Javontae Jean-Baptiste

Javontae Jean-Baptiste (born May 16, 2000) is an American football defensive end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish before being selected by the Commanders in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life and high school
Jean-Baptiste was born on May 16, 2000, in Spring Valley, New York. He attended high school at Bergen Catholic. In Jean-Baptiste's senior season he notched 88 tackles with 14.5 being for a loss, 11.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Coming out of high school, Jean-Baptiste was rated as a four star recruit, and the 129th best player in the class of 2018. Jean-Baptiste committed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ohio State
In Jean-Baptiste's first two seasons in 2019 and 2020, he played in 11 games notching 20 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, two and a half sacks, and a fumble recovery. Jean-Baptiste finished the 2021 season with 12 tackles with two going for a loss, and a sack and a half. In week three of the 2022 season, Jean-Baptiste totaled two sacks, a forced fumble, and five pressures against Toledo. In the 2022 Peach Bowl Jean-Baptiste had half a sack. In the 2022 season, Jean-Baptiste totaled 19 tackles with four and a half going for a loss, and four sacks. After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Jean-Baptiste decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Jean-Baptiste finished his career at Ohio State totaling 52 tackles, eight sacks, and a forced fumble.

Notre Dame
Jean-Baptiste decided to transfer to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In week four of the 2023 season, Jean-Baptiste notched a career-high eight tackles versus his former team Ohio State. In the 2023 season, Jean-Baptiste tallied 47 tackles with nine and a half being for a loss, and four sacks.

Professional career
Jean-Baptiste was selected by the Washington Commanders in the seventh round (222nd overall) of the 2024 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 10, 2024.