Jalen Elliott Bio
Jalen Anthony Elliott is an American professional football safety born on July 7, 1998, in Richmond, Virginia. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2016 to 2019, where he was named a captain in his senior year. Undrafted in the 2020 National Football League (NFL) draft, Elliott signed with the Detroit Lions and went on to spend time with the New England Patriots, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is currently a member of the San Antonio Brahmas in the United Football League (UFL), continuing his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Anthony Elliott was born on July 7, 1998, in Richmond, Virginia, and grew up in the surrounding region of Chesterfield County. He attended L. C. Bird High School in Chesterfield, Virginia, where he developed into a Division I college football prospect at the safety position. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 205 pounds, Elliott combined the frame and coverage skills that programs at the highest level of college football look for in a defensive back.
His development at L. C. Bird earned him a scholarship offer from Notre Dame, one of the most storied programs in college football. Coming out of high school, Elliott was regarded as a versatile athlete capable of playing in multiple spots in the secondary, and he carried that reputation into his college recruitment.
Path to American Football
Elliott enrolled at the University of Notre Dame in 2016 and immediately began working within the Fighting Irish defensive backfield. Over four seasons, he progressed from a young contributor into a senior leader, learning under the Notre Dame coaching staff and competing against top-tier competition in college football. His experience in a defense known for producing NFL talent helped him refine his tackling, coverage, and pre-snap reads.
By the time his senior season arrived in 2019, Elliott had earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike. He was named a team captain for Notre Dame, a clear sign of his standing within the program. Following the 2019 season, he declared for the 2020 NFL draft, completing his path from a high school standout in Virginia to a draft-eligible prospect at one of the most recognized college football programs in the country.
Jalen Elliott Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, Jalen Anthony Elliott signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2020. His initial stay with the Lions was brief, as he was released on September 5, 2020, ahead of the regular season. The early setback did not end his professional opportunities, and he remained focused on earning another chance in the league.
Elliott returned to the Lions organization on September 1, 2021, when he was signed to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on October 23, 2021, for a Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Rams, and was signed to the active roster on November 9, 2021. His time in Detroit gave him his first regular-season NFL experience and allowed him to develop under the Lions coaching staff before being waived on May 12, 2022.
New England Patriots Era (2022)
Following his release from Detroit, Elliott signed with the New England Patriots on August 2, 2022. The Patriots, known for their disciplined defensive scheme, offered a new environment for the young safety. However, his tenure in New England lasted only a few weeks, as he was waived on August 20, 2022, during the final stages of preseason roster trimming.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2022–2023)
Shortly after his release from New England, Elliott joined the Las Vegas Raiders, signing with their practice squad on November 9, 2022. He remained with the organization through the end of the season and signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023, securing his place with the team into the following league year. His time with the Raiders came to an end when he was waived on May 1, 2023.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023–2024)
Elliott signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 8, 2023, beginning another chapter of his professional career. He was waived on August 28, 2023, but quickly found a path back. On October 30, 2023, he signed a letter of intent with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL, only to re-sign with the Steelers’ practice squad the following day. He was released on November 28, 2023, before being re-signed to the practice squad on December 19, 2023.
On January 17, 2024, Elliott signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers, and he went on to make the team’s 53-man roster. He appeared in two games during the 2024 season before being waived on October 1, 2024. His run in Pittsburgh represented his longest stretch on an NFL active roster to that point in his career.
San Antonio Brahmas Era (2025–Present)
On October 30, 2024, Jalen Anthony Elliott signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL), the spring professional football league formed from the merger of the XFL and USFL. The move gave him a chance to continue playing competitive professional football and to take on a featured role within the Brahmas secondary.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Elliott is a defensive football player rather than a motorsport athlete, his professional profile reflects a player built on versatility in the secondary, reliable tackling, and the ability to contribute on special teams. His experience moving between practice squads and active rosters has shown a capacity to adapt to different defensive schemes across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Elliott’s career was being named a team captain at Notre Dame in his senior year of 2019, a recognition of his leadership within one of college football’s premier programs. His debut on the Detroit Lions’ active roster in October 2021, followed by his placement on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 53-man roster in 2024, marked his most significant milestones at the professional level. According to his NFL statistics, he recorded 12 total tackles during his time in the league.
Jalen Elliott Career Wins
As a defensive safety, Jalen Anthony Elliott’s professional contributions are measured in tackles, coverage assignments, and special teams play rather than win totals in the traditional sense. His career path has carried him through multiple NFL organizations and into the UFL, with each stop adding to his body of work at the professional level.
Notre Dame Highlights
During his four seasons with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2016 to 2019, Elliott developed into a reliable contributor in the secondary. His selection as a team captain in 2019 served as the highest individual recognition of his college career and reflected the trust he earned from the coaching staff and his teammates.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his college career, Elliott has recorded 12 total tackles in his NFL career to date, spanning stints with the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and Pittsburgh Steelers. His continued presence on professional rosters, including his current role with the San Antonio Brahmas, reflects his durability and ongoing value as a defensive back.
Jalen Elliott Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Jalen Anthony Elliott’s family background are not widely documented in publicly available sources, and information about parents or other relatives has not been confirmed for publication.
Personal Life
Jalen Anthony Elliott was raised in the Richmond, Virginia, area and attended L. C. Bird High School in nearby Chesterfield. He has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye, and details about a spouse, partner, or children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Jalen Anthony Elliott is currently a member of the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League, where he signed on October 30, 2024, after being waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Brahmas compete in the spring season, and Elliott is expected to contribute to a defensive backfield that values experienced players with NFL backgrounds. His prior time in the league gives him a foundation for the pace and demands of UFL competition.
Coming off a 2024 NFL campaign in which he made the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 53-man roster and appeared in two games, Elliott transitioned into a developmental role with the Brahmas. The move offers him a clearer path to consistent playing time and the chance to showcase the coverage and tackling skills he refined during his time at Notre Dame and across multiple NFL organizations.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, Elliott’s outlook is shaped by his experience navigating practice squads, active rosters, and reserve/futures contracts over the past several seasons. His professional track record suggests a player who continues to compete for a long-term role in professional football, whether in the UFL or with a return opportunity at the NFL level.