Rakim Jarrett Bio
Rakim Jarrett (born January 24, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and competing at 192 pounds, Jarrett has worked to establish himself at the professional level through a combination of route running and special teams play. He is currently listed with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization after a brief practice squad stint in 2025.
Jarrett grew up in Palmer Park, Maryland, and rose to national recognition as a high school recruit before spending three seasons at the University of Maryland. His journey from a Washington, D.C.-area prep standout to an NFL roster spot illustrates a path shaped by early production and a willingness to adapt through the college ranks.
Early Life and Background
Rakim Jarrett was born on January 24, 2001, in Palmer Park, Maryland. He attended St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., where he developed into one of the most productive wide receivers in the region. During his senior season in 2019, Jarrett recorded 60 receptions for 950 yards and seven touchdowns, a stat line that earned him recognition as the Gatorade Football Player of the Year for the District of Columbia.
His play on the field translated into a five-star recruiting profile, and Jarrett attracted attention from multiple powerhouse programs. He originally committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) before ultimately choosing to play his college football at the University of Maryland, College Park, a decision that brought him closer to home and allowed him to develop in the Big Ten Conference. The choice to switch his commitment reflected both personal priorities and a desire to compete at a high level closer to the community that had supported his early growth.
Beyond football, Jarrett’s formative years were shaped by the competitive prep environment in the Washington, D.C., area, a region long known for producing skilled skill-position players. His combination of size, route precision, and productivity made him a notable name well before he ever suited up for Maryland.
Path to American Football
Jarrett’s path to professional American football began with his senior year explosion at St. John’s College High School, where his 60-reception season established him as a priority target for college recruiters. The Gatorade recognition added an extra layer of credibility, signaling that his production translated into consistent dominance against top regional competition. The recruiting process was closely watched, and his initial verbal commitment to LSU generated national attention before he ultimately redirected his career to Maryland.
The transition from prep star to college contributor required patience, particularly as he prepared to compete in a pass-heavy Big Ten offense. Jarrett joined a Maryland program looking to develop offensive playmakers, and his early enrollment allowed him to participate in spring practices before his freshman season. That preparation helped him adjust to the speed and complexity of college defenses, and it laid the groundwork for the volume he would see as an upperclassman.
By the time he declared for the 2023 NFL draft, Jarrett had logged meaningful snaps against Power Five competition. Despite going undrafted, his college film and pro day measurables convinced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sign him, opening the door to his professional career.
Rakim Jarrett Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
As a true freshman at the University of Maryland in 2020, Jarrett started all four games he played in and finished the shortened season with 17 receptions for 252 yards and two touchdowns. The limited schedule, impacted by the broader disruptions of the 2020 college football calendar, did not slow his development, and his performance hinted at a much larger role ahead.
His sophomore season in 2021 marked a significant step forward. Jarrett started all 13 games and recorded 62 receptions for 829 yards and five touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable target in the Terrapins’ passing attack. The volume of work reflected both his improvement as a route runner and the trust the coaching staff placed in him across a full season. Those two seasons gave him a sturdy foundation heading into his final collegiate year and, eventually, the NFL evaluation process.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2023-2025)
Jarrett signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, beginning his professional career in a crowded wide receiver room. On August 29, 2023, the Buccaneers announced that he had made the initial 53-man roster, validating the organization’s belief in his developmental trajectory. The achievement made an early statement about his readiness, as undrafted rosters spots are rarely guaranteed for young receivers.
His rookie year was interrupted on November 22, 2023, when he was placed on injured reserve, ending his active season. Jarrett was activated on January 5, 2024, in time for the Buccaneers’ postseason push. The 2024 season began with another injured reserve designation, and he was activated on October 26, a timeline that limited his early-season opportunities but allowed him to contribute down the stretch. On August 26, 2025, Jarrett was waived by the Buccaneers as part of final roster cuts, closing his chapter in Tampa Bay.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2025)
On September 8, 2025, Jarrett was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, providing him an opportunity to continue developing within a new organization. The move offered a fresh start after his release from Tampa Bay and reflected continued interest in his skill set at the professional level. He was released on September 16, ending a brief stint with the Steelers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although the term is more commonly associated with motorsports, the same phrase captures Jarrett’s professional profile well: he is a possession-style wide receiver whose strengths lie in short-to-intermediate route running, reliable hands, and the ability to contribute on special teams. His 6-foot frame and strong hands allow him to work the middle of the field, while his college production against Big Ten competition suggests he can handle physical coverage. Teams have consistently valued his developmental upside, and his path through the Buccaneers’ and Steelers’ systems reflects that ongoing potential.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable events of Jarrett’s early career is his senior-year Gatorade Football Player of the Year honor for Washington, D.C., which validated his status as one of the region’s premier prospects. Making the Buccaneers’ initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2023 stands as another milestone, and his transitions through injured reserve and back to active duty highlight the resilience required to sustain an NFL career.
Rakim Jarrett Career Wins
As a young professional whose primary production has come on practice squads and reserve roles, Rakim Jarrett’s verified career wins are still developing. The most consistent achievements on his resume remain his college totals at Maryland, where he accumulated 79 receptions for 1,081 yards and seven touchdowns across his freshman and sophomore seasons, numbers that helped earn him an NFL opportunity. His progression from a five-star recruit to an undrafted free agent signing, and ultimately to multiple practice squad opportunities, reflects a career still in its early growth phase.
Maryland Terrapins Highlights
Jarrett’s Terrapins highlights begin with his freshman-year debut in 2020, when he started all four games he played in and produced two receiving touchdowns. His 2021 sophomore campaign stands as the statistical peak of his college career, with 62 receptions for 829 yards and five touchdowns across 13 starts. That season solidified his role as a primary target and gave scouts a clear picture of his abilities heading into his draft evaluation.
Other Performances
Beyond his Maryland tenure, Jarrett’s professional performances have been limited to reserve and practice squad duty. He made the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster in 2023 and contributed in a reserve capacity before injuries interrupted his season. Brief practice squad stints in 2025 with the Pittsburgh Steelers further illustrate his continued presence on NFL rosters.
Rakim Jarrett Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Rakim Jarrett’s immediate family remains limited, and specific details about parents, siblings, or extended relatives have not been widely confirmed in available sources. His upbringing in Palmer Park, Maryland, and his enrollment at St. John’s College High School in nearby Washington, D.C., suggest a close connection to the greater D.C. metropolitan community. As his career progresses, additional verified details about his family background may become more publicly available.
Personal Life
Jarrett’s personal life has largely been kept out of the public eye, and there are no widely confirmed reports about a spouse, partner, or children at this stage of his career. His professional commitments and frequent roster movement have placed much of his recent focus on football. Information about his residence and off-field interests has not been publicly detailed in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a period of transition for Rakim Jarrett. He was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 26, 2025, as part of the team’s final roster cuts, ending a two-year tenure with the organization. The release came after Jarrett had spent time on injured reserve to open the 2024 campaign and worked to regain his role in the Buccaneers’ wide receiver rotation.
On September 8, 2025, Jarrett was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, providing an opportunity to re-enter the league under a new coaching staff. The Steelers’ interest signaled that teams still viewed him as a developmental prospect worth monitoring. He was released on September 16, ending a brief association with the organization.
Looking ahead, Jarrett’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 will depend on his ability to secure another opportunity, whether through another practice squad signing or a reserve/futures contract. His college production and prior NFL experience provide a foundation, and continued health will be key to extending his professional career. As the season progresses, his next roster move will likely determine whether he closes 2025 on an active roster or remains a development candidate for 2026.