A converted wide receiver who found his footing as a running back at Georgia Tech and turned explosive, undersized speed into an NFL opportunity.
Jamal Haynes spent two quiet seasons as a wide receiver at Georgia Tech before a position switch to running back unlocked his game. He went undrafted in 2026 but signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, bringing home-run speed and pass-catching ability in a compact frame.
Path to the league
A three-star recruit from Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, Haynes played 11 games at Georgia Tech in 2021 and 2022 primarily as a wide receiver with no recorded statistics before being converted to running back ahead of the 2023 season. He went unselected in the 2026 NFL draft and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2026.
Career highlights
Haynes broke out immediately at his new position in 2023, rushing for 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 20 receptions for 151 yards and another score, earning third-team All-ACC honors. He finished his Georgia Tech career with 2,534 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns, closing his bowl career with a 128-yard rushing performance against UCF.
2025 season recap
Haynes closed out his Georgia Tech career in 2025 as the Yellow Jackets' primary running back, continuing to pair breakaway speed with receiving value out of the backfield. He tested well at his pro day, running a 4.50-second 40-yard dash with a 36-inch vertical, but at 5-foot-7 and 195 pounds he went undrafted before signing with Cincinnati.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jamal Haynes
- SI.com: Georgia Tech RB Jamal Haynes Is NFL Draft Underdog Worth Betting On
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- Georgia Tech
- Hometown
- Loganville, GA, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
