Jaelyn Duncan Bio
Jaelyn Alexander Duncan (born July 8, 2000) is an American professional football offensive tackle. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 305 pounds, Duncan has developed into a steady pass protector since entering the league. He remains an active offensive lineman in the National Football League.
Early Life and Background
Jaelyn Alexander Duncan was born on July 8, 2000, in Silver Spring, Maryland, and grew up in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He attended Northern High School in Owings, Maryland, for three years before transferring to Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, for his senior year. Saint Frances Academy, a program known for producing top college and professional talent, gave him a stronger platform to showcase his size and athleticism on the offensive line.
Duncan was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game in 2018, a recognition reserved for the most highly regarded high school football prospects in the country. His performance at Saint Frances and in the all-star setting drew attention from college recruiters across the country. He ultimately committed to the University of Maryland, College Park, choosing to stay in his home state to play for the Terrapins.
Path to American Football
Duncan joined the Maryland Terrapins football program in 2018 as a highly regarded offensive line recruit. After redshirting his first year, he quickly moved up the depth chart during his redshirt freshman season in 2019, when he took over as the starting left tackle. That early promotion signaled the coaching staff’s confidence in his footwork, length, and ability to handle edge rushers in the Big Ten Conference.
Over the following seasons at Maryland, Duncan continued to refine his technique and grew into a steady presence on the offensive line. He became a regular starter and developed a reputation for dependable play at both tackle and guard positions. By the end of his college career, he had established himself as a reliable NFL prospect ready for the next level.
Jaelyn Duncan Career
Early Career at Maryland (2019–2022)
Duncan became Maryland’s starting left tackle during his redshirt freshman season in 2019, beginning a four-year run as a starter for the Terrapins. As a sophomore in 2020, he started all five of Maryland’s games during a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. He showed consistency in pass protection and continued to develop his run-blocking strength against top-tier Big Ten defensive ends.
As a junior in 2021, Duncan played in all 13 games and made 13 starts, including Maryland’s bowl victory over Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl. He returned to Maryland for his senior season in 2022, finishing his college career as one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the program. In January 2023, he was invited to participate in both the 2023 Senior Bowl and the 2023 NFL Combine, two key showcases for draft-eligible players.
NFL Breakthrough with the Tennessee Titans (2023)
Duncan was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round, 186th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. The Titans added him as a developmental offensive lineman with the expectation that he would compete for a backup role and grow into a long-term contributor. His selection gave him the chance to continue his career in the league after a productive college tenure at Maryland.
As a rookie, Duncan appeared in ten games and started five during the 2023 season. He rotated at offensive tackle, providing depth and showing the kind of versatility that coaches often look for in young linemen. The experience helped him adjust to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023–2025)
Duncan continued his development with the Tennessee Titans in 2024. He appeared in four games at the beginning of the season and earned a starting role before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 7 during a start against the Buffalo Bills. He was placed on injured reserve on October 26, 2024, and was later activated on December 23, 2024. He returned to play one more game in Week 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, finishing the year with three starts.
On August 26, 2025, Duncan was waived by the Titans as part of final roster cuts. He remained a free agent at that point and was available to sign with any team seeking offensive line depth. His release came after a 2024 season in which injuries limited his playing time but did not erase the promise he had shown as a rookie.
Driving Style and Strengths
Duncan is a tall, long offensive tackle whose size and wingspan help him match up with bigger edge rushers. He shows sound footwork in pass protection, the result of four years of starting experience at Maryland, and has demonstrated the ability to play both tackle and guard. His background in a pro-style college system under the Terrapins has also helped him handle complex blocking schemes and varied defensive looks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Duncan’s senior-season selection to the 2023 Senior Bowl and the 2023 NFL Combine marked his arrival as an NFL prospect. Being picked in the 2023 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans confirmed that status. His Week 7 start against the Buffalo Bills in 2024 was a meaningful performance before his hamstring injury cut that stretch short, and his post-injury return in Week 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars showed his resilience.
Jaelyn Duncan Career Highlights
Across his time at Maryland and with the Tennessee Titans, Duncan has built a résumé rooted in durability, versatility, and steady development. He started 13 games for the Terrapins as a junior in 2021, including the Pinstripe Bowl win over Virginia Tech, and appeared in 17 NFL games with eight starts across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Tennessee Titans Highlights
Duncan made his NFL debut in 2023 with the Tennessee Titans and went on to appear in ten games with five starts during his rookie season. He added four early-season appearances and three total starts in 2024 before a hamstring injury interrupted his year. He returned for a Week 17 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, providing a late-season reminder of his role on the offensive line.
Other Performances
Duncan’s 2021 season at Maryland stands out as one of his strongest, with 13 starts and a bowl victory over Virginia Tech. His invitation to the 2023 Senior Bowl and the 2023 NFL Combine also marked him as a top senior offensive line prospect that year.
Jaelyn Duncan Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Duncan grew up in the Silver Spring, Maryland, area and developed his football skills in the local high school system before transferring to Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore. His path through Northern High School and Saint Frances Academy gave him exposure to two strong football environments in Maryland, both of which helped shape his approach to the game.
Personal Life
Public details about Duncan’s personal life, including marital status, are not widely documented. He stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 305 pounds, the kind of frame that has defined his career as an offensive tackle. He continues to be recognized by his full name, Jaelyn Alexander Duncan, across official team and league records.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 NFL season began with Duncan on the Tennessee Titans’ roster before final cuts. On August 26, 2025, he was waived by the Titans as part of those roster decisions, leaving him as a free agent heading into the regular season. His combination of starting experience and positional flexibility made him a candidate to draw interest from teams in need of offensive line depth.
Across his time at Maryland and with the Titans, Duncan has shown he can step into starting roles when called upon, even if injuries have occasionally slowed his momentum. His 2023 rookie season, with ten games played and five starts, demonstrated that he belongs at the NFL level, while his 2024 work before the hamstring injury reinforced that potential. A return to a roster in 2025 would give him a chance to put a full healthy season together.
Looking ahead, Duncan’s 2025 outlook depends on landing with a team that values his size, experience, and ability to play both tackle and guard. Whether as a swing tackle, a depth piece, or a future starter, he remains a young offensive lineman with a long professional track ahead of him.