Jaelyn Duncan Bio
Jaelyn Alexander Duncan (born July 8, 2000) is an American professional football offensive tackle. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. After two seasons with the Titans, Duncan joined the DC Defenders of the United Football League in 2026.
Listed at 6 feet 6 inches and 322 pounds, Duncan has been used as a developmental tackle with the ability to play on both sides of the offensive line. He has appeared in regular-season games at the NFL level and has also taken part in high-profile college all-star events, including the 2018 Under Armour All-American Game.
Early Life and Background
Jaelyn Alexander Duncan was born on July 8, 2000, in Silver Spring, Maryland. He grew up in the state of Maryland and attended local schools while developing as a young football player. His size and athleticism made him a notable prospect in the region from an early stage of his high school career.
Duncan attended Northern High School in Owings, Maryland, for three years before transferring to Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore for his senior year. Saint Frances Academy is a well-known program that has produced several college and professional football players. During his final high school season, Duncan earned recognition as one of the top offensive line prospects in the country.
Following his senior year, Duncan was selected to play in the 2018 Under Armour All-American Game, a showcase that features many of the top high school football players in the United States. He then committed to the University of Maryland, College Park, choosing to stay in his home state to play college football.
Path to American Football
Duncan’s path to professional football began with his college career at the University of Maryland. After not playing during his first year on campus in 2018, he redshirted and continued to develop in the Terrapins’ strength and conditioning program. His combination of size, footwork, and length made him a fit at offensive tackle.
As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Duncan took over as Maryland’s starting left tackle, signaling his rapid rise within the program. He started all five games of the shortened 2020 season as a sophomore and then played in all 13 games with 13 starts as a junior in 2021, including the Terrapins’ Pinstripe Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. He returned for his senior season in 2022 to complete his college career.
In January 2023, Duncan was invited to participate in both the 2023 Senior Bowl and the 2023 NFL Combine, two of the most important pre-draft events for NFL prospects. His performance in those events, combined with his college tape, helped establish him as a draft-eligible offensive tackle prospect for the 2023 NFL draft.
Jaelyn Duncan Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Duncan’s early football career was built at Saint Frances Academy and the University of Maryland. At Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, he played his senior season and earned a spot in the 2018 Under Armour All-American Game. That recognition helped him arrive at Maryland as a highly regarded offensive line recruit.
At Maryland, Duncan worked his way into the starting lineup during his redshirt freshman year in 2019 and held the left tackle job across multiple seasons. He started every game he appeared in during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, including Maryland’s bowl win over Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl. His durability and consistency along the offensive line were key factors in his decision to return for his senior year in 2022.
Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Duncan was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round, 186th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. He joined an offensive line room that was in transition, and as a rookie, he appeared in ten games and started five during the 2023 season. His playing time gave him valuable NFL experience and allowed the Titans to evaluate him as a long-term developmental prospect.
Duncan returned to the Titans for the 2024 season and appeared in four games early in the year, including starts at offensive tackle. In Week 7, he suffered a hamstring injury during a start against the Buffalo Bills and was placed on injured reserve on October 26. He was activated on December 23 and returned to play one more game in Week 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, finishing the season with three starts.
On August 26, 2025, Duncan was waived by the Titans as part of the league’s final roster cuts. Across his two seasons in Tennessee, he played in 15 total games and made 8 starts, gaining meaningful experience at the NFL level before moving on to the next stage of his career.
DC Defenders Era (2026–Present)
On January 14, 2026, Duncan was selected by the DC Defenders of the United Football League. The move gave him the opportunity to continue his professional career in a spring football league and to take on a significant role along the Defenders’ offensive line.
Duncan joined the Defenders as an active offensive tackle on the roster. His experience from two NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans positioned him as a veteran presence within the UFL locker room. He is expected to compete for a starting role and to provide stability at tackle for the Defenders’ offense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Duncan is a tall, long offensive tackle at 6 feet 6 inches and 322 pounds, with the frame to handle power pass rushers. His college experience at left tackle for the Maryland Terrapins, combined with starts on both sides of the line during his time with the Tennessee Titans, has given him positional flexibility. He is best suited to a scheme that emphasizes length, reach blocking, and pass protection.
Notable Events and Milestones
Duncan’s career has included several notable milestones, including his selection to the 2018 Under Armour All-American Game, his starting role as a redshirt freshman at Maryland, and his participation in both the 2023 Senior Bowl and the 2023 NFL Combine. He became a sixth-round draft pick in the 2023 NFL draft and went on to start multiple games for the Tennessee Titans before joining the DC Defenders of the United Football League in 2026.
Jaelyn Duncan Career Statistics
Jaelyn Duncan’s professional career includes time with the Tennessee Titans in the NFL and the DC Defenders in the UFL. His NFL totals include 15 games played and 8 games started across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with his Titans tenure ending when he was waived as part of final roster cuts in August 2025. He then joined the DC Defenders in January 2026 to continue his professional career.
Jaelyn Duncan Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information about Jaelyn Alexander Duncan’s family background is not widely documented in public sources. He was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attended high school in the state before committing to the University of Maryland to play college football.
Personal Life
Details about Jaelyn Alexander Duncan’s personal life, including marital status and family, are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He is known to have built his football career in the state of Maryland and the southeastern United States, with stints in Tennessee and the Washington, D.C. area.
2025 Season Performance
Jaelyn Alexander Duncan’s 2025 season began with the Tennessee Titans, where he was listed on the roster entering training camp. He appeared in four games early in the 2024 season before a hamstring injury in Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills sent him to injured reserve. His recovery and return to play in Week 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars gave the Titans additional film to evaluate heading into the next league year.
On August 26, 2025, Duncan was waived by the Tennessee Titans as part of the league’s final roster cuts, ending his time with the organization. Across his two seasons in Tennessee, he finished with 15 games played and 8 games started, providing the Titans with developmental depth at offensive tackle. His release opened the door for a fresh start in a new professional environment.
Looking ahead, Duncan signed with the DC Defenders of the United Football League on January 14, 2026, setting the stage for his next chapter. The move to the UFL offers him the chance to take on a featured role along the offensive line and to continue building his professional resume. His combination of NFL experience and tackle versatility makes him a key piece of the Defenders’ roster plans.