Former Tennessee safety Jaylen McCollough recorded his first NFL interception on Saturday during the Rams’ game against the Chargers.
With the two Los Angeles teams knotted at three late in the second quarter, Chargers quarterback Easton Stick fired a pass over the middle of the field, which was tipped into the secondary by the Chargers receiving target.
McCollough reacted to the ball, diving to his left as he redirected his momentum previously moving forward. The former Vol hauled in the football before it reached the ground and was tackled right away.
McCollough, No. 39 on the field, recorded the interception in just his second preseason game with the Rams.
Tip drill ‼️ Jaylen McCollough makes the play ‼️
📺 @ABC7 | 📲 https://t.co/4beUdm4vkg pic.twitter.com/ZeNl7ZD2G4
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 18, 2024
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The former Vol finished the game with three total tackles and one interception.
McCollough made his NFL debut last week against the Dallas Cowboys and found plenty of time on the field with Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett IV tossing four interceptions on the day. McCollough tallied five solo tackles in the Rams’ 13-12 victory over the Cowboys.
2 preseason games. 2 wins. 🤝
🤳 @Jay_Mccollough2 pic.twitter.com/YJUyloVsws
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 18, 2024
McCollough’s interception garnered the attention of former Vol teammate and current Rams teammate Byron Young:
— B.Y. (@byron_97) August 18, 2024
McCollough spent five seasons with Tennessee and was a key piece in the coaching staff turnover between 2020 and 2021. The Georgia native started eight games and played in all 10 during Jeremy Pruitt’s final season with Tennessee, setting himself up as a returning starter for Josh Heupel’s first season with the program.
McCollough went on to start all 13 games in 2021, 11 games in 2022, and all 13 games in 2023. “Tank”, as he was nicknamed at Tennessee, turned his his best career season as a senior with the Vols. McCollough put up an 85.8 defensive grade according to Pro Football Focus, which led all SEC safeties in 2023. In 60 career games played with Tennessee, McCollough recorded one touchdown, six interceptions, 241 tackles, 160 solo tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
McCollough signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. With a sharp reaction on a tipped pass on Saturday and eight tackles through the first two games, the former Vol is certainly looking to make the most of his opportunity.
