. He grew up in the southern Florida area and attended South Dade Senior High School in Homestead, Florida. During his high school career, he developed into a notable linebacker prospect while playing for the Buccaneers.
As a junior at South Dade Senior High School, Jean-Baptiste recorded 131 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and five sacks. His defensive contributions helped lead his team to a regional championship game appearance. He was rated as the No. 71 inside linebacker in the nation and the No. 213 player in the state of Florida according to 247Sports. Jean-Baptiste earned a three-star recruiting rating and drew attention from multiple college programs.
Path to American Football
Jean-Baptiste received scholarship offers from several programs including Ole Miss, Buffalo, Georgia Tech, and UMass. He ultimately decided to commit to play college football at the University of Central Florida, choosing the Knights over his other suitors. His commitment marked the beginning of his transition from high school prospect to collegiate athlete.
At the collegiate level, Jean-Baptiste developed his skills in the competitive American Athletic Conference and later the Southeastern Conference, facing increasingly challenging competition while refining his abilities as a linebacker.
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste Career
College Career (2019–2023)
Jean-Baptiste began his college career at the University of Central Florida in 2019. During his true freshman season, he appeared in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker. He finished the season with 12 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and one pass breakup, demonstrating his ability to contribute on special teams and defensive units.
In 2020, Jean-Baptiste appeared in all 10 games and earned two starts at linebacker. He recorded 37 total tackles with 27 solo stops and 10 assisted tackles, along with half a tackle for loss. His increased playing time reflected his development and trust from the coaching staff.
UCF Breakthrough (2021–2022)
The 2021 season marked a significant leap in Jean-Baptiste production. He appeared in 12 games and started five at linebacker, compiling 51 total tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded his first collegiate interception, one sack, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble. His all-around performance showcased his ability to make plays in various facets of the game.
During his senior season in 2022, Jean-Baptiste played and started 10 games. He finished with 52 total tackles, five tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble. On December 6, 2022, he announced his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity for his final season of collegiate eligibility.
Ole Miss Transition (2023)
Jean-Baptiste transferred to the University of Mississippi, joining the Ole Miss Rebels. On December 16, 2022, he publicly announced his commitment to play for the SEC program. During the 2023 season, he appeared in all 13 games and started 10 of them at linebacker. He placed fifth on the team with 54 total tackles, adding 4.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries. His consistency and leadership helped anchor the Rebel defense in a competitive conference.
On January 2, 2024, Jean-Baptiste announced his decision to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, concluding his collegiate career after five seasons at the Division I level.
Los Angeles Chargers (2024–Present)
Jean-Baptiste went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft but signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2024. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived on August 27, 2024. The Chargers re-signed him to their practice squad, where he spent the remainder of his rookie season developing under the team’s coaching staff.
Jean-Baptiste signed a reserve/future contract with Los Angeles on January 13, 2025, indicating the team’s interest in his continued development. However, he was waived by the Chargers on May 13, 2025, making him available for other teams during the 2025 offseason.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jean-Baptiste brings size and physicality to the linebacker position at 6 feet 2 inches and 230 pounds. His collegiate career demonstrated his ability to diagnose plays quickly, fill running lanes, and contribute in pass coverage. He showed versatility by playing multiple games and earning starts at both his UCF and Ole Miss stops, indicating adaptability to different defensive schemes and coaching styles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jean-Baptiste achieved a significant milestone by playing 61 total games across his collegiate career at two Power Five programs. His 2023 season at Ole Miss, where he ranked fifth on the team in tackles, represented his most productive statistical year. Moving from a three-star high school recruit to an NFL player demonstrates his trajectory and work ethic throughout his development.
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste Career Statistics
Jean-Baptiste accumulated over 200 total tackles during his five seasons of collegiate football while playing in the AAC and SEC. His career spanned 61 games with 27 starts, showing consistent availability and increasing responsibility as his career progressed.
College Highlights
At UCF from 2019 to 2022, Jean-Baptiste appeared in 45 games and recorded 152 total tackles with 14 tackles for loss, one interception, one sack, and seven pass breakups. His most productive single-season performance came during the 2022 campaign when he started all 10 of his appearances. His 2021 season featured his first career interception and his highest single-season tackle-for-loss total at 6.5.
At Ole Miss during the 2023 season, Jean-Baptiste appeared in all 13 games with 10 starts, recording 54 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. His transition to the SEC demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest collegiate level while continuing to be a productive tackler.
Professional Career
Jean-Baptiste signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in April 2024. He spent portions of the 2024 season on the Chargers practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025. His professional career remains in its early stages as he works toward securing a regular-season roster spot.
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste Family
Personal Life
Jean-Baptiste grew up in Florida City, Florida, and attended South Dade Senior High School in Homestead. His upbringing in South Florida helped shape his development as an athlete in a region known for producing football talent. He pursued his football career at the collegiate level, eventually earning opportunities at both UCF and Ole Miss.
2025 Season Performance
Jean-Baptiste enters the 2025 season following his release from the Los Angeles Chargers in May 2025. The transaction marked the end of his initial tenure with the organization that signed him as an undrafted free agent. He remains available for signing with other teams seeking linebacker depth heading into training camp.
At 24 years old, Jean-Baptiste possesses youth and experience from his collegiate career that could appeal to teams in need of linebacker depth. His ability to play multiple games and contribute on special teams provides value for a franchise looking to develop young talent. The 2025 season presents an opportunity for him to compete for a roster spot with a new organization.