Jaylen Waddle

Jaylen Waddle (born November 25, 1998) is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was drafted sixth overall by the Dolphins in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Early years
Waddle attended Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas. As a senior, he played in the U.S. Army All-American Game. He committed to the University of Alabama to play college football. He made the selection on National Signing Day of 2018 and chose the Crimson Tide over Texas, Texas A&M, Florida State, TCU, and Oregon.

College career
On September 29, 2018, against Louisiana, Waddle had three receptions for 138 yards and two receiving touchdowns to go with a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown. In the SEC Championship against Georgia, he had four receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown in the win. As a true freshman at Alabama in 2018, Waddle was named the SEC Freshman of the Year after recording 45 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns. As a punt returner, he also returned 16 punts for 233 yards and a touchdown.

Waddle returned to the Crimson Tide for his sophomore season in 2019. He recorded 33 receptions for 560 yards and scored six receiving touchdowns. He also returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown against LSU and a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against Auburn. He was named first-team All-SEC as a return specialist and was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. He led the NCAA in punt return yards with 487.

In his first four games of the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Waddle recorded at least 120 receiving yards in each of the games. He had eight receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Missouri on September 26. In the following game, a win over Texas A&M, he had five receptions for 142 yards and one touchdown. In the next game, a win over Ole Miss, he had six receptions for 120 yards. In the next game, against Georgia, he had six receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown in the win. On October 24, Waddle broke his right ankle when he was tackled while returning the opening kickoff in a game against Tennessee. Waddle returned for the National Championship game against Ohio State. On January 14, 2021, Waddle announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

2021
Waddle was drafted sixth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, reuniting him with his college quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. On May 14, 2021, Waddle signed with the Dolphins on a $27.1 million deal.

In his first NFL game on September 12, 2021, Waddle faced off against former Alabama teammate quarterback Mac Jones and the New England Patriots. Waddle caught 4 of his 6 targets for 61 receiving yards, and also caught his first NFL receiving touchdown on a 3-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa in the 17–16 win against the New England Patriots. His first big breakthrough came in Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers, finishing with 137 receiving yards as the Dolphins won 33–10. Throughout the season, Waddle became known for his waddling celebrations after touchdowns, inspired by his last name.

In his 16th game of the season, Waddle set the NFL rookie record for receptions in a season with 104, beating Anquan Boldin's old record of 101. His record was broken by Puka Nacua in 2023. Waddle finished his rookie season with 104 receptions for 1,015 yards and seven total touchdowns.

2022
In a Week 2 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Waddle had a career high of 11 receptions, 171 yards, and 2 touchdowns including the game winner to help the Dolphins comeback from a 35–14 4th quarter deficit, eventually winning the game 42–38. In Week 8 against the Lions, he had eight receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

In a Week 16 game against the Green Bay Packers, he had an 84-yard receiving touchdown, setting the record for longest play during an NFL Christmas game.

Waddle finished the season with 75 receptions, 1,356 receiving yards, 8 receiving touchdowns. The latter two figures set career highs. He also finished the season with 18.1 yards per catch which led the league.

2023
In a Week 2 game against the Patriots, Waddle went down and was ruled out of the game. He was later reported to be in concussion protocol. Before a Week 3 game against the Denver Broncos, Waddle was ruled out with a concussion. He had seven catches for 121 yars and a touchdown against the Patriots in Week 8. he had eight receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown against the Jets in Week 15. He finished the season with 72 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games.

2024
On April 29, 2024, the Dolphins picked up the fifth-year option on Waddle's contract. On May 30, Waddle and the Dolphins agreed to a three–year, $84.75 million contract extension.