Jeremy Reaves Bio
Jeremy Antoine Reaves is an American professional football safety and special teams player for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. He was born on August 29, 1996, in Pensacola, Florida, and attended Pensacola Catholic High School where he played football and baseball. After playing collegiately at South Alabama and going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Reaves signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Washington franchise, where he developed into one of the league’s premier special teams players, earning Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro honors in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Jeremy Antoine Reaves was born on August 29, 1996, in Pensacola, Florida. He attended Pensacola Catholic High School, where he played both baseball and football. He originally played running back for the Crusaders before his coach moved him to defensive back after his sophomore year, a position change that would define his football future.
As a junior at Pensacola Catholic, Reaves earned first-team all-area honors. In his senior year, he was selected as honorable mention All-State despite missing significant time due to vertebrae fractures. He finished his senior season with 39 tackles and five interceptions, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to the sport.
Path to Professional Football
Jeremy Reaves continued his football career at the University of South Alabama, playing for the Jaguars from 2014 to 2017. He played cornerback during his first three seasons before transitioning to safety for his senior year, a move that better suited his skill set for the next level.
His senior season proved to be his best, as he was named the 2017 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, becoming South Alabama’s first player to earn that distinction. He was also invited to the 2018 Senior Bowl, where he recorded eight tackles and an interception against top collegiate competition, showcasing his abilities to NFL scouts despite going undrafted.
Jeremy Reaves Career
Early NFL Career (2018–2020)
After going unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jeremy Reaves signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018. He was waived during final roster cuts in September and subsequently signed to the Washington Redskins practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in December and made his NFL debut in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans.
The 2019 season followed a familiar pattern, with Reaves being waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times before earning a promotion. He made his first career start in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, recording three tackles before suffering a head injury. He finished the 2019 season with 15 tackles across nine games with three starts.
Establishing His Role (2020–2021)
The 2020 season saw Reaves continue his journeyman path, bouncing between the practice squad and active roster. A significant breakthrough came in Week 12 against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, when he recorded his first career sack on Andy Dalton during a 41–16 victory. The following week against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, on Sunday Night Football, Reaves recorded his first career interception off Nate Sudfeld. He finished the 2020 season with 25 tackles and one interception, appearing in nine games with three starts.
In 2021, Reaves appeared in five games with two starts, making 29 tackles and one pass defended. A highlight came in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he recorded a career-high 12 tackles. He was signed to the active roster ahead of the Week 18 season finale, continuing his steady presence on Washington’s defense and special teams units.
Washington Commanders Breakthrough (2022)
The 2022 season marked Jeremy Reaves’s breakout year. For the first time in his career, he made the Washington Commanders’ 53-man roster out of training camp, finally establishing himself as a permanent fixture on the active roster after years of不确定性 between the practice squad and the main team.
Reaves’s exceptional performance on special teams earned him league-wide recognition. In December 2022, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl as the NFC special teams starter. In January 2023, he was named the 2022 First-team All-Pro special teamer, the highest honor in the league for his position. He finished the season with a career-high 33 tackles and one pass defensed while playing a career-high 374 snaps on special teams, appearing in all 17 games with three starts.
Recent Seasons (2023–2025)
Following his breakout 2022 season, Reaves signed a tender with the Commanders in March 2023. His 2023 campaign was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on October 10 after suffering a partially torn ACL. He appeared in five regular-season games before the injury ended his season.
Reaves returned in 2024, signing a two-year contract with the Commanders on March 13. He appeared in all 17 games, making 20 tackles. With one year remaining on his contract, he signed a one-year extension in June 2025. In the Week 18 season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded his second career interception when he picked off quarterback Tanner McKee, providing a memorable end to his season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jeremy Reaves has established himself as one of the league’s most reliable special teams players. His football intelligence, consistent tackling technique, and versatility from playing multiple defensive positions give him an edge in coverage situations. His ability to understand offensive schemes from both cornerback and safety perspectives makes him a valuable asset on Washington’s special teams units.
Notable Career Moments
Several defining moments have shaped Reaves’s career trajectory. His first career sack on Andy Dalton during the 2020 Thanksgiving game against Dallas and his first career interception against the Eagles that season marked his emergence as a playmaker. His Pro Bowl selection and First-team All-Pro honors in 2022 represented the culmination of years of persistence through the challenges of his early NFL career.
Jeremy Reaves Career Statistics
Jeremy Reaves has built a solid statistical foundation across his NFL career. His career totals include 219 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble. His best statistical season came in 2022 when he earned First-team All-Pro honors while playing a career-high 374 snaps on special teams.
College Statistics Highlights
At South Alabama, Reaves was a prolific defender throughout his four seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 301 total tackles, including 21 for loss, along with 8 interceptions, 22 passes defensed, and 9 forced fumbles. His senior season was his most decorated, as he led the team with 104 tackles while earning Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.
NFL Career Statistics (Regular Season)
Across his NFL career, Jeremy Reaves has appeared in 70 games with 21 starts, accumulating 219 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble. His most productive season came in 2022 when he recorded 33 tackles while earning First-team All-Pro recognition. The table below summarizes his career production by season.
| Season | Team | Games | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Washington Redskins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Washington Redskins | 9 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | Washington Football Team | 9 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021 | Washington Football Team | 5 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | Washington Commanders | 17 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | Washington Commanders | 5 | 97 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 2024 | Washington Commanders | 17 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | Washington Commanders | 6 | TBD | TBD | 1 | TBD |
Jeremy Reaves Family
Family Background
Jeremy Reaves grew up in Pensacola, Florida, where he attended Pensacola Catholic High School. He has chosen to keep details about his parents and family background private, maintaining a focus on his football career and professional achievements rather than public discussion of his family life.
Personal Life
Jeremy Reaves is engaged to Mikaela Worley. The couple celebrated a significant milestone when Reaves proposed to Worley on December 29, 2024, on the field of Northwest Stadium following a victory against the Atlanta Falcons. This romantic moment combined the celebration of a team win with a personal life milestone, creating a memorable occasion captured by fans and media.
2025 Season Performance
Jeremy Reaves entered the 2025 season as a veteran presence for the Washington Commanders after signing a one-year contract extension in June. At 29 years old, Reaves continues to serve as a key contributor on special teams and in the defensive backfield, bringing experience and consistency to the Commanders’ coverage units. The extension reflected the team’s confidence in his ability to perform at a high level after more than seven seasons in the league.
Throughout the early portion of the 2025 season, Reaves maintained his role as one of Washington’s most reliable special teams contributors. His leadership and mentorship of younger players on coverage units proved valuable as the team navigated its season. His veteran presence in the locker room and on the field continued to be an important part of the team’s culture and defensive identity.
The 2025 season concluded with Reaves recording his second career interception in the Week 18 finale against the Philadelphia Eagles when he picked off quarterback Tanner McKee. This interception provided a fitting end to his season and demonstrated his continued ability to make game-changing plays even after multiple seasons in the league. Looking ahead, Reaves remains a key piece of the Commanders’ plans as he continues his career with the organization.