Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste Bio
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste, born on May 31, 2001, is an American professional football linebacker currently affiliated with the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 230 pounds, he plays the linebacker position and brings a combination of size, speed, and experience built across multiple college programs. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the Chargers as a free agent and has continued to work within the organization through practice squad and reserve contracts.
Before reaching the professional level, Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste built a reputation as a productive and durable defender at both the high school and college ranks. He is best known for his time with the UCF Knights and the Ole Miss Rebels, where he steadily grew into a starting-caliber linebacker. His journey from Florida City, Florida to the NFL reflects years of consistent development and a determination to keep earning his place on the roster.
Early Life and Background
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste was raised in Florida City, Florida, a small community located in Miami-Dade County. Growing up in South Florida, he was surrounded by a strong football culture that helped shape his early interest in the sport. From a young age, he showed the kind of physical tools and instincts that often translate well to the linebacker position.
He attended South Dade Senior High School in Homestead, Florida, where he quickly became a key contributor on the defense. As a junior, he posted impressive numbers, recording 131 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and five sacks. He also helped lead his team to a regional championship game appearance, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Recruiting services took notice of his production, and 247Sports rated him as the No. 71 inside linebacker in the nation and the No. 213 player in the state of Florida.
Jean-Baptiste was a three-star rated recruit coming out of high school. He received scholarship offers from several programs, including Ole Miss, Buffalo, Georgia Tech, and UMass, but ultimately committed to play college football at the University of Central Florida. His decision to join the Knights marked the beginning of his collegiate career and set the stage for his development as a Division I linebacker.
Path to American Football
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste’s path to professional football began in earnest when he arrived at UCF in 2019. As a true freshman, he played in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker, finishing the season with 12 total tackles, 11 of which were solo, along with two tackles for loss and a pass breakup. The experience gave him valuable exposure to the speed and complexity of the college game.
Over the following seasons at UCF, Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste continued to expand his role. In 2020, he appeared in all 10 games and started two of them, recording 37 total tackles. During the 2021 season, he played in 12 games with five starts and produced 51 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a sack, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. By his senior year in 2022, he had earned a full-time starting role, playing in and starting 10 games while posting 52 total tackles, five tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble. On December 6, 2022, he announced his decision to enter the transfer portal in search of a new opportunity.
Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste spent his first four college seasons with the UCF Knights from 2019 through 2022. During that stretch, he transformed from a reserve defender into a reliable starter, gradually increasing his tackle totals and taking on more responsibility each year. His development at UCF provided the foundation for his later move to a Southeastern Conference program.
By the time he finished his UCF tenure, Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste had appeared in 45 games and made 17 starts, accumulating 152 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, one interception, one sack, and multiple pass breakups and forced fumbles. His decision to enter the transfer portal opened the door for the next chapter of his career at Ole Miss.
Ole Miss Breakthrough (2023)
On December 16, 2022, Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste announced that he would transfer to Ole Miss, joining the Rebels for the 2023 season. The move allowed him to compete in the SEC, widely regarded as the toughest conference in college football, and to test himself against top-tier competition on a weekly basis.
During the 2023 season with the Rebels, Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste appeared in all 13 games and started 10 of them at linebacker. He finished the campaign ranked fifth on the team with 54 total tackles, including 24 solo stops and 30 assisted tackles. He also added 4.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries, demonstrating his ability to contribute both against the run and in passing situations. His strong senior season helped solidify his status as a professional prospect.
On January 2, 2024, Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, closing out his college career with five seasons of experience and a reputation as a tough, versatile linebacker.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
Although Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he did not have to wait long to find an opportunity. On April 27, 2024, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career in the AFC West. The signing gave him a chance to compete for a roster spot and continue his development at the highest level.
His initial stint with the Chargers was brief. On August 27, 2024, Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste was waived as part of final roster cuts, but he quickly returned to the organization when he was re-signed to the practice squad. The move allowed him to remain within the team’s system and continue preparing for a future opportunity. On January 13, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with Los Angeles, securing his place with the franchise for the following offseason. Later, on May 13, 2025, he was waived by the Chargers, marking another transition in his young professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste is recognized for his physicality, tackling consistency, and football intelligence. His college production at both UCF and Ole Miss highlighted his ability to read plays, fill gaps against the run, and contribute in coverage. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and around 230 pounds, he has the frame and athleticism to match up with a variety of offensive players, making him a versatile fit for modern defensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste’s career came during his 2023 season at Ole Miss, when he ranked fifth on the team with 54 tackles while starting 10 games in the SEC. Signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and later earning a reserve/future contract in January 2025 also stand out as key milestones in his professional journey.
Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste’s immediate family background is not widely documented in publicly available sources. Further information about his parents or relatives has not been verified.
Personal Life
Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste has kept much of his personal life private. There is no confirmed public information regarding a spouse, partner, or children. Off the field, he maintains a presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle @_jay11k.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 offseason brought another change for Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste within the Chargers organization. After signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025, he was waived by the team on May 13, 2025. The transaction placed him back into the free agent market as he continued his pursuit of an active roster spot in the NFL.
Throughout his time with the Chargers, Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste has served in a developmental capacity, working primarily through the practice squad and reserve contracts. His path reflects the typical journey of an undrafted linebacker working to break through on a competitive NFL roster. His next opportunity will likely depend on his performance in offseason workouts, training camp, and any subsequent tryouts with teams in need of linebacker depth.
Looking ahead, Jeremiah Arshad Jean-Baptiste remains focused on establishing himself as a consistent presence in professional football. With multiple college seasons of starting experience at both UCF and Ole Miss, along with time inside an NFL organization, he brings a strong résumé for any team evaluating linebacker options during the 2025 season and beyond.