Jalen Moreno-Cropper Bio
Jalen Moreno-Cropper is an American professional football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 3, 2001, in Parlier, California, he played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs. Moreno-Cropper has shown significant promise, having been recognized with several honors throughout his college career, including First-team All-Mountain West in his senior year. Despite going undrafted in 2023, he signed with the Cowboys and has made strides to establish himself within the league.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Moreno-Cropper was born on May 3, 2001, in Parlier, California, a small community in the San Joaquin Valley. Growing up in the Central Valley placed him in the heart of California football country, where the sport is woven into everyday life from a young age. The region has produced a long line of wide receivers who developed their skills on local fields before moving on to college programs.
Moreno-Cropper initially attended Sanger High School before transferring to Buchanan High School for his senior year. The move gave him a fresh start and a chance to compete in front of a different set of college scouts. He emerged as a four-star recruit, a ranking that reflected his combination of speed, route running, and reliable hands.
His high school film drew offers from several Power 5 programs, including Utah, Nebraska, California, and Oregon. Rather than travel far from home, Moreno-Cropper chose to stay close to his roots and committed to Fresno State. The decision allowed him to develop within a familiar setting while still competing at the highest level of the Mountain West Conference.
Path to American Football
Moreno-Cropper’s path to professional football began with his commitment to Fresno State, where he quickly earned a role in the Bulldogs offense. As a freshman, he caught 15 passes for 196 yards and added 343 rushing yards with three touchdowns, showing that he could contribute both as a receiver and as a gadget player out of the backfield. That versatility caught the attention of the coaching staff and helped establish him as a young playmaker.
By his sophomore year, Moreno-Cropper had grown into a featured target. He led the Bulldogs with 37 receptions and 520 receiving yards, and he added five touchdown catches to his resume. The increased production led to his first major conference honor when he was named Second-team All-Mountain West after his junior season, a campaign in which he posted 85 receptions for 899 yards and 11 touchdowns.
As a senior, Moreno-Cropper cemented his place among the top receivers in the Mountain West. He caught 84 passes for 1,093 yards and five touchdowns and was recognized as First-team All-Mountain West. His back-to-back All-Conference selections and his two 1,000-yard-caliber seasons made him one of the most productive pass catchers in program history, even though he ultimately went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper Career
Early Career (2023)
Jalen Moreno-Cropper signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. The opportunity gave him a chance to compete for a roster spot in a wide receiver room that featured several established veterans. During training camp, he worked to learn the Cowboys’ offensive system and showcase the route running and special teams ability that had made him productive at Fresno State.
On August 29, 2023, Moreno-Cropper was waived as part of the Cowboys’ final roster cuts. Rather than ending his opportunity, the release was quickly followed by a re-signing to the team’s practice squad, where he continued to develop and remain ready in case the active roster needed reinforcement.
Professional Development (2024)
On January 15, 2024, Moreno-Cropper signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys, locking in his place with the organization beyond the 2023 season. Reserve/future contracts are common tools for teams that want to retain young practice squad players who have shown potential. The deal gave Moreno-Cropper an offseason program and a full training camp to compete for a larger role.
His 2024 path included another round of roster moves. On August 27, 2024, he was released during roster cuts, only to re-sign with the practice squad the following day. His first regular-season game action came when he was elevated to the active roster for the Cowboys’ Week 10 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in 12 of 60 offensive snaps in a 34-6 defeat before reverting to the practice squad. On January 6, 2025, he signed another reserve/future contract with the Cowboys, signaling the team’s continued interest in his development.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025)
Heading into 2025, Moreno-Cropper was once again part of the Cowboys’ offseason plans. On August 26, 2025, he was waived by Dallas as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. The familiar pattern reflected his standing as a player the team values but needs to manage under the practice squad eligibility rules.
On October 11, 2025, Moreno-Cropper was signed to the Cowboys’ active roster, a meaningful step that suggested an expanded role. The opportunity was short-lived, as he was waived on October 14 and re-signed to the practice squad. Even with the movement between the active roster and the practice squad, his continued presence with the organization highlights a clear belief in his long-term upside as a depth receiver and potential future contributor.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jalen Moreno-Cropper’s early professional career came when he was elevated to the active roster for the Cowboys’ Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. Playing in 12 offensive snaps in a nationally televised matchup marked his first regular-season NFL game action. Signing a series of reserve/future contracts in 2024 and 2025 also stands as a milestone, reflecting the Cowboys’ sustained investment in his development.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper Career Highlights
Jalen Moreno-Cropper’s career highlights are rooted in his standout college production and his perseverance in earning a place on an NFL roster as an undrafted player. Across his time at Fresno State, he earned Second-team All-Mountain West honors as a junior and First-team All-Mountain West recognition as a senior, capping two of the most productive seasons by a Bulldogs receiver in recent memory.
College Highlights
At Fresno State, Moreno-Cropper produced back-to-back seasons of 85 and 84 receptions, with 899 and 1,093 receiving yards, respectively. His 11 touchdown catches as a junior highlighted his ability to find the end zone, while his senior year production underscored his consistency as a featured target. Those seasons made him one of the most productive receivers in the Mountain West Conference.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper Family
Personal Life
Jalen Moreno-Cropper keeps much of his personal life private, and public details about his family are limited. He was raised in Parlier, California, and has remained connected to his Central Valley roots throughout his football journey. His commitment to Fresno State reflected a desire to stay close to home while pursuing his professional football dream.
2025 Season Performance
Jalen Moreno-Cropper’s 2025 season has been defined by movement between the Dallas Cowboys’ active roster and the practice squad. After being waived on August 26, 2025, and re-signing with the practice squad the next day, he remained in development mode before being signed to the active roster on October 11. The opportunity signaled that the Cowboys viewed him as a player who could contribute on game days.
His time on the active roster was brief, as he was waived on October 14 and re-signed to the practice squad. Even so, his ability to move between the active roster and the practice squad underscores his value as a depth receiver and a reliable practice player. The back-and-forth pattern is common for young pass catchers working to earn a stable role.
Looking ahead, Moreno-Cropper’s 2025 outlook centers on continuing to grow within the Cowboys’ offensive system. With his route running, special teams potential, and proven college production, he remains a candidate to carve out a longer-term role in Dallas. Each elevation to the active roster represents a chance to translate practice performance into regular-season production.