Rayshawn Jenkins Bio
Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 220 pounds, he has built a reputation as a versatile defensive back capable of contributing in coverage, run support, and special teams. After playing college football at Miami (FL), Jenkins entered the NFL when he was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Over the course of his career, he has appeared for the Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Seattle Seahawks before joining the Browns in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins was born on January 25, 1994, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Growing up in the Tampa Bay area, he developed an early interest in football, a sport deeply embedded in the regional culture of West Central Florida. His time in St. Petersburg provided the foundation for the discipline and competitive mindset that would later define his professional career.
Jenkins attended Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he played high school football. His performance at the academy earned him recognition as a promising defensive back prospect, and he attracted attention from college recruiters across the country. The rigorous academic and athletic environment at Admiral Farragut helped shape his approach to the game and prepared him for the next step in his football journey.
Path to American Football
Following his high school career, Jenkins committed to the University of Miami, a program with a long tradition of producing NFL-caliber defensive players. At Miami (FL), he developed his skills as a safety, working within a competitive defensive scheme that demanded both physicality and football intelligence. His college career showcased the traits that would later make him an effective professional: tackling reliability, coverage awareness, and the versatility to play multiple roles in the secondary.
On December 5, 2016, it was announced that Jenkins had accepted his invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl, one of the premier pre-draft showcases in college football. During Senior Bowl practices, he was involved in a physical altercation with Grambling State wide receiver Chad Williams, an incident that briefly drew attention but did not derail his draft trajectory. On January 28, 2017, Jenkins contributed two combined tackles in the Senior Bowl game, helping the South team defeat the North 16–15. He was one of 60 defensive backs to attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he finished ninth in the broad jump and 22nd among all defensive backs in the 40-yard dash.
Rayshawn Jenkins Career
Pre-Draft and Draft (2016–2017)
At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Jenkins was projected to be a third-to-fifth round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts, and he was ranked the fifth-best free safety by NFLDraftScout.com. The Los Angeles Chargers selected him in the fourth round, 113th overall, of the 2017 NFL draft, making him the 14th safety taken that year. On May 17, 2017, Jenkins signed a four-year, $3.06 million rookie contract with the Chargers that included an initial signing bonus of $662,209.
Throughout his first training camp, Jenkins competed against Dwight Lowery, Tre Boston, Darrell Stuckey, Dexter McCoil, and Adrian Phillips for snaps at safety. Head coach Anthony Lynn named him the third strong safety on the depth chart, behind Jahleel Addae and Adrian Phillips. On September 10, 2017, Jenkins made his professional regular season debut in a 24–21 loss at the Denver Broncos, though he was limited to special teams. He finished his rookie season with 13 combined tackles (10 solo) and a pass deflection in 15 games with zero starts.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2017–2020)
In 2018, Jenkins continued to develop within the Chargers’ secondary, appearing in 15 games and earning one start. On October 24, 2018, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles and was credited with half a sack on Baker Mayfield during a 38–14 victory at the Cleveland Browns. On December 30, 2018, Jenkins earned his first career start as a nickelback and made seven combined tackles in a 23–9 win at the Denver Broncos. The Chargers finished second in the AFC West with a 12–4 record that season and earned a Wildcard position. On January 6, 2019, Jenkins started his first postseason game and recorded four combined tackles in the Chargers’ 23–7 victory at the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wildcard round. The following week, he made nine combined tackles in a 41–28 loss at the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.
By 2019, Jenkins had emerged as a starting safety. In Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, he recorded his first career interception off Matthew Stafford. He finished the 2019 season leading the team in defensive snaps, recording 54 tackles, four passes defensed, and a team-leading three interceptions through 16 starts. In Week 3 of the 2020 season against the Carolina Panthers, Jenkins recorded his first career full sack on Teddy Bridgewater. His time with the Chargers ended following the 2020 season, concluding a four-year run in which he grew from a special teams contributor into a full-time starting safety.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2021–2023)
On March 17, 2021, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Jenkins to a four-year, $35 million contract that included $16 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $8 million. He entered the 2021 season as the Jaguars’ starting free safety but suffered a broken ankle in Week 15 and was placed on injured reserve on December 21, 2021, ending his season. He finished the year with 73 tackles and three passes defensed through 14 starts.
Jenkins bounced back in 2022 with several memorable performances. In Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, he recorded his first interception as a member of the Jaguars off a pass from Matt Ryan in a 24–0 victory. In Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys, Jenkins recorded a team-high 18 combined tackles and had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown in overtime to win the game for the Jaguars. In a Week 18 win-and-in game against the Tennessee Titans, with the Titans leading 16–13, Jenkins forced a fumble while sacking quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The fumble was recovered by teammate Josh Allen, who returned it for a touchdown to give the Jaguars a 20–16 lead, allowing Jacksonville to clinch the AFC South and a trip to the playoffs. On March 5, 2024, Jenkins was released by the Jaguars.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–2025)
On March 13, 2024, the Seattle Seahawks signed Jenkins to a two-year, $12 million contract that included $6.26 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $5 million. In Week 5 against the New York Giants, Jenkins recorded a 102-yard fumble return for a touchdown, one of the most explosive plays of his career. On October 16, he was placed on injured reserve before being activated on November 23. On March 4, 2025, Jenkins was released by the Seahawks.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On May 12, 2025, Jenkins signed with the Cleveland Browns, marking the fourth NFL franchise of his career. The signing was part of Cleveland’s effort to add experienced depth and playmaking ability to its secondary. Jenkins joined a defensive unit seeking leadership and versatility, qualities he had demonstrated throughout his time in the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Jenkins’ career is his 102-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the New York Giants while with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. His overtime interception return for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 and his strip-sack against the Tennessee Titans that helped clinch the AFC South for the Jaguars stand out as defining plays that highlighted his impact in high-leverage situations.
Rayshawn Jenkins Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Rayshawn Jenkins has been part of multiple winning teams and postseason runs, including the 2018 Los Angeles Chargers’ Wildcard and Divisional Round appearance and the 2022 Jacksonville Jaguars’ AFC South championship and playoff berth. He has consistently contributed to defenses that have finished with winning records during his tenures in Los Angeles and Jacksonville.
Rayshawn Jenkins Family
Personal Life
Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he attended Admiral Farragut Academy before continuing his football career at the University of Miami. Details about his immediate family and personal relationships are not widely documented in public sources. Jenkins has maintained an active presence on social media, where he is known by his Instagram handle.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins with the Cleveland Browns after he signed with the team on May 12, 2025. Joining a Browns defense in need of veteran presence in the secondary, Jenkins is expected to compete for a significant role on the depth chart. His experience across multiple defensive schemes in Los Angeles, Jacksonville, and Seattle gives Cleveland a flexible option in the secondary.
Heading into the 2025 campaign, Jenkins brings a track record of production in both run support and coverage, as well as a reputation for delivering in critical late-game situations. Whether serving as a starter, rotational safety, or key contributor on special teams, his versatility offers the Browns additional flexibility on defense. The 2025 season represents an opportunity for Jenkins to extend his career with a fourth NFL franchise and continue building on the highlights that have defined his journey since 2017.