Gang Green Nation
Over the next few months, we’ll be breaking down all undrafted free agents signed by the Jets. We continue today with former Hawaii and Incarnate Word wide receiver Jalen Walthall.
The 23-year old Walthall is listed at 6’0” and 191 pounds and was initially an undrafted free agent signing for the Texans. The Jets picked him up earlier this month when he was released by them. After catching 37 passes in two years at Hawaii, Walthall transferred to Incarnate Word and posted almost 1,300 receiving yards with 14 touchdowns in 2024, but his production was down last season.
Background
Walthall was a three-star high school recruit who headed to Hawaii and redshirted the 2021 season. He had a promising redshirt freshman season with 27 receptions for 333 yards and a touchdown, but announced he would be transferring five games into his second season. At the time, he had just 10 catches for 127 yards despite starting three times.
He went on to transfer to Incarnate Word and had a breakout campaign with them at the FCS level in 2024. He had 85 catches for 1,290 yards and 14 touchdowns. This saw him named as a first-team FCS all-American and the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
In 2025, Walthall was a little banged up, and his production dipped but he was still good enough to earn first team all-Southland Conference honors for the second straight season as he had 70 receptions for 847 yards and eight touchdowns. That production also came in four fewer games.
Walthall was invited to the scouting combine and regarded as one of the top small-school receivers in the draft but did not get selected and Houston picked him up as an undrafted free agent. The Jets acquired Walthall when he was released by the Texans in early June.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Walthall brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Walthall has average size and could probably do with bulking up a little for the NFL. As noted, he was invited to the combine where he ran a slightly disappointing 4.57 in the 40-yard dash but posted an excellent 131-inch broad jump.
At his pro day, he failed to improve on his 40-yard dash but did increase his vertical jump from 35 inches to 38.5. He also did the agility drills, posting modest numbers, but did not participate in the bench press.
Usage
In college, Walthall played primarily on the outside with less than 10 percent of his snaps coming in the slot. He also carried four times for 50 yards in his career, with a longest run of 30 yards. All of those carries came last season with three in his final game.
Deep threat
Walthall definitely established himself as someone who could get behind the defense with his burst and acceleration at the FCS level. In 2024 alone, he had almost 500 yards on passes more than 20 yards beyond the line...
