Jeremy Reaves Bio
Jeremy Antoine Reaves is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 29, 1996, in Pensacola, Florida, Reaves built his reputation through hard work, versatility, and leadership on special teams. After going unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining Washington later that same year. He earned first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection in 2022, establishing himself as one of the league’s most reliable special teams contributors.
Early Life and Background
Reaves was raised in Pensacola, Florida, where he attended Pensacola Catholic High School. A multi-sport athlete, he played both baseball and football for the Crusaders, originally lining up at running back before his coach moved him to defensive back after his sophomore year. As a junior, he was named first-team all-area, and during his senior season he earned honorable mention All-State recognition. That final year was made more difficult by vertebrae fractures that forced him to miss extended time, yet he still managed 39 tackles and five interceptions when healthy.
Path to American Football
Reaves’ transition to defensive back during high school set the foundation for his future as a coverage player and tackler. His senior production attracted college attention, and he went on to play four seasons for the South Alabama Jaguars. He spent his first three collegiate years at cornerback before shifting to safety ahead of his senior season, a move that allowed him to maximize his physicality and field awareness.
Jeremy Reaves Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
At South Alabama, Reaves developed into one of the most productive defensive players in the Sun Belt Conference. As a sophomore in 2015, he earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors after recording 96 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six passes defensed, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles. In 2016, he was elevated to first-team All-Sun Belt after posting 85 tackles, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions, again leading the team’s pass defense category.
During his senior year, Reaves was named the 2017 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first South Alabama player to receive that award. He recorded a team-leading 104 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 1.5 sacks, and eight passes defensed, including a 92-yard fumble recovery against Louisiana-Monroe. He closed his college career with 301 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, 22 passes defensed, and nine forced fumbles, and earned an invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl, where he posted eight tackles and an interception.
Philadelphia Eagles (2018)
Reaves signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018. His time with the organization was brief, as he was waived on September 1 as part of the final roster cuts. Despite the short stint, the experience provided his first look at a professional NFL environment and prepared him for his next opportunity.
Washington Commanders Era (2018–Present)
On September 12, 2018, Reaves was signed to the Washington Redskins’ practice squad and promoted to the active roster on December 19, making his NFL debut in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. He bounced between the practice squad and active roster through the 2019 and 2020 seasons, recording his first career start in Week 8 of 2019 against the Minnesota Vikings and his first career sack on Andy Dalton during a Thanksgiving Day win over the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. In 2020, he also secured his first career interception off Nate Sudfeld during a Week 17 road win against Philadelphia.
The 2021 season saw Reaves activate in five games with two starts, highlighted by a career-high 12 tackles against the Eagles in Week 15. In 2022, he made the Commanders’ 53-man roster out of training camp for the first time in his career and appeared in all 17 games with three starts, recording a career-high 33 tackles while playing 374 snaps on special teams. His standout play earned him a Pro Bowl selection as the NFC special teams starter and first-team All-Pro recognition in January 2023.
Reaves suffered a partially torn ACL in October 2023 and was placed on injured reserve, missing the remainder of the season. He re-signed with the Commanders on a two-year contract on March 13, 2024, and appeared in all 17 games that year, tallying 20 tackles. On June 12, 2025, with one year remaining on his deal, Reaves signed a one-year contract extension with Washington, signaling his continued importance to the franchise.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reaves’ career has featured several signature moments, from his first NFL start in 2019 to his first sack against Dallas in 2020 and his first interception against Philadelphia the same year. His most decorated stretch came in 2022, when his special teams excellence led to All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. On December 29, 2024, he marked another personal milestone by proposing to his girlfriend on the field at Northwest Stadium after a victory against the Atlanta Falcons.
Jeremy Reaves Career Wins
Reaves’ career statistics highlight his role as a steady contributor and special teams ace rather than a traditional stat-sheet leader on defense. His biggest individual accolades came in 2022, when he was recognized as the NFC’s top special teamer.
Commanders Highlights
Since joining Washington in 2018, Reaves has steadily built his resume, recording 15 tackles as a rotational defender in 2019, 25 tackles with his first career sack and interception in 2020, and 29 tackles across five games in 2021. His career-best season arrived in 2022, when he posted 33 tackles and earned both All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Reaves’ most celebrated collegiate performance came in 2017, when he was named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year after leading South Alabama with 104 tackles and earning a Senior Bowl invitation.
Jeremy Reaves Family
Personal Life
Reaves became engaged to his girlfriend, Mikaela Worley, on December 29, 2024, after a Commanders home victory against the Atlanta Falcons. The on-field proposal marked one of the most memorable personal moments of his professional career. Reaves has maintained strong ties to his hometown of Pensacola throughout his NFL journey.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Reaves signed a one-year contract extension with the Washington Commanders on June 12, 2025, underscoring the organization’s confidence in his continued value on special teams. Coming off a 2024 campaign in which he played all 17 games and registered 20 tackles, Reaves is expected to reprise his role as a core special teamer and rotational safety.
The Commanders will rely on Reaves’ tackling, field awareness, and locker-room leadership as they navigate a competitive NFC East. His track record of durability, including appearing in every game in 2024 and 2022, positions him well for another full-season workload. With the extension in hand, Reaves has both stability and motivation to continue producing at a high level.