Javontae Jean-Baptiste

Javontae Jean-Baptiste (born May 16, 2000) is an American professional football outside linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish before being selected by the Commanders in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life Jean-Baptiste was born on May 16, 2000, in Spring Valley, New York. He attended Bergen Catholic High School. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a four-star recruit and the 129th best player in the class of 2018. Jean-Baptiste committed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

College career Ohio State In Jean-Baptiste's first two seasons in 2019 and 2020, he played in 11 games notching 20 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, two and a half sacks, and a fumble recovery. He finished the 2021 season with 12 tackles with two going for a loss, and a sack and a half. In week 3 of the 2022 season, Jean-Baptiste totaled two sacks, a forced fumble, and five pressures against Toledo. In the 2022 Peach Bowl he had half a sack. In the 2022 season, Jean-Baptiste totaled 19 tackles with four and a half going for a loss, and four sacks. After the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal. Jean-Baptiste finished his career at Ohio State totaling 52 tackles, eight sacks, and a forced fumble.

Notre Dame In 2023, Jean-Baptiste transferred to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In Week 4, he notched a career-high eight tackles against his former team Ohio State. Jean-Baptiste tallied 47 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and 4 sacks during the season.

Professional career

Jean-Baptiste was selected by the Washington Commanders in the seventh round (222nd overall) of the 2024 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 10, 2024. Jean-Baptiste recorded his first career sack in Week 3. He was placed on injured reserve on October 16, after suffering an ankle injury in Week 6. He was activated on November 23.

After suffering a torn pec in the Week 4 loss against the Atlanta Falcons, Jean-Baptiste was placed on injured reserve on October 1, 2025.

During the 2026 preseason, Jean-Baptiste switched from defensive end to outside linebacker in the new defensive scheme implemented by Daronte Jones.

Career statistics NFL + Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles 2024 WAS 12 1 13 6 7 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 12 1 13 6 7 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

College + Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Total Solo Ast Sack PD Int Yds TD FF FR TD 2018 Ohio State Did not play 2019 Ohio State 14 0 14 6 8 1.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2020 Ohio State 6 2 6 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2021 Ohio State 11 3 14 7 7 1.5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2022 Ohio State 11 0 19 9 10 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2023 Notre Dame 13 12 49 21 28 5 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 Career 55 17 102 46 56 13 2 0 0 0 2 2 0

Personal life Jean-Baptiste's cousin, Abry Jones, played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013 to 2020.