Jordan Magee could be an ideal linebacker in the modern NFL. The former Temple star has the intelligence and athleticism to thrive at the next level.
That was on display when the Owls played Duke in 2022. Midway through the first quarter, the Blue Devils handed the ball off to their running back, who ran to the left of the formation. Duke appeared to have a path cleared ahead for him, but Magee disrupted all of that.
He hustled from the opposite side of the formation, tracked down the ball carrier through the chaos at the line, and halted the running back’s momentum immediately.
His swift tackle for loss was one of the many highlight plays he made at Temple. And he could continue to flourish if he ends up in the right situation in the NFL.
“I’m a high-character guy,” Magee said at the NFL Combine when asked what he wants teams to know about him. “I developed my leadership roles. I used to lead just by example. But I do both now. I lead by example, and I’m a vocal leader. So combining those two as a great leader.”
Where Did Jordan Magee Get Drafted?
Magee was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was selected with the 139th overall pick.
“Just being out there and dominating, I felt like I really got a shot at this,” Magee said. “When I got to college, maybe my 2022 season, I felt like I could really do it just by the way I elevated my game to a higher level.”
What Was Jordan Magee’s 40 Time?
Magee was fifth among linebackers with a 4.55-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. At 6-foot-1, 228 pounds, he also tied for third with a broad jump of 10 feet, 4 inches and tied for fourth with a 35.5-inch vertical.
That’s all while he’s been recovering from a torn bicep he suffered in Temple’s second-to-last game of 2023. The injury prevented Magee from participating in the Senior Bowl and all-star games.
He’s proven he has the speed and explosiveness to go toe-to-toe with Power Five players. He was already one of the best G5 prospects going into the NFL Combine, and he further bolstered his case with how he performed in Indianapolis.
“It’s very important,” Magee said of his time at the combine. “And just being out here, being blessed enough to compete against all the athletes here. It’s just a blessing.”
Jordan Magee’s Stats And Highlights
Magee, a second-team Group of Five All-American, was one of the best defenders in the AAC in 2023.
He ranked third in the league with 7.89 tackles per game and second with 1.27 tackles per loss per game. He totaled 80 tackles, 14 for loss, and 3.5 sacks for the year.
The season before, he led the Owls with 86 tackles to go with nine TFLs and 4.5 sacks. In 2021, he tallied 54 tackles and 6.5 TFLs. He totaled 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception during five seasons at Temple.
“Everything is earned, not given, at Temple,” Magee said. “Just taking that mindset to whatever team drafts me is the main goal.”
Jordan Magee’s NFL Comparison And Draft Profile
I project Magee’s playing style in the NFL will be similar to Quincy Williams of the New York Jets. He said he models his game after Williams, who was drafted in the third round out of Murray State in 2019, and I can see why.
Magee believes his skill set translates to the NFL because of his recent emphasis on pass coverage. And that shows up on tape.
Magee played quarterback in high school, which he believes helped him understand weaknesses in coverages. That then helped him know how to bait quarterbacks into making bad throws. He’s also fast enough to cover some wide receivers.
Though he’s not the biggest at his position group, that shouldn’t be a problem for Magee, who was 10th in Pro Football Focus’ grades of all FBS linebackers in 2023. He could be more consistent at the point of attack when someone is trying to block him, but he’s an excellent tackler in the open field.
Magee needed to expand his repertoire of pass rush moves whenever he’s blitzing. So he worked with defensive line coaches to improve elements of his pass rushing like his hand technique. That led to him being ranked as the fourth-best linebacker in PFF’s pass-rushing grades.
Based on what he has accomplished and the improvements he’s made, he could be in the NFL for years to come.
“I’m going to bring 100% effort into the facility at all times,” Magee said. “I’m going to bring that Temple-tough mindset.”
