Jalan Gaines
Career Summary
Jalan Gaines is a defensive player from Chicago, Illinois, who played college football at the University of Dubuque and Illinois State before signing with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
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Early Life
Gaines is from Chicago, Illinois, and attended Oak Lawn High School.
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High School
Gaines attended Oak Lawn High School in Illinois before starting his college football career.
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College Career
Gaines began at the University of Dubuque, where he played 10 games in 2021 and recorded 21 tackles, four sacks, 6.0 tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries. He then transferred to Illinois State. In 2024, he started all 14 games at outside linebacker and led the Redbirds with 5.0 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries while posting 50 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss.
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Path to the NFL
Gaines signed with Seattle as an undrafted rookie following the 2025 NFL Draft after completing his Illinois State career.
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NFL Career
Gaines spent training camp and the 2025 preseason with Seattle, where he blocked a field-goal attempt against the Raiders that would have won the game. He was waived at final roster cuts, returned to the practice squad, and was later released during the season. Seattle signed him again in February 2026.
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Career Accomplishments
In 2024, Gaines ranked first on Illinois State and third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 12.5 tackles for loss. He also led the Redbirds in sacks and quarterback hurries.
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Playing Style
Gaines produced as an edge defender and outside linebacker at Illinois State, combining backfield disruption with coverage production. His 2024 season included 12.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and 12 quarterback hurries.
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Sources for this section
31300, 00-0040055, 2001-04-12, Jalan Gaines, Jalan, Gaines
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 0.0
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.