John Jiles Bio
John Jiles, born on July 8, 2000, is an American professional football wide receiver. Standing 6 ft 3 in and weighing around 220 lb, he is listed on the New England Patriots roster after navigating a non-traditional path through junior college and multiple Division II programs. After going undrafted in 2024, he has built his early professional resume on practice squad contracts and reserve/futures deals.
Jiles is best known for his productive 2023 season at the University of West Florida, where he earned Division II All-American honors. His journey from Wake Forest High School through Fort Scott Community College, Virginia Union, and West Florida, and into the NFL, highlights a player who steadily climbed the football ladder despite early academic setbacks.
Early Life and Background
John Jiles was born and raised in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he attended Wake Forest High School. He came out of high school rated as a three-star recruit, a mark that reflected his physical tools and on-field production at the prep level. At Wake Forest High School, he was a key contributor on the football team, helping the program capture back-to-back North Carolina 4AA state championships in 2016 and 2017.
Following his senior season, Jiles originally committed to play college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. He did not meet the academic requirements to enroll at Marshall, a setback that rerouted his career path. Instead of giving up his football ambitions, he signed with Fort Scott Community College, a junior college program in Kansas, to continue developing as a wide receiver and reestablish his academic standing.
Path to Professional Football
Jiles used his time at Fort Scott Community College to post impressive numbers, totaling 95 receptions for 1,543 yards and 12 touchdowns across his first two college seasons. Those statistics drew attention from four-year programs, and he entered the NCAA transfer portal to elevate his level of competition. His path to the NFL would run through smaller college programs rather than a top-tier conference, but his production remained consistent at every stop.
After Fort Scott, Jiles transferred to Virginia Union, an HBCU competing at the Division II level. In his lone season there, he recorded 40 receptions for 627 yards and nine touchdowns, again proving himself as a reliable target. Following the 2022 season, he entered the transfer portal once more and joined the West Florida Argonauts, where his 2023 breakout would set the stage for a professional opportunity.
John Jiles Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
John Jiles began his collegiate career at Fort Scott Community College in 2018, where he played for the Fort Scott Greyhounds. Over two seasons, he developed into a featured pass catcher, lining up primarily on the outside and using his 6 ft 3 in frame to win contested throws. His 1,543 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns across those two years established him as one of the more productive receivers at the junior college level.
By the end of his Fort Scott tenure, Jiles had built the statistical resume and physical profile needed to interest four-year programs. His decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal reflected confidence in his development and a desire to test himself at a higher tier of college football. The 2018–2019 stretch laid the foundation for everything that followed in his career.
Virginia Union Era (2020–2022)
Jiles transferred to Virginia Union, where he suited up for the Virginia Union Panthers. During his lone season with the program, he quickly became a focal point of the passing attack, finishing with 40 receptions for 627 yards and nine touchdowns. His size and catch radius made him a frequent target in the red zone, where he capitalized on scoring opportunities.
After the 2022 season concluded, Jiles once again entered the transfer portal, seeking a destination where he could showcase his skills on a larger stage. His production at Virginia Union kept him on the radar of Division II programs, and the transfer search ended with a commitment to the West Florida Argonauts.
West Florida Breakthrough (2023)
Jiles transferred to the University of West Florida to play for the West Florida Argonauts, and his lone season there became the most productive of his college career. He hauled in 66 receptions for 1,255 yards and 16 touchdowns, emerging as one of the top Division II receivers in the country. His statistical leap reflected a polished route tree and improved chemistry with the Argonauts quarterback room.
For his performance in 2023, Jiles was named a Division II All-American, a recognition reserved for the most outstanding players at that level. Following the conclusion of that season, he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, confident that his size, production, and athletic profile would translate to professional football.
New York Giants Era (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, John Jiles signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. The opportunity gave him a chance to compete for a depth role in a wide receiver room that was being reshaped around its top talent. He participated in the team’s offseason program and training camp as he worked to earn a roster spot.
Jiles was waived by the New York Giants on August 25, 2024, as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season. The release did not end his professional chances, as his college production and athletic measurables still held appeal for teams looking to add practice squad talent.
New England Patriots Era (2024–Present)
On September 24, 2024, John Jiles signed to the practice squad of the New England Patriots, giving him a foothold back inside an NFL organization. He remained on the practice squad through the bulk of the season before signing a reserve/futures contract with the Patriots on January 6, 2025, securing his place in the team’s longer-term plans.
On August 26, 2025, Jiles was released by the Patriots as part of final roster cuts. He rejoined the New England practice squad the following day and continued to develop within the organization. On February 11, 2026, he signed another reserve/futures contract with New England, before being released on April 27, 2026.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of John Jiles’ career came in 2023, when he was named a Division II All-American after posting 66 receptions for 1,255 yards and 16 touchdowns with the West Florida Argonauts. Earlier, he had been part of back-to-back North Carolina 4AA state championship teams at Wake Forest High School in 2016 and 2017, the kind of team success that helped shape his competitive foundation. Signing his first NFL contract with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2024 marked his official arrival in professional football.
John Jiles Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about John Jiles’ family background is limited, and no verified details about his parents or siblings are available in the source material. His hometown of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and his formative years at Wake Forest High School remain the most documented elements of his personal history.
2025 Season Performance
John Jiles spent the bulk of the 2025 NFL season on the New England Patriots practice squad, where his role centered on development and providing depth at the wide receiver position. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the Patriots’ final roster cuts, then rejoined the practice squad the next day to remain within the organization.
By staying active on the practice squad, Jiles kept himself in position for a future opportunity, whether through a call-up to the active roster or a reserve/futures deal. His focus throughout 2025 was on refining his craft, learning the Patriots’ offensive system, and being ready whenever his number was called. The season represented another step in his long-term goal of becoming a consistent contributor on an active NFL roster.