Rayuan Lane III Earns Roster Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars

In the high-stakes world of NFL roster cuts, where 90-man training camp rosters are trimmed to 53 in just a few weeks, few stories are as inspiring as that of Rayuan Lane III. The undrafted rookie linebacker, who played college football at Division II Winston-Salem State, defied the odds to earn a spot on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2025 regular-season roster—a feat made even more remarkable by the Jaguars’ deep linebacker corps. Lane wasn’t a preseason standout in terms of flashy stats, but his consistent effort, versatility, and willingness to contribute on special teams caught the eye of head coach Doug Pederson and defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell. Rayuan Lane III Earns Roster Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars isn’t just a roster update; it’s a testament to the power of hard work and resilience, and a reminder that NFL dreams can come true for players who refuse to be overlooked. For Lane, this spot is the culmination of years of grind—and the start of what he hopes will be a long NFL career.

Rayuan Lane III Earns Roster Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars first began to take shape during the Jaguars’ first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, where Lane turned in a performance that made coaches take notice. Playing primarily on special teams and as a backup middle linebacker, he recorded four tackles (two solo), forced a fumble on a kickoff return, and made a critical stop on fourth-and-1 to halt a Dolphins drive in the fourth quarter. What stood out most wasn’t just the stats, but his football IQ: he correctly read a Dolphins screen pass and blew it up for a 5-yard loss, and he communicated effectively with veteran linebackers to adjust coverage on a late-game drive. After the game, Pederson mentioned Lane in his press conference: “Rayuan has been consistent in practice, but tonight he showed he can perform when the lights are on. He’s smart, he’s physical, and he’s willing to do the dirty work—those are the kinds of players we want on our team.” Lane built on that performance in the next two preseason games, adding six more tackles and a pass breakup, and solidifying his case for a roster spot.

A key factor behind Rayuan Lane III Earns Roster Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars is Lane’s versatility, which makes him a valuable asset for a Jaguars team looking to add depth at multiple positions. In college, Lane played both middle linebacker and strongside linebacker, and he even lined up as a defensive end in short-yardage situations—experience that has translated well to the NFL. During training camp, the Jaguars used Lane at all three linebacker spots, and he also saw time on every special teams unit (kickoff return, punt return, kickoff coverage, punt coverage). This flexibility was crucial, as the Jaguars had several injuries at linebacker during camp, including a hamstring strain to starter Devin Lloyd. Lane stepped in and performed admirably in Lloyd’s absence, recording eight tackles in a scrimmage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Defensive line coach Terrell Williams praised Lane’s adaptability: “Rayuan doesn’t care where you put him—he just wants to help the team win. He picks up new schemes quickly, and he’s not afraid to ask questions. That kind of versatility is hard to find, especially in an undrafted rookie.”

Rayuan Lane III Earns Roster Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars also highlights the Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to finding hidden talent, even if it means looking beyond Power 5 colleges. The Jaguars have a history of giving undrafted players a chance to compete—over the last three seasons, they’ve kept at least two undrafted rookies on their opening-day roster—and Lane’s success fits perfectly with that philosophy. General manager Trent Baalke has long emphasized the importance of evaluating players based on their on-field performance, not their college pedigree: “We don’t care if a player went to a Division I school or a Division II school—if he can play football, we’ll give him a shot. Rayuan has proven he can play, and he’s earned this spot.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ scouting department first noticed Lane at a Division II all-star game last winter, where he impressed with his speed (4.52-second 40-yard dash) and strength (22 reps on the bench press). They signed him to a priority undrafted free agent deal with a $15,000 signing bonus— a small investment that has already paid off, as Lane is now expected to contribute on special teams and provide depth at linebacker.

Rayuan Lane III Earns Roster Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars further underscores the Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on building a culture of competition, where every player—regardless of draft status—has a chance to earn playing time. During camp, Lane was paired with veteran linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, who took the rookie under his wing and helped him learn the Jaguars’ defensive schemes. Oluokun, a Pro Bowl linebacker in 2023, was impressed by Lane’s work ethic: “Rayuan is the first one in the weight room every morning and the last one to leave practice. He’s always taking notes, and he’s constantly asking me questions about how to read offenses. That kind of dedication is contagious, and it makes the whole team better.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ coaching staff also played a role in Lane’s development, giving him extra reps in practice and providing detailed feedback on his technique. For Lane, this support was crucial: “The coaches and veterans never made me feel like an undrafted rookie—they treated me like a part of the team from day one. That gave me the confidence to go out there and play my best.”

The final takeaway from Rayuan Lane III Earns Roster Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars is that Lane’s story is more than just a feel-good moment—it’s a reminder of why NFL training camps are so special. Every year, hundreds of undrafted players show up to camp hoping to make a team, and only a handful succeed. Lane’s success is a testament to his talent, but more importantly, it’s a testament to his work ethic, his humility, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team. As the Jaguars prepare for the 2025 season, Lane is expected to play a key role on special teams, where he’ll be tasked with covering kicks and punts, and he’ll also be the first backup at middle linebacker. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, Lane’s presence adds depth and competition to a linebacker corps that already includes Oluokun and Lloyd, and it sends a message to other young players that hard work and dedication can pay off. As for Lane, he’s not taking this opportunity for granted: “I know how hard it is to make an NFL roster, and I’m going to keep working every day to prove I belong here. This is just the start—I want to help the Jaguars win games and make a playoff run.”