Jordan Magee Bio
Jordan Machai Magee is an American professional football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Temple Owls and was selected by the Commanders in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. A former two-star recruit who grew into a defensive leader at Temple, Magee entered the professional ranks as a tackling specialist with a reputation for physical play in the box.
Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 224 pounds, Magee brings the frame and range typically associated with modern NFL linebackers. His progression from a redshirt freshman to a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection illustrates the steady development that defined his college career.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Machai Magee was born on March 24, 2001, in Towson, Maryland, and later moved with his family to Dover, Delaware. He attended Dover High School, where he played both football and basketball. On the football field, Magee lined up at quarterback and safety, showcasing his athletic versatility and competitive instincts during his formative years.
As a senior, Magee helped Dover High School post a 9–2 record while throwing for 1,208 yards and 18 touchdowns. His play earned him first-team all-conference and second-team all-state honors, and he helped the team reach the Delaware playoff semifinals. Although he was recruited as a two-star prospect, his production and leadership convinced Temple to bring him in as a defensive player.
Path to American Football
Magee committed to the Temple Owls and arrived on campus as a developmental defensive prospect. His transition from high school quarterback and safety to college linebacker required adjustment, but his tackling ability and football IQ allowed him to contribute on special teams during his first year. Coaches saw in him the traits needed to grow into a starting defensive role.
Each offseason brought expanded responsibility, and by his third year Magee had earned a starting job in the Temple defense. His ability to read offenses, finish tackles, and produce behind the line of scrimmage made him a focal point of the Owls’ defensive game plan. By the end of his senior season, his consistent production had placed him on the radar of NFL scouts.
Jordan Magee Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Magee began his college career at Temple in 2019 and redshirted while appearing in four games as a special teams contributor. The shortened 2020 season gave him his first real taste of defensive action, and he recorded 15 tackles across five appearances. Those opportunities helped him adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game.
In 2021, Magee became a starter early in the season and immediately delivered. He finished the year with 54 tackles and three passes defended, demonstrating the range and instincts that would define his career. The experience of starting for a full season prepared him to take on an even larger role as an upperclassman.
Temple Owls Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Magee’s 2022 campaign marked his arrival as one of the top tacklers in the American Athletic Conference. He recorded a team-leading 86 tackles, added 9.0 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks, and ranked tenth in the AAC in tackles. His production earned him honorable mention All-AAC recognition and confirmed his status as a defensive cornerstone for the Owls.
He followed that performance with another strong season in 2023, posting 80 tackles that ranked eighth in the conference and led the team. He also ranked third in the AAC with 14 tackles-for-loss, showcasing his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. His play earned him second-team All-AAC honors, and he closed his college career with 235 tackles and eight sacks.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–Present)
Magee entered the NFL when the Washington Commanders selected him in the fifth round, 139th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 10, 2024, formally beginning his professional career. His selection reflected the Commanders’ belief that his tackling volume and instincts could translate to the next level.
His rookie year brought an early setback when he injured his knee during a preseason game against the New York Jets. The Commanders placed him on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, after he underwent a minor procedure to repair the injury. Magee returned to the active roster on October 23, 2024, and resumed his role in the defensive rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Magee’s young career is his selection in the 2024 NFL draft, which validated the long road from a two-star recruit to a professional linebacker. His second-team All-AAC nod in 2023 served as a similar milestone at the college level, capping a four-year climb that began on special teams. The knee injury and subsequent return during his rookie season tested his resilience, and his activation in October 2024 marked his first active appearance in a regular-season setting.
Jordan Magee Career Wins
As a linebacker, Jordan Machai Magee’s statistical impact is measured through tackles, tackles-for-loss, and sacks rather than traditional win totals. During his time at Temple, he consistently produced among the top tacklers in the American Athletic Conference and served as a defensive leader for the Owls. His rookie season with the Washington Commanders was spent primarily on injured reserve, with his first game action coming after his October 2024 return.
Temple Owls Highlights
Magee’s college resume is anchored by his 235 career tackles and eight sacks across his four seasons with the Owls. His 2022 season produced 86 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks, while his 2023 campaign added 80 tackles and a conference-leading 14 tackles-for-loss. The second-team All-AAC selection in 2023 served as the capstone of his development at the collegiate level.
Jordan Magee Family
Personal Life
Jordan Machai Magee was raised in Towson, Maryland, and Dover, Delaware, communities that shaped his early athletic development. Public information about his immediate family is limited, and he has kept most of his personal life away from media coverage. His professional profile and social presence focus primarily on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Jordan Machai Magee’s first full offseason as a healthy professional with the Washington Commanders. After spending much of his rookie year recovering from knee surgery, he is expected to compete for a larger role within the linebacker rotation. His special teams experience and run-defense instincts give him a clear path to contributing on early downs.
Key storylines for 2025 include his ability to stay healthy, his development in pass coverage, and his chemistry with the Commanders’ defensive coaching staff. A strong training camp could position him as a regular contributor on defense rather than a rotational piece, building on the tackling foundation he established at Temple.
As he enters his second professional year, Magee carries the momentum of his late-season 2024 return and the confidence of an organization that invested a draft pick in his upside. Continued growth in diagnosing plays and finishing tackles will be central to his long-term outlook in Washington.