Jaylon Carlies Bio
Jaylon Carlies, pronounced “CAR-lize,” is an American professional football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 13, 2001, in Orlando, Florida, Carlies played college football for the Missouri Tigers before being selected by the Colts in the fifth round, 151st overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. Although he began his career as a defensive back, the Colts transitioned him to linebacker, where he quickly climbed the depth chart during his rookie season.
Early Life and Background
Jaylon Carlies grew up in Orlando, Florida, and attended West Orange High School, where he lettered in both football and track and field. He was regarded as an elite sprinter at the high school level, showcasing the speed and athleticism that would later become trademarks of his football career. Carlies began his football journey as a wide receiver on the West Orange team before eventually moving into the defensive side of the ball.
Coming out of high school, Carlies was rated as a three-star recruit and drew interest from several college programs. He ultimately decided to commit to play college football for the Missouri Tigers, a program in the Southeastern Conference known for producing NFL-caliber defensive talent. Carlies stood 6-foot-1 at the time of his high school graduation but continued to grow into his college years, topping out just shy of 6-foot-3.
Path to American Football
Carlies’ transition from wide receiver to defensive back during his high school years marked the beginning of his development as a defensive player. His combination of speed, length, and tackling ability made him an attractive prospect for college recruiters. By the time he arrived at Missouri, Carlies had already established himself as a multi-sport athlete with a track background that gave him an edge in coverage and pursuit angles.
His commitment to Missouri gave him the platform to refine his skills against top-tier competition in the SEC. The Tigers’ defensive scheme allowed Carlies to play in space, leveraging his athletic profile while he continued to grow physically. By the end of his college career, he had developed into a versatile defender capable of contributing in multiple roles across the secondary and at the linebacker level.
Jaylon Carlies Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Jaylon Carlies wasted little time making an impact at Missouri. In his freshman season of 2020, he notched eight tackles while adjusting to the speed and physicality of college football. By his sophomore campaign in 2021, Carlies had earned a larger role in the Tigers’ defense, recording his first career start in week two against Kentucky, a game in which he tallied four tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Later that season, Carlies had two goal line stops and an interception against the number-one-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, demonstrating his ability to perform on the biggest stages. He finished the 2021 season with 67 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a team-leading four interceptions, establishing himself as one of the most productive young defenders in the SEC.
SEC Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In the 2022 season, Carlies continued his upward trajectory, finishing the year with 81 tackles, a sack, four pass deflections, three interceptions, and a forced fumble. His production and consistency drew attention from NFL scouts, who viewed him as a versatile defensive back with the size and toughness to project to multiple positions at the next level.
The 2023 season proved to be Carlies’ most high-profile college campaign. In the Cotton Bowl, he led the Tigers with 11 tackles as Missouri upset Ohio State, delivering one of the signature performances of his college career. He finished the 2023 season with 64 tackles, four and a half tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass deflections, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. After the season, Carlies declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
Across his time at Missouri, Carlies played in 49 games, making 39 starts, and totaled 221 tackles, three sacks, 17 pass deflections, nine interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He left the program as one of its most productive and decorated defensive players in recent memory.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2024–Present)
Jaylon Carlies was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round, with the 151st overall selection, of the 2024 NFL draft. Prior to offseason camp, the Colts announced that they planned to shift Carlies from safety to linebacker, betting on his physical traits and tackling ability to translate to the position. By the end of July, he had risen to third on the team’s linebacker depth chart, behind starters Zaire Franklin and E. J. Speed.
As a rookie, Carlies played in 10 games with six starts, recording 36 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection. On April 21, 2025, general manager Chris Ballard announced that Carlies had undergone surgery to repair a shoulder injury. He was placed on injured reserve and was activated on December 6, allowing him to make his 2025 season debut in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carlies’ track background gives him exceptional closing speed and range in pursuit, while his college production as a tackler and playmaker in coverage reflects a well-rounded skill set. His shift to linebacker with the Colts capitalizes on his willingness to engage blockers, his instincts near the line of scrimmage, and his ability to cover ground in space. Standing nearly 6-foot-3 and weighing around 230 pounds, he brings the size profile the Colts look for at the position.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Carlies’ career came in the 2023 Cotton Bowl, where his 11-tackle performance helped Missouri knock off Ohio State and announced his arrival as a draft prospect. His career nine interceptions at Missouri underscored his ball-hawk tendencies, while his seamless transition from safety to linebacker as a rookie demonstrated his football intelligence and adaptability at the professional level.
Jaylon Carlies Career Highlights
Across his college career at Missouri and his early NFL tenure with the Indianapolis Colts, Jaylon Carlies has built a résumé defined by production, versatility, and steady development. From his freshman debut in 2020 to his rookie season in Indianapolis, Carlies has consistently delivered tackles, turnovers, and impactful plays in key moments.
Missouri Tigers Highlights
Carlies recorded 221 tackles, three sacks, 17 pass deflections, nine interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery across 49 games and 39 starts at Missouri. His first career interception came during his sophomore season against Kentucky, while his most memorable performance came in the 2023 Cotton Bowl against Ohio State. He led the Tigers in interceptions during the 2021 season and remained a fixture on the Missouri defense through the 2023 campaign.
NFL Highlights and Performances
In his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts, Carlies appeared in 10 games with six starts, finishing with 36 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection. After missing time in 2025 due to a shoulder injury, he returned to the field in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking his season debut and providing the Colts with a boost in their linebacker rotation.
Jaylon Carlies Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jaylon Carlies was raised in Orlando, Florida, where he attended West Orange High School and developed into an elite sprinter and multi-sport athlete. His upbringing in Central Florida and his involvement in both track and field and football helped shape the athletic foundation that carried him to the NFL.