Jaray Jenkins Bio
Jaray Jenkins is an American professional football wide receiver who plays in the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 4, 2000, in Jena, Louisiana, Jenkins rose from a small-town high school standout to a multi-year contributor at Louisiana State University (LSU) before pursuing a professional career. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent and later joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 206 pounds, Jenkins brings a balanced frame to the wide receiver position.
Known for his reliable hands and ability to contribute on offense, Jenkins put together productive seasons at LSU and has continued to pursue a roster spot at the professional level. His path from Jena High School through the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to the NFL reflects steady perseverance, particularly given the injury setbacks he faced along the way. Today, he remains active in professional football as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization.
Early Life and Background
Jaray Jenkins grew up in Jena, Louisiana, a small community where football is a central part of local life. He attended Jena High School, where he developed into a reliable two-way playmaker on offense. Across his high school career, Jenkins recorded 111 receptions for 1,960 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns. He also contributed on the ground, adding 448 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, demonstrating the versatility and athleticism that would later attract college scouts.
His senior season, however, was interrupted by a fractured tibia, an injury that forced him to miss the year and reshaped the timeline of his recruitment. Despite the setback, Jenkins continued to attract attention from college programs. On March 13, 2017, he officially committed to play college football at Louisiana State University, one of the most storied programs in college football. That commitment marked a significant step from small-town Louisiana to a national stage.
Path to American Football
Jenkins’s journey to professional American football began with his standout production at Jena High School, where his combination of size, speed, and hands made him one of the more productive receivers in the region. Even with his senior season cut short by injury, his earlier statistical resume was strong enough to earn a scholarship offer from LSU. The Tigers, competing in the Southeastern Conference, offered Jenkins the opportunity to face elite-level competition week in and week out.
His development at LSU allowed him to refine his route-running, blocking, and pass-catching technique against top-tier defensive backs. Following the 2022 college season, Jenkins declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on December 12, 2022. Although he went undrafted, his college production kept his professional prospects alive, leading to his first NFL opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jaray Jenkins Career
Early Career at LSU (2019–2022)
During his four seasons with the LSU Tigers, Jenkins developed into a consistent target in the passing game. Over his college career, he recorded 89 receptions for 1,370 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. His role expanded each season as he earned more snaps and trust from the coaching staff, and he became a dependable intermediate and red-zone option in the LSU offense.
Jenkins’s strongest campaign came in 2021, when he posted 34 receptions for 502 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. His impact that season peaked on November 27, 2021, in a thrilling finish against the Texas A&M Aggies. In that game, he caught 8 passes for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 20 seconds remaining to upset the No. 15 Aggies in what was also the final home game for head coach Ed Orgeron.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2023)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jaray Jenkins signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. The agreement gave him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot and begin his professional career in the AFC South. Jenkins worked through the Jaguars’ offseason program and training camp as he looked to make an impression on the coaching staff.
Unfortunately, his time in Jacksonville was disrupted by injury. On August 29, 2023, Jenkins was waived and placed on injured reserve. Shortly afterward, on September 4, he was released by the team, ending his brief stint with the Jaguars.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)
On June 3, 2024, Jenkins signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He entered a competitive wide receiver room and looked to earn a roster role through training camp and the preseason. On August 27, 2024, he was waived by the team as part of roster cutdowns but was later re-signed to the practice squad, allowing him to remain within the organization.
Jenkins continued to work on the Steelers’ practice squad before being released on October 14, 2024. Even after that release, his connection to the organization and his prior production left the door open for future opportunities at the professional level.
Jaray Jenkins Career Stats
At the high school level, Jaray Jenkins recorded 111 receptions for 1,960 yards and 27 receiving touchdowns, along with 448 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. Across his four seasons at LSU (2019–2022), he totaled 89 receptions for 1,370 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. His most productive college season came in 2021, when he finished with 34 receptions for 502 yards and 6 touchdowns.
College Highlights
Jenkins’s signature college moment came in the 2021 upset of No. 15 Texas A&M, when he delivered an 8-catch, 169-yard, 2-touchdown performance capped by a game-winning reception in the final seconds. That performance stood as one of the defining highlights of his LSU career and underscored his big-play capability on a national stage.
Jaray Jenkins Personal Life
Jaray Jenkins was raised in Jena, Louisiana, the community that shaped his early football career. His path from a small-town high school to LSU and the NFL reflects a family and regional support system rooted in Southern football culture.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 season, Jaray Jenkins continues to pursue his professional football career after spending time with both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pittsburgh Steelers. His experience within the Steelers organization, including a stint on the practice squad in 2024, keeps him well positioned for another opportunity at the NFL level. With his size, SEC-level production, and proven ability to make contested catches, Jenkins remains an attractive option for teams seeking wide receiver depth.
Throughout the 2025 offseason, Jenkins is expected to continue training and pursuing a roster opportunity, whether back in Pittsburgh or with another NFL franchise. His combination of college statistics, special-teams potential, and familiarity with professional schemes should give him a clear path toward another chance to compete for an active roster spot.