JD #35

Jalen Davis

Cornerback · Utah State

A Utah State record-setter who broke out late in his career, Jalen Davis has finally translated years of practice-squad patience into a starting role in Cincinnati's secondary.

Jalen Davis arrived in the NFL after a decorated Utah State career defined by ball-hawking production, but his path to a consistent NFL role took years to develop. After stints in Miami and Arizona and a long run on Cincinnati's practice squad, he finally broke through as a rotational starter late in the 2025 season. He now enters his sixth pro season with real momentum for the first time.

★ Utah State school-record 48 career passes defensed

★ 11 career interceptions at Utah State

★ Career-high 270 defensive snaps in 2025 after years as a reserve

Path to the league

Davis started 49 games across his Utah State career, totaling 181 tackles, 11 interceptions and a school-record 48 passes defensed. As a senior in 2017 he intercepted three passes, returning two for touchdowns in a win over BYU. He went undrafted and signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2018.

Career highlights

Davis bounced from Miami to Arizona before joining Cincinnati's practice squad midway through the 2020 season. He spent several years as a reserve cornerback and special-teamer for the Bengals, valued for the same ball skills that made him a standout at Utah State even while working his way toward a larger role.

2025 season recap

After spending 2024 on Cincinnati's practice squad, Davis was promoted to the active roster in early December 2025 and started three of the Bengals' final seven games, logging a career-high 270 defensive snaps. It marked the most significant playing-time breakthrough of his career after years as a depth piece.