Rayshawn Jenkins Bio
Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins (born January 25, 1994) is an American professional football safety for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Miami and was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Jenkins has established himself as a versatile safety throughout his career, demonstrating his ability to perform in key games and contribute on defense and special teams.
Across multiple stops in the NFL, Jenkins has built a reputation as a dependable defender with a knack for timely interceptions and big plays. He has continued to add to his professional resume into 2025 with a new chapter in Cleveland, where he brings veteran experience to a Browns secondary.
Early Life and Background
Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins was born on January 25, 1994, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He grew up in the same coastal city and attended Admiral Farragut Academy, a private college-preparatory school known for combining academics with athletics. While at Admiral Farragut, Jenkins developed the physical tools and fundamentals that would eventually translate to the next level of football.
Jenkins came from a supportive environment that encouraged athletic development, and his early exposure to organized football in Florida, a state rich in high school football tradition, helped him gain attention from college recruiters. He balanced his high school responsibilities with training, eventually emerging as a collegiate prospect at the safety position.
Path to American Football
After completing his prep career at Admiral Farragut Academy, Jenkins committed to the University of Miami, where he played college football from 2012 through 2016. At Miami, he continued to grow as a defensive back, working through the Hurricanes’ program and developing the coverage and tackling skills that NFL scouts look for in a modern safety.
On December 5, 2016, it was announced that Jenkins had accepted his invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl. During Senior Bowl practices, he got into a physical altercation with Grambling State wide receiver Chad Williams, prompting South team coach Hue Jackson to end practice and caution both players about the impact on their draft stock. On January 28, 2017, Jenkins recorded two combined tackles and helped the South defeat the North 16–15.
Jenkins was one of 60 defensive backs at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he finished ninth in the broad jump and 22nd among all defensive backs in the 40-yard dash. He also attended Miami’s pro day on March 29, 2017, performing only the short shuttle, three-cone drill, and positional drills. Heading into the draft, Jenkins was projected as a third-to-fifth-round pick and was ranked the fifth-best free safety by NFLDraftScout.com.
Rayshawn Jenkins Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Jenkins in the fourth round (113th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft, making him the 14th safety drafted that year. On May 17, 2017, the Chargers signed him to a four-year, $3.06 million contract that included a $662,209 signing bonus. He competed for snaps at safety against players including Dwight Lowery, Tre Boston, Darrell Stuckey, Dexter McCoil, and Adrian Phillips during training camp, ultimately entering the season as the third strong safety behind Jahleel Addae and Adrian Phillips.
Jenkins made his professional regular-season debut on September 10, 2017, on special teams in a 24–21 loss at the Denver Broncos. On September 24, 2017, he recorded his first career tackle on Akeem Hunt during a kick return in a 24–10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished his rookie season with 13 combined tackles (10 solo) and a pass deflection in 15 games and zero starts. In 2018, Jenkins appeared in 15 games with one start, totaling 23 combined tackles and a half-sack.
Los Angeles Chargers Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Following the release of Jahleel Addae during the 2019 offseason, head coach Anthony Lynn named Jenkins the starting free safety to begin the season after Derwin James and Nassir Adderley sustained injuries. In Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, Jenkins recorded his first career interception off Matthew Stafford. He finished 2019 leading the team in defensive snaps, recording 54 tackles, four passes defensed, and a team-leading three interceptions through 16 starts. The Chargers finished second in the AFC West with a 12–4 record and earned a Wild Card spot, with Jenkins starting in the postseason and making tackles against both the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots.
In Week 3 of the 2020 season, Jenkins recorded his first career full sack on Teddy Bridgewater during a 21–16 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Over his four-year stint with the Chargers (2017–2020), he grew from a special-teams contributor into a full-time starter and postseason player.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2021–2023)
On March 17, 2021, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Jenkins to a four-year, $35 million contract that included $16 million guaranteed and an $8 million signing bonus. He entered the 2021 season as the Jaguars’ starting free safety and recorded 73 tackles and three passes defensed through 14 starts before a broken ankle in Week 15 landed him on injured reserve and ended his season.
