Jaleel McLaughlin Bio
Jaleel McLaughlin, born on September 13, 2000, in Marshville, North Carolina, is an American professional football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Falcons and Youngstown State Penguins and finished his college career as the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher, surpassing the previous record held by Nate Kmic. After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, he signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent and made the team’s final roster following a strong preseason.
Early Life and Background
Jaleel McLaughlin grew up in Marshville, North Carolina, as one of four children raised primarily by his mother. During his middle school years, his family faced serious hardship after his mother lost her job, forcing them to move between hotels, motels, and relatives’ houses. The period became even more difficult when his cousin and grandmother passed away, and he lost the home he had been living in. For several months, McLaughlin and his family slept in a car parked outside a McDonald’s before moving in with a relative, an experience that shaped his determination to succeed.
Once his living situation stabilized, McLaughlin enrolled at Forest Hills High School, where he competed in track, football, and basketball. He helped the basketball team win a state championship and earned several titles in track, including a second-place finish in the 400-meter dash and a third-place finish in the 200 at the state championships. He was also part of the school’s winning 4×100-meter and 4×200-meter relay teams, marking the first track championships in program history. On the football field, he ran for 1,401 yards and 16 touchdowns in 12 games, averaging more than eight yards per carry.
Path to American Football
Despite his high school production, McLaughlin received no NCAA Division I offers, and most Division II programs projected him as a defensive back because of his 5-foot-7 frame. He committed to Notre Dame College, one of the few programs willing to give him a chance at running back. That opportunity launched one of the most productive college careers in NCAA history across all divisions.
Jaleel McLaughlin Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
McLaughlin burst onto the scene as a true freshman at Notre Dame College, rushing for a school-record 302 yards in his debut, which also set the all-time Division II record for most rushing yards in a first game. He broke that record later in the season with 340 yards and three touchdowns against West Liberty in just three quarters of play. By his fifth game, he led all of Division II in rushing, and he finished the year with 2,421 yards and 19 touchdowns, leading the entire NCAA in rushing. He became the first true freshman in Notre Dame College history to be named a first-team All-American and placed third in voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy.
As a sophomore, McLaughlin led Division II in rushing, scoring, and total yards, posting 2,316 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns. He finished as runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, earned All-American honors, and was named his conference’s male athlete of the year. He left Notre Dame College with 4,737 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns.
Youngstown State Era (2020–2022)
McLaughlin transferred to FCS program Youngstown State for his junior season, which was moved to spring 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors that spring, running for 691 yards and five scores in seven games. In the fall 2021 season, he elevated his play with 1,139 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, earning first-team All-MVFC and third-team All-American recognition.
In his final college season in 2022, McLaughlin ran for 1,588 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging more than seven yards per carry. Entering the second-to-last game of his career, he needed 219 yards to set the NCAA all-time rushing record, and he delivered 227 yards against Missouri State to claim it. He finished college football as the all-time leading rusher with 8,166 yards and 79 touchdowns on 1,250 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
Despite his historic college production, McLaughlin went unselected in the 2023 NFL draft and signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. After a standout preseason, he earned a spot on Denver’s final roster. He scored his first career touchdown on a five-yard rush in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders and followed it with a 72-yard rushing performance in Week 4, adding three receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown to earn the game ball.
As a rookie, McLaughlin appeared in all 17 games and made three starts, finishing the 2023 season with 76 carries for 410 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, along with 31 receptions for 160 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Notable Events and Milestones
McLaughlin’s most significant milestone came in 2022, when he broke the NCAA all-time rushing record against Missouri State, finishing his college career with 8,166 yards. His NFL journey is itself a milestone: undrafted out of Youngstown State, he made Denver’s roster and immediately contributed as a rookie, including his first career touchdown against Washington.
Jaleel McLaughlin Career Wins
McLaughlin’s victory totals are tied to his record-setting rushing production at the college level rather than traditional race or playoff wins. He led the entire NCAA in rushing as a freshman, earned Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up honors as a sophomore, and finished his career as the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher.
Other Wins & Performances
At Forest Hills High School, McLaughlin won a state basketball championship and multiple track titles, including relay championships that were the first in school history. He also set the all-time Division II record for rushing yards in a player’s first game and was named a first-team All-American as a true freshman at Notre Dame College.
Jaleel McLaughlin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jaleel McLaughlin was raised in Marshville, North Carolina, by his mother as one of four children. The family experienced extended periods of poverty and homelessness during his middle school years, an experience that became a defining motivation in his athletic career.
Personal Life
Public details about McLaughlin’s personal relationships are limited. He is known to be close with his mother and siblings, who supported him through a childhood marked by financial hardship and residential instability before he reached the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, McLaughlin remains with the Denver Broncos as one of the more intriguing young backs in the NFL. After a productive rookie year in which he appeared in all 17 games, his role is expected to expand as the Broncos continue building around a young offensive core. His ability to contribute as both a runner and a pass catcher out of the backfield gives Denver a versatile option on early downs and in two-minute situations.
McLaughlin’s path from undrafted free agent to a multi-year contributor has been one of the league’s most talked-about storylines. His 6.5-yard career rushing average in college, combined with his 10.3-yards-per-carry outburst in a 2023 regular-season game, suggests he can break long runs when given crease space. The Broncos’ coaching staff has continued to highlight his preparation and pass-protection improvements as reasons for optimism.
The 2025 outlook centers on whether McLaughlin can translate his college efficiency into a larger workload at the NFL level. With another offseason of development behind him, the Broncos will look to feature him in more snaps, particularly in tempo and hurry-up packages that suit his speed and contact balance. His progression will be a key storyline to watch as Denver pushes for a deeper postseason run.