Jalen Reeves-Maybin Bio
Jalen Ahmad Reeves-Maybin is an American professional football linebacker and special teams player. Born on January 31, 1995, in Clarksville, Tennessee, he played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers before being selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 226 pounds, Reeves-Maybin has built a reputation as a reliable defender and one of the league’s most productive special teamers.
Across his NFL career, Reeves-Maybin has also served as president of the NFL Players Association since 2024, reflecting his standing among his peers. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection and first All-Pro honor in 2023 as a special teams representative, capping a steady climb from late-round draft pick to respected veteran leader.
Early Life and Background
Reeves-Maybin was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, and raised in the same community that helped shape his love for football. He is the son of LaDawn Reeves and Marques Maybin, with his father having been a standout basketball player at the University of Louisville from 1997 to 2001. His cousin, Cameron Maybin, went on to play as an outfielder in Major League Baseball, giving the family a notable presence in professional sports.
He attended Northeast High School in Clarksville, where he played football for the Eagles. As a senior, he contributed on offense as a quarterback and gained more than 2,000 rushing yards, including 1,000 yards across three postseason games with more than 300 yards in each contest. He scored two touchdowns in a playoff game against eventual state champion Beech Senior High School and was named an All-State selection on defense in 2012 by the Tennessee Sports Writers.
Path to American Football
Before the 2013 season, Reeves-Maybin committed to play college football for the University of Tennessee under head coach Butch Jones. He quickly earned playing time as a true freshman, becoming a standout on special teams with a team-best 11 tackles and appearing in 11 games while rotating between linebacker and defensive back. He recorded at least one special teams tackle in six consecutive games and blocked a punt against the sixth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs that led to a touchdown return.
By his sophomore year, Reeves-Maybin had grown into a full-time starter, leading the team with 101 tackles and 11 tackles for loss during the 2014 season. He continued his strong play in 2015, earning Second-team All-SEC honors after posting 105 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. His senior season in 2016 was cut short by a shoulder injury, limiting him to four starts, after which he declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin Career
Early Career (2017-2019)
The Detroit Lions selected Reeves-Maybin in the fourth round, 124th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the 11th linebacker taken that year and the second linebacker drafted by the Lions behind first-rounder Jarrad Davis. He signed a four-year, $3.01 million contract and earned the backup weakside linebacker role behind Tahir Whitehead during training camp. He made his professional debut in the Lions’ season-opening victory over the Arizona Cardinals and finished his rookie season with 30 combined tackles and a half-sack in 14 games.
In 2018, Reeves-Maybin appeared in nine games before a toe and neck injury landed him on injured reserve in December. He bounced back in 2019 by playing all 16 games and recording 37 total tackles along with one forced fumble, showing the durability that would define his career. His rookie contract lapsed after the 2020 season, in which he appeared in all 16 games and recorded 10 total tackles while remaining a core member of Detroit’s special teams units.
Detroit Lions Second Stint (2023-2024)
After a one-year stint with the Houston Texans in 2022, Reeves-Maybin returned to the Detroit Lions on a one-year deal in March 2023. He quickly became a key special teams contributor, highlighted by a four-tackle performance in a Week 13 win over the New Orleans Saints that earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys, he completed a 31-yard fake punt pass to Khalil Dorsey to keep a Lions drive alive, and on January 3, 2024, he was announced as an invitee to the 2024 Pro Bowl.
Voted as the NFC’s sole special teams representative, Reeves-Maybin earned his first career Pro Bowl selection and was also named Second-team All-Pro for 2023. On February 26, 2024, he signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension to remain in Detroit. In 2024, he appeared in ten games while maintaining roles on both defense and special teams.
Chicago Bears Era (2025)
On March 12, 2025, the Detroit Lions released Reeves-Maybin to create salary cap space. He later signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad on November 18, 2025, and was promoted to the active roster on January 13, 2026. He appeared in three regular season games and two playoff games for the Bears during the 2025 season, continuing his role as a special teams contributor and reserve linebacker.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although Reeves-Maybin’s style is rooted in linebacker fundamentals rather than racing craft, his strengths on the field mirror the precision of a top-tier competitor. He excels at diagnosing plays quickly, delivering sure open-field tackles, and executing on special teams assignments such as fake punt conversions and punt coverage. His consistency, football intelligence, and leadership have allowed him to thrive in both rotational defensive roles and high-leverage special teams moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Reeves-Maybin’s career are his first career sack shared with D. J. Hayden on Jameis Winston in 2017 and his game-sealing fumble recovery against rival South Carolina in 2015. He also set a career high with 21 tackles against 19th-ranked Oklahoma during his junior season at Tennessee. In the NFL, his 31-yard fake punt pass against Dallas in 2023 and his first Pro Bowl invitation stand as defining milestones.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin Career Wins
Reeves-Maybin has accumulated 223 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 8 pass deflections across his NFL career through the 2025 season. While he has not been credited with race victories in the traditional sense, his on-field achievements include All-State honors, Second-team All-SEC recognition, a Pro Bowl selection, and Second-team All-Pro accolades.
College and Pro Highlights
At the University of Tennessee, Reeves-Maybin earned Second-team All-SEC honors in 2015 after leading the Volunteers in tackles for loss and ranking near the top of the conference in tackles per game. He closed his college career with standout performances in the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl and the 2016 Outback Bowl, recording double-digit tackles in each. In the NFL, his first Pro Bowl selection in 2023 and his role on NFC Special Teams Player of the Week that same season rank among his top professional accomplishments.
Other Performances
Reeves-Maybin posted 82 total tackles, 4 passes defensed, and 2 forced fumbles during the 2021 season with the Lions, his most productive defensive year to date. He appeared in all 17 games for the Houston Texans in 2022 in a special teams capacity, demonstrating his value as a core coverage player. Across multiple teams and roles, he has continued to deliver consistent production and team-first play.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Reeves-Maybin comes from a family with deep ties to athletics rather than racing. His father, Marques Maybin, was a shooting guard for the Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball team from 1997 to 2001. His cousin, Cameron Maybin, played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball, adding to the family’s professional sports legacy. His mother, LaDawn Reeves, raised him in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Personal Life
On March 16, 2024, Reeves-Maybin was elected to a two-year term as president of the NFL Players Association, taking on a major leadership role among his peers. He was re-elected for a second two-year term on March 15, 2026, underscoring the trust placed in him by fellow players. Off the field, he has been active in player advocacy and remains connected to his hometown community in Clarksville.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Reeves-Maybin still under contract with the Detroit Lions before his March 12 release created salary cap room for the team. He spent the early portion of the year as a free agent before joining the Chicago Bears’ practice squad on November 18, 2025. After being elevated to the active roster on January 13, 2026, he contributed on special teams and defense during the Bears’ late-season push and playoff run.
Although his regular season playing time was limited, his presence in three games and two playoff contests provided the Bears with veteran leadership and reliable special teams play. His continued durability and team-first approach remained central to his role. Looking ahead, Reeves-Maybin’s re-election as NFLPA president in March 2026 signals that his influence in professional football extends well beyond the playing field.
