While some Mississippians did hear their names called during the 2024 NFL Draft, other players with Magnolia State ties were picked up as undrafted free agents (UDFA). While the path may be unconventional, former Ole Miss linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste is ready to make his mark with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Jean-Baptiste, who played four seasons at Central Florida before using his final year of eligibility under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, believes being an UDFA will just be another chapter to his so-far successful story.
“With the NFL, man, you never know when your name’s going to be called, but it’s always best to put your best foot forward and put all the work in whether you go drafted or undrafted,” Jean-Baptiste said during a recent appearance on SportsTalk Mississippi. “Everybody has a different story and it’s written in a different way. I’m super blessed and fortunate to be here. I wouldn’t be here without the man above and I’m just excited to be part of the NFL and ready to work.”
During his lone season in Oxford, Jean-Baptiste was fifth on the team with 54 tackles with 4.5 of them being for loss. While he feels he has grown on the field under Kiffin and defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s tutelage, Jean-Baptiste said what he’s learned off the field has been just as helpful in preparing for his rookie year.
“Going through Coach Kiffin’s system, he’s prepped us for situations like this,” Jean-Baptiste said. “Getting this whole entire year in Coach Golding’s defense, I feel like it’s brought me to another level in my game – understanding the game more, film study, seeing what the offense likes to do – and on top of that, he teaches an NFL defense … So, a special thanks to Pete Golding and the Ole Miss coaching staff for sure.”
Rookie camp for Jean-Baptiste and all the other Chargers first-year players – which also includes Joe Alt (Notre Dame, OT), Ladd McConkey (Georgia, WR), and Junior Colson (Michigan, LB) – will begin on May 13 and last until July 1. Jean-Baptiste promises if first-year Los Angeles head coach Jim Harbaugh and company give him a chance, he will without a doubt make plays while being a good presence in the locker room.
“I feel like I’m more than ready to go in there and be me, to put my best foot forward, smile, and shake hands,” he concluded. “You can put me anywhere on the field and I guarantee you I’ll make plays. I know I’ll come in there and put up some great numbers [and] put up lots of production.”
