Jalen McMurray is a defensive back and NFL prospect who played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers football after beginning his career with the Temple Owls football. A native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, McMurray attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., where he was a three year starter in the competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and earned all conference recognition. After graduating he committed to Temple as a two star recruit and began developing as a cornerback in the Owls’ secondary. McMurray is listed at 6 feet 0 inches and about 187 pounds and built a reputation during his college career as a versatile defensive back capable of playing both outside corner and the hybrid STAR position in the slot.
McMurray redshirted during his first season at Temple in 2021 before becoming a key contributor over the next two years. In 2022 he started all 12 games and finished with 49 tackles, eight pass breakups, an interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery while earning Freshman All America recognition from College Football News. Across the 2022 and 2023 seasons he totaled 88 tackles and 11 pass breakups before entering the transfer portal and joining Tennessee prior to the 2024 season. After contributing as a rotational defensive back in 2024, McMurray moved into a starting role in 2025 and produced a career best season with more than 50 tackles while playing the STAR position in Tennessee’s defense. Following the season he declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and also received an invitation to the 2026 Senior Bowl during the pre draft process.
