Jacksonville Jaguars rookie safety Jalen Huskey appears to be motivated to be great.
The Jacksonville Jaguars had their 2026 Rookie Minicamp from May 8th-10th and new safety Jalen Huskey is adjusting to the pro level.
Jacksonville drafted Huskey in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 100th overall, out of Maryland.
Huskey started his college football career at Bowling Green in 2022 and remained there through 2023.
As a Falcon, Huskey totaled 59 tackles, four interceptions, six passes defended and a fumble recovery in 21 games (Bowl Games included).
He then transferred to Maryland in 2024 and was there through the 2025 season.
As a Terrapin, Huskey recorded 117 combined tackles, four of which for loss, seven interceptions, four passes defended and a fumble recovery in 24 games.
Huskey is a versatile defensive back that can play safety or cornerback. The footwork is identical but the roles are different. Huskey has the talent to be either one and that's a plus in the NFL.
It was reported by John Oehser of NFL.com that Huskey spoke about his intangibles as a player saying, "I play with a chip on my shoulder. I feel like my entire life I've been a little overlooked or a little overshadowed and I can show that I can produce too."
Huskey went on to say, "At every single stop I produced, and it's not going to stop because I'm in the NFL. I plan to come here and be a great football player."
Huskey at 6-foot-1, weighs 196 pounds and his versatility coincides with the Jaguars because they have multiple defensive backs that have experience all over the secondary.
It wouldn't be far-fetched for Huskey to spend some time at linebacker, as some safeties frequently get reps there in the NFL.
He also scored a 66 Athleticism Score (13th among Safeties at the 2026 NFL Combine) and a 74 Production Score (5th among safeties at the 2026 NFL Combine) by Next Gen Stats.
Liam Coen also talked about how the defense can be with multiple defensive backs interchanging at linebacker.
"That big skill that can play maybe at the safety position, drop down to the big nickel, play some dime WILL (LB), that's important to us, Coen said. “It has been important to us really before all these trends kind of started, was that multiplicity and ability to play different positions.
“It also helps you on special teams when you have big, longer athletes at [defensive back] that can match up with whether it be tight ends, linebacker-type bodies on special teams, is really important."
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