Jenkins played a pivotal role in Jacksonville’s 2022 AFC South title run. In Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys, he recorded a team-high 18 combined tackles and intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown in overtime to seal the win. In a Week 18 win-and-in game against the Tennessee Titans, Jenkins forced a fumble while sacking Joshua Dobbs, and teammate Josh Allen returned the loose ball for a touchdown that proved decisive in a 20–16 victory and the division clincher. On March 5, 2024, Jenkins was released by the Jaguars.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024)
On March 13, 2024, the Seattle Seahawks signed Jenkins to a two-year, $12.00 million contract that included $6.26 million guaranteed and a $5.00 million signing bonus. In Week 5 against the New York Giants, he recorded a 102-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Jenkins was placed on injured reserve on October 16, 2024, and activated on November 23. On March 4, 2025, he was released by the Seahawks.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On May 12, 2025, Jenkins signed with the Cleveland Browns, beginning a new chapter of his NFL career. He joined a Cleveland secondary in need of veteran leadership and immediately added experience and depth to the safety room. Through the early portion of the 2025 season, Jenkins continued to contribute on defense and special teams as he works to carve out a role with the Browns.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jenkins is known for his versatility at the safety position, comfortable lining up deep in coverage, playing in the box against the run, and contributing on special teams. His experience in multiple defensive schemes, ranging from Gus Bradley’s defense in Los Angeles to the Jaguars’ and Seahawks’ systems, has given him a strong football IQ. He is also a reliable tackler and has shown a nose for the football, evidenced by his career totals in interceptions and forced fumbles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Jenkins’ most memorable career moments are his 102-yard fumble return touchdown for the Seahawks against the New York Giants in 2024 and his overtime pick-six against the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 that helped push the Jaguars toward the AFC South title. His first career interception came off Matthew Stafford in 2019, and his first career full sack came against Teddy Bridgewater in 2020.
Rayshawn Jenkins Career Wins
Through the early portion of the 2025 NFL season, Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins has built a well-rounded resume as a starting-caliber safety, with steady production in tackles, interceptions, and big plays. While wins are a team statistic, his individual contributions have been a recurring factor in close games for the Chargers, Jaguars, Seahawks, and now the Browns.
NFL Highlights
Jenkins’ most prominent individual highlight came in the 2022 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he helped power a late-season run to the AFC South title. In Week 15 of 2022, he tallied 18 combined tackles and two interceptions, returning one for an overtime-winning touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. In Week 18 of that same season, he forced a critical fumble on a sack of Joshua Dobbs that was returned for the go-ahead touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, clinching the division.
Earlier, with the Los Angeles Chargers, Jenkins earned a starting role by 2019 and finished that season with three interceptions and 54 tackles while leading the team in defensive snaps. He also started in the Chargers’ 2018 AFC Wild Card victory at the Baltimore Ravens and the Divisional Round loss at the New England Patriots. In 2024 with Seattle, his 102-yard fumble return touchdown against the New York Giants was a season highlight.
Other Wins and Performances
Jenkins has notched a number of additional career achievements, including his first career interception off Matthew Stafford in 2019, his first full sack on Teddy Bridgewater in 2020, and his first career start as a nickelback in 2018. He has also been a reliable contributor on special teams throughout his career, including a season-high two solo tackles on special teams as a rookie in 2017 against the Denver Broncos.
Rayshawn Jenkins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins was raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, and attended Admiral Farragut Academy in the same city. Specific details about his parents and siblings are not publicly confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Jenkins maintains an active presence on social media, including his Instagram account. He has continued his NFL career into his early 30s and now plays for the Cleveland Browns.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marks a new beginning for Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins, who signed with the Cleveland Browns on May 12, 2025, after being released by the Seattle Seahawks on March 4, 2025. Jenkins joined a Cleveland defense in transition, bringing veteran experience to a secondary that has long valued versatile safeties. His ability to play deep, in the box, and on special teams has made him a useful depth piece and a potential starter depending on the Browns’ weekly defensive looks.
As the season has progressed, Jenkins has continued to log defensive snaps while also contributing on special teams, where he has built a reliable reputation across his career. The Browns’ defensive staff has leaned on his familiarity with multiple schemes, including those run by his previous teams in Los Angeles, Jacksonville, and Seattle, to help stabilize communication in the secondary.
Looking ahead, Jenkins’ role in Cleveland will likely center on providing experienced depth, mentoring younger defensive backs, and stepping into a larger role when called upon. With his contract reported at $12,000,000 for 2025, the Browns have made a notable investment in his services, signaling that they expect him to be a meaningful contributor to the team’s defensive plans this season and beyond.
