Jalen Rivers

A 6-6, 319-pound offensive lineman noted for his positional versatility, Rivers was selected by the Bengals in the fifth round of this year's NFL Draft ... He played in 38 games with 29 starts over a five-year career (2020-24) at the University of Miami (Fla.), and started at left tackle in each of his final 21 appearances ... Earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition in 2023, then followed up with honorable mention in '24 ... Last season, he blocked for a Miami offense that led the nation in total yards per game (537.2) and points per game (43.9) ... Also was a track and field standout at Oakleaf High School in the Jacksonville area, and won a Florida state championship in the shot put event.

A 6-6, 319-pound offensive lineman noted for his positional versatility, Rivers was selected by the Bengals in the fifth round of this year's NFL Draft ... He played in 38 games with 29 starts over a five-year career (2020-24) at the University of Miami (Fla.), and started at left tackle in each of his final 21 appearances ... Earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition in 2023, then followed up with honorable mention in '24 ... Last season, he blocked for a Miami offense that led the nation in total yards per game (537.2) and points per game (43.9) ... Also was a track and field standout at Oakleaf High School in the Jacksonville area, and won a Florida state championship in the shot put event.

Career transactions:

Selected by Cincinnati in fifth round of NFL Draft (153rd overall) on 4-26-25 ... Signed with Bengals on 5-8-25.

Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher says:

"Jalen is a really impressive guy. Very smart, physically gifted and versatile. He has really played just about an equal share of his snaps at guard and tackle — often times within a game, playing guard and tackle. That versatility really speaks to the value I think he'll provide us at this level."

College highlights:

Spent five seasons (2020-24) at Miami (Fla.) ... Played in 38 games with 29 starts.

2024—Honorable mention All-ACC ... Started eight games at LOT ... Missed five games due to injury ... Blocked for offense that led nation in total yards per game (537.2) and points per game (43.9).

2023—Named second-team All-ACC ... Started all 13 games at LOT ... Helped Miami offense rank second in ACC in total yards per game (431.2) and passing yards per game (258.0), while ranking third in points per game (31.5).

2022—Played in nine games with seven starts ... Named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance on Sept. 3 vs. Bethune-Cookman, when he blocked for offense that totaled 605 yards.

2021—Started first three games at LG ... Sustained season-ending leg injury in third game.

2020—Saw action in seven games as a true freshman ... Made college debut on Sept. 26 vs. Florida State ... Played in Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 29 vs. Oklahoma State.

High school:

Attended Oakleaf High School in Orange Park, Fla. (near Jacksonville) ... Selected to participate in 2020 Under Armour All-America Game ... Named all-state and all-county as a senior ... Also competed in basketball, weightlifting and track and field ... Won state championship in the shot put.

Personal:

Hometown is Jacksonville, Fla. ... Earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in sports administration from Miami in May 2023 and December 2024, respectively.

Last Updated July 2025