Jayden Harrison

Jayden Devon Harrison (born March 23, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores, Marshall Thundering Herd, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Early life Jayden Harrison was born in Pontiac, Michigan. He attended Pearl-Cohn High School in Nashville, Tennessee. Harrison was an all-city selection in his sophomore and junior years, and as a senior, he was named a third-team all-midstate football player. Additionally, as a senior, Harrison was named as a finalist for the William E. Hume Award, which is given to the high schooler in the metro-Nashville area who exhibits the best character and performance as a football player. Harrison, a consensus three-star recruit, committed to play for Vanderbilt University over Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi State, and Tennessee. Harrison cited Vanderbilt's coaches, academic reputation, and proximity to his hometown as his reasons for committing to Vanderbilt. Harrison was part of The Tennessean's 2018 edition of the "Dandy Dozen," a group of the top collegiate prospects in the Nashville area. In 2020, Harrison played in all nine games during the shortened season, having eight catches for 20 yards, along with nine kickoff returns for 141 yards. In week 10 against Florida Atlantic, Harrison returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, being named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week as a result. In 2022, Harrison's performance decreased, with him registering fewer receiving and kickoff return yards than the previous year. In 2023, however, Harrison put up his best statistics while at Marshall. Against James Madison in week 8, Harrison returned a 94-yard kickoff for a touchdown. In week 11, Harrison returned the opening kickoff for 98 yards and a touchdown in a win against Georgia Southern, for which he was named the Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. Harrison also registered his best game as a receiver at the end of the season, having 6 receptions with 132 yards in a loss in the 2023 Frisco Bowl. Following the season, Harrison was named as a finalist for the Jet Award, and a member of both the first-team All-SBC football team and first-team All-America team. Harrison finished his career at Marshall with 62 receptions for 758 yards and four touchdowns, along with three kick-offs returned as touchdowns.

Notre Dame Before the 2024 season, Harrison transferred to the University of Notre Dame to play his final season of college football. Soon after transferring, Harrison battled a plantar fasciitis strain, causing him to miss spring practices. Harrison started off his final season slowly, with few contributions as a receiver and a returner. Against Virginia, Harrison recorded 3 catches for 41 yards and his first touchdown as a receiver at Notre Dame. In the 2025 Sugar Bowl, Harrison returned a kick for a 98-yard touchdown, helping in securing a win against Georgia. In his sole season at Notre Dame, Harrison had 19 receptions for 211 yards with one receiving and returning touchdown.

Statistics Legend Bold Career high Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Kick returns 2019 Vanderbilt 0 0 2020 Vanderbilt 9 1 8 20 2.5 0 1 16 16.0 0 7 141 20.1 0 2021 Marshall 13 3 23 254 11.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 15 378 25.2 1 2022 Marshall 12 0 12 95 7.9 1 1 –4 –4.0 0 15 298 19.9 0 2023 Marshall 13 4 28 410 14.6 1 1 8 8.0 0 23 705 30.7 2 2024 Notre Dame 16 2 19 211 11.1 1 0 0 0.0 0 12 320 26.7 1 FBS career 63 10 90 990 11.0 5 3 20 6.7 0 72 1,842 25.6 4

Professional career On May 1, 2026, Harrison signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). On May 31, he was released as part of final roster cuts.