Where Are They Now: Jaiquawn Jarrett

Catch Up with the Jets Legend from Temple

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Jaiquawn Jarrett was a loyal supporter of all of New York’s major teams – football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. But after joining the Jets as a free agent in 2012, he became a passionate member of one of those teams, shedding his former neutrality.

A safety drafted by Philadelphia in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Temple, Jarrett was waived by the Eagles in September 2012. After a challenging few months, he signed a futures contract with the Jets on the final day of the year.

“Being cut is never an easy thing to do,” Jarrett said. “I had a really good support system who continued to support me going through that journey. And I think relying on that and just continuing to grind, work, and keep your faith really helped me.”

When he spoke with the Jets’ coaches, they told him to simply be himself. “Just come here and be the best version of yourself and bring your relentlessness, toughness, smarts, and intangibles to the game,” he recalled. “Things I knew I was capable of doing.”

Jarrett made his first start as a Jet in a 2013 Week 5 Monday night game in Atlanta, where he recorded seven tackles and a quarterback hit, helping secure a 30-28 win over the Falcons.

“We knew Atlanta had a ton of skilled players, Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Matt Ryan was going to put the ball in great places,” Jarrett said. “But the front seven did a phenomenal job that game, almost every play was in the backfield, applying pressure to Matt Ryan.”

The following season, Jarrett made his first start of the year against Pittsburgh at MetLife Stadium in Week 10. He put together an impressive performance with 10 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions of Ben Roethlisberger in the Jets’ 20-13 victory. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

“That Steelers team was really explosive,” Jarrett said. “The emphasis was to stay focused, be physical, and make sure you take advantage of the opportunities when they came.”

Playing Alongside Hall of Famers

Jarrett’s time with the Jets also brought him the honor of sharing the field with future Hall of Famer Ed Reed. “Saying I played with a Hall of Famer… on the same field, in the same locker room, the same meeting room was amazing,” Jarrett said. “His work ethic and how he took care of his body was something I learned from.”

Another key mentor was safety Dawan Landry. “Dawan was one of the ultimate pros on and off the field,” Jarrett said. “He mentored us and brought the same attitude every day.”

Life After Football

Following his playing career, Jarrett pursued the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, where he was mentored by Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. He worked with the team on the field, evaluated free-agent workouts, and sat in on meetings.

In 2019, Jarrett returned to Temple University, where he shadowed then-co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Fran Brown. It was during this time that he realized his true calling: to help develop players off the field.

“I would talk to some of the guys, not really saying who I am or what I did,” Jarrett said. “And one day at breakfast, four or five guys sat down with me, and we just talked. That’s when it hit me that I’d love to help young men become the best versions of themselves.”

Five years ago, Jarrett joined Matt Rhule’s staff at the Carolina Panthers as their Assistant Director of Player Affairs, following Rhule’s departure from Temple. In his current role, Jarrett helps players transition to the NFL and their new cities.

“I get the chance to work with the name on the back of the jersey, and the coaches work with the number,” Jarrett said. “It’s rewarding to help develop players professionally and personally, assist them with their transition, and support their families.”

While coaching seemed like the natural path at first, Jarrett found more fulfillment in working off the field. “I’m not in this to be acknowledged,” he said. “I love being behind the scenes, building relationships based on trust. We just want them to be successful and happy.”

Now living in suburban Charlotte, NC, with his wife Charisma and daughter Skyler, Jarrett has learned the value of patience and communication.

“Learning how to have patience, communicating better, and just going above and beyond to support wherever I can has been key for me,” Jarrett said. “I enjoy supporting the coaches, the players, and the staff. There’s no one in the building that we don’t offer support to.”