Jordan Machai Magee Bio
Jordan Machai Magee (born March 24, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 225 pounds, Magee plays the linebacker position wearing jersey number 58 for the Washington Commanders. He played college football for the Temple Owls and was selected by the Commanders in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Machai Magee was born on March 24, 2001, in Towson, Maryland, and later moved to Dover, Delaware, where he grew up. He attended Dover High School, where he played both football and basketball, lining up at quarterback and safety on the football field. As a senior, he helped Dover post a 9–2 record while throwing for 1,208 yards and 18 touchdowns, earning first-team all-conference and second-team all-state honors as the team reached the Delaware playoff semifinals.
Magee was rated as a 2-star recruit and listed as a positionless athlete during his high school recruitment, although he later recognized that he would likely find his best fit in college as a linebacker or safety. He committed to Temple to play college football, choosing the program over scholarship offers from Delaware State and Morgan State. His multi-sport high school background helped shape the versatility that would later define his defensive profile.
Path to American Football
After finishing high school, Jordan Machai Magee enrolled at Temple, where he joined the Owls football program as a developmental prospect with positional flexibility. His path to a starting role was gradual, beginning with limited special teams appearances as a true freshman in 2019, when he redshirted while appearing in four games. The experience allowed him to adjust to the speed of the college game and add size to his frame.
By his second season in 2020, Magee had grown into a regular rotation player, recording 15 tackles across five games. Early in the 2021 season, he earned a starting linebacker role with the Temple Owls and produced 54 tackles along with three passes defended, signaling his emergence as a defensive leader. His steady climb from redshirt freshman to full-time starter set the stage for national recognition in his final two college seasons.
Jordan Machai Magee Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Jordan Machai Magee’s early college career at Temple was defined by patience and steady development within the Owls defense. After redshirting in 2019 and playing a reserve role in the shortened 2020 season, he broke into the starting lineup early in 2021. That year he recorded 54 tackles and three passes defended, establishing himself as a reliable run-defending linebacker.
His production in 2021 helped Temple stabilize the second level of its defense and gave the coaching staff confidence to build around him as a centerpiece. The experience of handling full-time starting duties prepared Magee for the larger workload that would follow in his junior and senior campaigns.
Temple Owls Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In 2022, Jordan Machai Magee produced a breakout junior season for the Temple Owls, recording a team-leading 86 tackles to go with 9.0 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks. His tackle total ranked 10th in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), and he was selected as an honorable mention All-AAC performer for his play. The season established him as one of the most productive linebackers in the conference.
Magee’s senior campaign in 2023 further elevated his profile, as he posted 80 tackles that ranked eighth in the AAC and led Temple. He also finished third in the conference in tackles-for-loss with 14, earning second-team All-AAC recognition. He concluded his collegiate career with 235 tackles, eight sacks, one interception, 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries across his time with the Owls.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–Present)
Jordan Machai Magee was selected by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round, 139th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 10, 2024, beginning his professional career with the franchise. His selection extended his journey from a 2-star high school recruit to an NFL draft pick in the space of five college seasons.
Magee injured his knee during a preseason game against the New York Jets and was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, after undergoing a minor procedure to repair it. He returned to the active roster on October 23, 2024, and finished his rookie campaign with 63 tackles and one pass deflection, according to career statistics recorded as of 2025. His first NFL season showed the tackling reliability that defined his college resume, even though it was interrupted by injury.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jordan Machai Magee built his reputation on physical run defense and the ability to play multiple spots in the second level of a defense. His track record of leading Temple in tackles in consecutive seasons demonstrated a strong football IQ, dependable open-field tackling, and the discipline to maintain gap assignments. The Commanders’ defensive scheme gives him room to attack downhill against the run while using his size and instincts in coverage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments in Jordan Machai Magee’s career is his selection in the 2024 NFL draft after climbing from a 2-star recruit to a fifth-round pick. His second-team All-AAC recognition in 2023, combined with a 235-tackle career at Temple, underscored his consistency. Recovering from a knee injury to return midseason and post 63 tackles as a rookie stands as an early professional milestone.
Jordan Machai Magee Career Wins
Jordan Machai Magee’s career is best measured by his production and individual accolades rather than head-to-head matchups, as linebacker statistics are typically tracked through tackles, sacks, and conference honors. Across his college career at Temple, he earned second-team All-AAC honors in 2023 and honorable mention All-AAC in 2022, reflecting sustained excellence. In the NFL, his rookie totals of 63 tackles and one pass deflection established a foundation for continued growth with the Washington Commanders.
Washington Commanders Highlights
As a rookie with the Washington Commanders in 2024, Jordan Machai Magee recorded 63 tackles and one pass deflection, per career statistics through 2025. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 10, 2024, and returned from injured reserve on October 23, 2024, to play the bulk of the regular season. His first NFL training camp and preseason work with the New York Jets provided his initial exposure to professional football before his knee injury.
Jordan Machai Magee Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jordan Machai Magee was raised in Dover, Delaware, after being born in Towson, Maryland, with limited public information available about his parents or extended family. His upbringing in a multi-sport high school environment in Dover helped shape his athletic foundation. Details about additional family members involved in football have not been publicly confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Jordan Machai Magee is currently focused on his early professional career with the Washington Commanders, and public information about a spouse or children has not been disclosed in available sources. He came to the NFL after a five-year college career at Temple that began in 2019. His residence has not been publicly confirmed beyond his professional ties to the Washington Commanders organization.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Jordan Machai Magee is positioned to build on a rookie year in which he posted 63 tackles and one pass deflection for the Washington Commanders. A full offseason of development after returning from injured reserve in late 2024 should help him compete for an expanded role in the linebacker rotation. His consistent production at Temple suggests he can be a tackling anchor in the team’s defensive game plan.
Magee’s ability to play run-first linebacker spots and contribute in coverage will be central to the Commanders’ defensive outlook in 2025. With his rookie contract running through 2028, the franchise has a long runway to evaluate his development. Continued growth in tackling efficiency and situational pass defense would mark a strong second professional season.
