Tag: Jaylen McCollough

Former Vols combine for four tackles in Rams’ playoff loss to Eagles

Two former Vols compete for the Rams in playoff loss at Philadelphia.

Philadelphia defeated Los Angeles, 28-22, Sunday in the AFC divisional round. The NFL playoff game was contested at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Two former Vols competed for the Rams against Philadelphia.

Los Angeles safety Jaylen McCollough totaled two tackles, one tackle for a loss, one sack and one quarterback hit. Linebacker Byron Young recorded  two tackles for the Rams.

McCollough played at Tennessee from 2019-23 under head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel. He appeared in 60 games and made a school-record 51 starts.

Young played for the Vols from 2021-22 under Heupel after transferring from Georgia Military College. The former Vol was an All-SEC standout in 2022.

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Former Vols combine for 10 tackles in Rams’ playoff win against Vikings

Two former Vols combine for 10 tackles in Los Angeles’ NFL playoff win against the Vikings.

Los Angeles (11-7) defeated Minnesota (14-4), 27-9, in a NFL playoff wild card game on Monday. The game was contested at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Two former Vols competed for the Rams against Minnesota.

Los Angeles linebacker Byron Young totaled four tackles, two tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hits. Safety Jaylen McCollough recorded six tackles in the Rams’ win.

Young played at Tennessee from 2021-22 under head coach Josh Heupel after transferring from Georgia Military College. The former Vol was an All-SEC standout in 2022.

McCollough played for the Vols from 2019-23 for Heupel and Jeremy Pruitt. He appeared in 60 games and made a school-record 51 starts.

PHOTOS: Byron Young through the years

Byron Young (0). Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

Rams DB Jaylen McCollough may be the best undrafted rookie of 2024

Jaylen McCollough has gone from undrafted free agent to standout defender for the 9-6 Rams

Versatile, lanky, and aggressive, Jaylen McCollough cut his teeth playing football down south, and the animalistic culture surrounding SEC football has bred some of the best defensive backs in the NFL.

But it’s deeper than that. It’s a football identity formed on the harsh gridirons in McCollough’s native Georgia – a high school recruiting hotbed that McCollough’s play earned him a four-star ranking and an eventual scholarship.

While he fell through the cracks in the pre-draft process, McCollough brings those experiences and mentality front and center when he shines as the Rams’ newest defensive star. The undrafted free agent out of Tennessee surprised many during training camp and after a strong preseason, McCollough has been an irreplaceable part of the Rams’ defense.

Like another safety from the south, Derwin James, McCullough has been asked to play various roles that have carved out a unique position for him. He’ll fluctuate between getting close to the line of scrimmage and dropping deep, he’s an excellent tackler and has been used to plug the run. He’s often assigned to the running back, displaying excellent discipline to not get faked out on play actions and wheel routes.

On Sunday, McCollough put in a season-high nine tackles against the Jets but none of those were as crucial as his coverage on Breece Hall in the endzone. McCollough’s discipline and technique forced Aaron Rodgers to throw an uncatchable ball at the end of the first half. The Jets settled for three points to it would be their last score of the game. That play served as a crucial turning point in the Rams’ 19-9 victory and now the team is one step closer to clinching the NFC West.

McCollough is also tied for ninth in the league with four interceptions, with his ball skills dissuading teams from throwing his way. McCollough’s interceptions have played a pivotal role as his two against Las Vegas kickstarted the Rams’ recent run of success and his pick against Seattle disrupted their offensive strategy to the point of ineffectiveness.

Thanks to one undrafted rookie signing, the Rams have their safety for the future. A gem waiting to be discovered, McCollough is not only one of the best undrafted free agents of 2024, he’s one of the best players in the entire draft class period.

Rams rookie Jaylen McCollough’s coverage stats this season are crazy good

Jaylen McCollough has yet to allow a completion in coverage this season, picking off four passes and allowing a 0.0 passer rating

Jared Verse and Braden Fiske have gotten a lot of attention this season for being the standout players of the Los Angeles Rams’ 2024 draft class, but one of their most impactful rookies wasn’t even drafted.

Safety Jaylen McCollough, who signed as an undrafted rookie out of Tennessee, has been a spark on defense despite playing limited snaps. Remarkably, he leads the team with four interceptions in only 110 defensive snaps.

He’s helped fill in with John Johnson and Kam Curl banged up, also contributing as a dime defender when the Rams get six defensive backs on the field. His play has made many people wonder how he went undrafted, showing he deserved to be selected at some point in April.

The Rams shared some stats from his rookie year and they’re unbelievably good. In 69 coverage snaps, he has yet to allow a single reception. He has more pick-sixes than he has receptions allowed and he’s given up a 0.0 passer rating in coverage.

It’s a small sample size as a part-time player, but McCollough is making Les Snead and the Rams look brilliant for signing him after the draft ended.

Johnson will be back at some point this season and Curl will still be a starter alongside Quentin Lake, but the Rams will have to find ways to get McCollough on the field. His play has been too good to keep on the bench.

Jaylen McCollough perfectly predicted his two INTs in a pre-game chat with Cooper Kupp

Jaylen McCollough called his two-interception game Sunday in a chat with Cooper Kupp before kickoff

Jaylen McCollough may not be a household name but he’s been one of the Rams’ most impactful defenders in the last two games. He had a pick-six against the Packers in Week 5 and on Sunday, he and Cooper Kupp both had a feeling another interception was coming against the Raiders.

McCollough told Gary Klein of the LA Times after Sunday’s win that in his pre-game conversation with Kupp, he told the Rams star he was going to have not one, but two interceptions. And that he did.

“You got another one for me?” McCollough recalled Kupp asking him before the game.

“Nah, bro. I got two,” he replied. “It was crazy because, like, I ended up with two.”

