Report: Jaylen McCollough agrees to UDFA deal with Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are signing Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jaylen McCollough to an undrafted free agent deal, according to a report by Aaron Wilson.
Jaylen McCollough spent five seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers. Over the course of his college career, he played in a total of 55 games. He had 241 total tackles. Of those tackles 160 were solo tackles, 15.5 were tackles for a loss, and two were sacks. He also had six interceptions and 16 passes defended.
His most productive individual season came in 2023. His 58 total tackles on the season were tied for the most he had in any individual season. He also had three of his six career interceptions in 2023 and scored a defensive touchdown.
McCollough announced his decision to go pro following Tennessee’s Citrus Bowl win this past season.
“I am truly grateful for God’s grace and mercy over my life. Without Him, none of these opportunities would have been possible,” McCollough wrote on Instagram. “I would also like to thank Him for blessing me with my athletic abilities to perform and compete at the highest levels. This story is all God.”
While at Tennessee, Jaylen McCollough played for two different head coaches, Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel. It was under Heupel that the Volunteers found more success as a program. During the last two seasons, Tennessee has a record of 20-6, finished in the Top-25 both seasons, and won the Orange Bowl.
Heupel is a coach that McCollough has praised in the past for what he’s meant to that Tennessee program.
“He came in, he set a culture, a great foundation. And coach Heupel will take this program as far as it can go,” McCollough said. “Thankful for him, thankful for everything he’s done, and excited to see where Tennessee goes now.”
Jaylen McCollough played high school football at Hillgrove (Georgia), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 165 overall recruit in the 2019 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
The Los Angeles Rams are coming off a season where they went 10-7. That was good for second in the NFC West. That was good enough to make it to the playoffs as a Wild Card team, where Los Angeles went on the road and lost a close game to the Detroit Lions.
Under head coach Sean McVay, the Rams have an overall record of 70-45. The Rams also have a Super Bowl win under him. Now, with Jaylen McCollough on the defense, Los Angeles will once again look to finish the season atop the NFC West.