Jimmy Ciarlo Bio
Jimmy Ciarlo (born February 28, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and weighing 225 lb (102 kg), he plays the linebacker position and is currently listed as active on the Bills roster. He played college football for the Army Black Knights and entered the NFL in 2024 as an undrafted free agent.
Ciarlo is a New Jersey native whose path to professional football has included stints with three NFL franchises and a brief NFL debut in 2025. His career has been shaped by military family ties, a starting role at Army, and a recovery from a serious knee injury early in his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Jimmy Ciarlo was born on February 28, 2001, in Ringwood, New Jersey. He grew up in northern New Jersey, where he attended Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale. At Saint Joseph Regional, Ciarlo played both wide receiver and cornerback, giving him experience on both sides of the football during his formative high school years.
On defense at Saint Joseph Regional, Ciarlo totaled over 50 pass breakups and seven interceptions, establishing a track record as a playmaker in the secondary. He received limited attention as a college recruit, but several of his family members had served in the military, which influenced his decision to pursue a military academy path.
After high school, Ciarlo attended the United States Military Academy Preparatory School in West Point, New York, in 2019. That experience prepared him to enroll at Army, where he would go on to play linebacker at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Ciarlo’s path to American Football at the highest level began at the prep school level in West Point before he joined the Army Black Knights. Coming out of high school as a relatively under-recruited defensive back, his move to linebacker came during his college development at Army, where the program is known for developing physical, disciplined defenders.
His combination of high school ball skills, military academy preparation, and growth within the Army defense positioned him for a professional opportunity. Following the 2024 NFL draft, Ciarlo signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, launching his NFL career.
Jimmy Ciarlo Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
Jimmy Ciarlo attended Army from 2020 to 2023, where he majored in systems and decision sciences. As a freshman in 2020, he appeared in four games. He then appeared in four games in 2021 and posted four tackles and a pass breakup while continuing to adjust to the college level.
Ciarlo became a starting linebacker during the 2022 season and started all 12 games, totaling 55 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and two passes defended. As a senior in 2023, he was elected team captain and posted 58 tackles and three sacks while starting all 12 games. That year, he chose to serve in the Infantry Branch of the United States Army after his playing career.
New York Jets Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Ciarlo signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. His professional debut, however, was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL just four plays into his preseason appearance with the Jets.
Ciarlo was waived/injured by the Jets on August 11, 2024, and spent the entire 2024 regular season on injured reserve. He was later released by the Jets on May 8, 2025, ending his first NFL stint.
Buffalo Bills Era (2025–Present)
After being released by the Jets, Ciarlo had tryouts with the New England Patriots and New York Giants, but he was not signed. While contemplating whether to report to the infantry, he was contacted by the Buffalo Bills and offered a tryout, and he signed with the Bills on August 6, 2025.
Four days after signing, Ciarlo appeared in the Bills’ preseason game against the New York Giants and posted four tackles. Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised his performance, which was featured on the reality series Hard Knocks. He posted four more tackles in the second preseason game. Ciarlo was released on August 26 as part of final cuts, then signed to the practice squad the next day.
Ciarlo was signed to the Bills’ active roster on October 4, 2025, and made his NFL debut the following day against the New England Patriots. He was released on October 14 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later, before being released again on November 4. On November 25, 2025, he signed with the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad. On January 19, 2026, Ciarlo signed a reserve/futures contract with the Buffalo Bills.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ciarlo’s most notable professional milestone came on October 5, 2025, when he made his NFL debut for the Buffalo Bills against the New England Patriots. His preseason performance against the New York Giants drew public praise from head coach Sean McDermott on Hard Knocks, marking a memorable early moment in his NFL career.
Jimmy Ciarlo Career Wins
Jimmy Ciarlo’s professional resume is still developing, and verified win totals at the NFL level are limited. Through the 2025 season, he has appeared in one NFL regular-season game, recorded preseason tackles with the Bills, and worked primarily as a practice squad contributor. There are no verified league or championship wins at the professional level to summarize.
Other Wins & Performances
While individual game victories are not tracked at the linebacker position in the same way as quarterbacks or skill players, Ciarlo’s preseason performances with the Buffalo Bills stand out, including a four-tackle debut against the New York Giants and four more tackles in the second preseason game, performances that helped him earn a spot on the practice squad and later the active roster.
Jimmy Ciarlo Family
Personal Life
Jimmy Ciarlo is a native of Ringwood, New Jersey, and his family background includes military service, with several family members having served in the United States military. That lineage helped shape his decision to attend the United States Military Academy Preparatory School and later Army, where he was elected team captain in 2023.
Ciarlo chose to serve in the Infantry Branch of the United States Army after his college playing career, reflecting his family’s military tradition. Public details about a spouse, partner, or children are not currently available.
2025 Season Performance
Jimmy Ciarlo’s 2025 season was defined by movement across three NFL organizations. He began the year with the New York Jets before being released in May, signed with the Buffalo Bills in August, navigated final cuts, and spent much of the fall between the Bills’ practice squad and active roster.
His most prominent stretch came in October 2025, when he signed to the Bills’ active roster and made his NFL debut on October 5 against the New England Patriots. After his release later that month, he was added by the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in late November, capping a year of constant evaluation across multiple teams.
Looking ahead, Ciarlo signed a reserve/futures contract with the Buffalo Bills on January 19, 2026, positioning him for an offseason push to earn a longer-term role. His 2025 tape, including preseason tackling work and his brief regular-season debut, gives him a foundation to build on heading into the next league year.