McCollough’s first interception of the game came with 8:35 left in the third quarter. He was in perfect position after the ball went off the receiver and landed in his lap for an easy pick. Two plays later, the Rams were in the end zone with a 20-6 lead.

His second also came at an opportune time during the Raiders’ final drive of the afternoon. It was a desperation heave by Gardner Minshew down the field on third down and McCollough tracked the ball for his second interception of the game.

Sean McVay gave McCollough a game ball in the locker room after the victory, crediting him for the impact he had on defense. The undrafted rookie out of Tennessee has carved out a nice role for himself in the secondary and it should continue to grow as he gets even more comfortable.

Maybe on Thursday night he’ll tell Kupp three more picks are coming against Sam Darnold.

Watch: Jaylen McCollough scores pick-6 on unbelievably bad throw by Jordan Love

Jaylen McCollough took full advantage of a hilariously bad throw by Jordan Love from his own end zone

Every now and then, a touchdown just falls into your lap. Jaylen McCollough learned that on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in what’s just his fifth NFL game ever.

Late in the second quarter, Byron Young pressured Jordan Love and had a free run at the quarterback, laying a hit on him in his own end zone. Except, Love didn’t go down and decided to chuck the ball downfield in an attempt to avoid a safety.

The ball floated into McCollough’s hands at the 4-yard line and he avoided a tackle before slipping into the end zone for a touchdown. It was the easiest pick-six of his life and gave the Rams a 13-7 lead over the Packers.

Here’s another angle of the wild play.

Five undrafted rookies made Rams’ 53-man roster, all on defense

The Rams kept five undrafted rookies on their 53-man roster, all of them on defense

With how many late-round picks and undrafted rookies have made the Los Angeles Rams’ roster over the last seven years, it’s clear that Sean McVay and Les Snead aren’t afraid to bet on lesser-known players. That’s the case again this year.

As the Rams were going through final roster cuts before Tuesday’s deadline, they decided to keep five undrafted rookies. That’s a high number for any team, particularly one with as much talent as the Rams.

The five undrafted rookies who made the 53-man roster are all on defense, too.

  • LB Omar Speights
  • LB Elias Neal
  • CB Josh Wallace
  • CB Charles Woods
  • CB Jaylen McCollough

Speights, Wallace, Woods and McCollough all seemed likely to make the team after they were held out of the third preseason game, but Neal’s inclusion comes as a big surprise. Perhaps he made the team after the Rams decided to trade Ernest Jones to the Titans, which opened up a roster spot. Regardless, he earned a spot on the roster with a strong preseason.

In addition to the five undrafted rookies, the Rams kept nine of their 10 drafted rookies on the 53-man roster. The only exception is seventh-rounder KT Leveston, who was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return.

Jaylen McCollough is a sleeper to make Rams’ roster entering preseason finale

Jaylen McCollough could secure a spot on the Rams’ 53-man roster with a strong showing on Saturday

Undrafted rookie Jaylen McCollough has had himself a special preseason so far. He’s shined in his two appearances for the Rams, recording five solo tackles, two pass deflections and an interception.

When talking about McCollough’s performance against the Chargers, Sean McVay had high praise for the rookie defensive back.

“I think I’m just not surprised anymore. He’s consistent. He’s a man, got a great demeanor,” McVay said. “I think we’ve got some really impressive young rookies that – I think the best way I can describe it, they’re men. They’ve got a mature, grown demeanor. There’s an ability to communicate with them because of the way they understand this game and some of the things that we’re asking within the scheme. He plays with a physical toughness. He’s got a mental toughness. I’m a big fan of Jaylen McCollough and it only continues to grow just by the way he handles himself. You guys have heard me talk about feeling certain defensive players when you’re out there. You feel him and he’s continued to show up. I was happy for him. He’d better have made that pick though, right? I mean, come on. That’s more on the tip there, but he’s done a lot of good stuff. The pick wasn’t the most impressive thing he did last night by any stretch. I’d crush him if he didn’t catch that one.”

With a public backing from his head coach, combined with needs in the DB room, a strong performance against the Texans in the preseason finale could guarantee at least a practice squad spot. But an outstanding game could propel McCollough onto the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie – an accomplishment worth applauding.

Watch: Rams rookie Jaylen McCollough makes diving interception vs. Chargers

Jaylen McCollough making a strong case for a spot on the Rams’ roster

Jaylen McCollough was a standout player for the Rams in last week’s preseason opener and he picked up right where he left off on Saturday against the Chargers. In the second quarter of a 3-3 game, McCollough came down with his first career interception, picking off Easton Stick on a pass that was tipped by Chargers receiver Simi Fehoko.

It was a great job by McCollough to concentrate and make an adjustment when the ball was in the air, diving to secure it for a key turnover when the Chargers were driving. The undrafted rookie is making a strong case for the 53-man roster with the way he’s played this preseason.

Jaylen McCollough breaks Tennessee career record for starts

Jaylen McCollough breaks Tennessee career record for starts.

No. 23 Tennessee (9-4, 4-4 SEC) defeated No. 17 Iowa (10-4, 7-2 Big Ten), 35-0, Monday in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Senior defensive back Jaylen McCollough made his 51st career start in Tennessee’s win against Iowa. That sets Tennessee’s career record for starts, passing defensive back Jonathan Hefney, who started 50 games for the Vols from 2004-07.

The 6-foot, 206-pound McCollough recorded four tackles and one pass deflection against the Hawkeyes.

“We are proud of him,” Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks said of McCollough ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. “I think it says a lot about him as a man and his durability and being able to fight through some bumps and bruises. We are excited for him. Not only has he been a tremendous player on the field, but, definitely, a great locker room teammate and a guy that we have enjoyed coaching through this ride.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Iowa in 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire