Avant with the Eagles in 2013 | |||||||
No. 81 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | April 20, 1983||||||
Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | Chicago (IL) Carver | ||||||
College: | Michigan | ||||||
NFL draft: | 2006 / Round: 4 / Pick: 109 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| |||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||
| |||||||
Player stats at PFR |
Jason Raye Avant (born April 20, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. Avant was also a member of the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs.
Avant attended Carver Military Academy in Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 2002. He spent his freshman year of high school in Decatur, IL at MacArthur High School. [1] While in high school at Carver, Avant played both on defense, as a free safety, and offense, as a wide receiver. He set school records for receptions (148), receiving yards (2,150), touchdowns (37), and interceptions (18). After his senior season, he was named a High School All-American at free safety. [2] He played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
At the University of Michigan, Avant played as a wide receiver and on special teams. He played sparingly as a freshman, but as a sophomore emerged as the Wolverines' number-two receiver, behind Braylon Edwards. During his sophomore season in 2003, Avant caught 47 passes for 772 yards. As a junior, he was the team's second leading receiver. In his senior year, Avant led the team in receptions (82), receiving yards (1,007), and receiving touchdowns (eight). [2]
In his final two seasons, Avant was named as a candidate for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver. After his senior season, he was named an honorable mention All-American and was given the Bo Schembechler Award as Michigan's most valuable player. [2]
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 0+1⁄2 in (1.84 m) | 212 lb (96 kg) | 32 in (0.81 m) | 8+7⁄8 in (0.23 m) | 4.62 s | 4.19 s | 7.02 s | 37.0 in (0.94 m) | 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) | 20 reps | |||
Sources: [3] [4] |
Avant was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. [5] The Eagles traded a sixth round draft pick and tackle Artis Hicks to the Minnesota Vikings for the pick used to take Avant. In a post-draft interview, Eagles head coach Andy Reid said Avant "has great hands, toughness, leadership; he's very intelligent and a good route runner." [6] Scouting reports projected him as a consistent possession receiver who lacked the speed to be a deep threat. [2] [7]
As a part of the Eagles crowded receiving corps, [2] Avant saw limited playing time with the offense in his rookie season. He had his best performance—four receptions for forty yards and one touchdown—in the final game of the season, while the Eagles rested their starters for the playoffs.
After the 2009 season, in which he set new career-highs in all three categories with 41 receptions for 587 yards and 3 touchdowns, Avant was named to the USA Today All-Joe Team for his stellar play in the slot position. [8] 32 of Avant's 37 catches on third down resulted in a first down.
He was re-signed to a five-year contract on March 8, 2010. [9] He was named the Eagles' Ed Block Courage Award recipient for 2010.
Avant was released from the Philadelphia Eagles on March 4, 2014. [10] The move was unanticipated and came shortly after re-signing Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin. [11]
On April 7, 2014, Avant signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. [12] In week 2 against the Detroit Lions, Avant scored his first touchdown with the Panthers in a 24-7 win, finishing the game with five catches for 54 yards as well. It was Cam Newton's first touchdown pass of the season as he had not played in week 1. [13]
On November 18, 2014, Avant was released by the Panthers. [14] Coach Ron Rivera stated that Avant was released to allow more opportunities for rookie receiver Philly Brown. [15]
Avant signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in November 2014, reuniting him with his former Eagles coach Andy Reid. He finished the 2014 season with 34 receptions, 352 yards and only 1 TD. On March 13, 2015, he re-signed with the Chiefs. [16]
In Avant's 2015 season, he recorded only 15 catches for 119 yards for zero touchdowns. Avant was held without a catch 9 out of the 16 games he played. [17] Avant had his best game of the season in a Divisional Playoff loss to the New England Patriots, having 4 receptions for 69 yards.
Legend | |
---|---|
Bold | Career high |
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
2006 | PHI | 8 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 68 | 9.7 | 18 | 1 |
2007 | PHI | 15 | 5 | 33 | 23 | 267 | 11.6 | 31 | 2 |
2008 | PHI | 15 | 6 | 57 | 32 | 377 | 11.8 | 31 | 2 |
2009 | PHI | 16 | 9 | 58 | 41 | 587 | 14.3 | 58 | 3 |
2010 | PHI | 16 | 3 | 76 | 51 | 573 | 11.2 | 34 | 1 |
2011 | PHI | 16 | 7 | 81 | 52 | 679 | 13.1 | 35 | 1 |
2012 | PHI | 14 | 6 | 76 | 53 | 648 | 12.2 | 39 | 0 |
2013 | PHI | 16 | 13 | 77 | 38 | 447 | 11.8 | 31 | 2 |
2014 | CAR | 11 | 0 | 40 | 21 | 201 | 9.6 | 22 | 1 |
KAN | 5 | 0 | 22 | 13 | 152 | 11.7 | 41 | 0 | |
2015 | KAN | 16 | 1 | 24 | 15 | 119 | 7.9 | 20 | 0 |
148 | 53 | 558 | 346 | 4,118 | 11.9 | 58 | 13 |
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
2006 | PHI | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | PHI | 3 | 2 | 16 | 11 | 113 | 10.3 | 21 | 0 |
2009 | PHI | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 32 | 16.0 | 20 | 0 |
2010 | PHI | 1 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 93 | 13.3 | 24 | 1 |
2013 | PHI | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 21 | 4.2 | 6 | 0 |
2015 | KAN | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 69 | 17.3 | 26 | 0 |
10 | 5 | 39 | 29 | 328 | 11.3 | 26 | 1 |
Avant is an avid Scrabble player. [18] During Chris Berman's "Fastest Three Minutes" he referred to him as Jason "You Can't Always Get What" Avant. [19] Avant and his wife, Stacy, live in Clementon, New Jersey.[ citation needed ] He is the son of Jerry Avant and Claudette Patrick. His brother, Edwon Simmons, was a baseball player, who was drafted by Baltimore Orioles and was a safety at San Diego State. He is now a talent scout for a sports agency in Chicago. [20]
Avant is a Christian. Avant has spoken about his faith saying "I devoted my life to Jesus Christ on May 4, 2003. It was a day when, if you can imagine it, your eyes are opened to a whole different light. On that day, I had a consciousness of God that I never really had before. It’s sort of like being in darkness, but you finally start to see. I realized that day that all of the stuff that I learned growing up was backwards, according to the Scripture. It was the day that changed my life. I started realizing that I had a purpose, and every thought from that day on went through a filter of Jesus Christ first. Before I can make a decision I have to think, ʻWould it be pleasing to God?’". [21]
As of 2017, Avant opened up and runs Launch, a trampoline park in Deptford Township, New Jersey. [22]
Reggie Brown is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft.
DeSean William Jackson is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears, where he was recognized as a two-time, first-team All-American in 2006 and 2007. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft, and also played for the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore Ravens. Jackson was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a wide receiver and return specialist.
Brent Steven Celek is an American football executive and former tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Cincinnati and was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played his entire 11 season career with the Eagles. Celek helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots during the 2017 season; he subsequently retired that offseason.
Jeremy Maclin is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers, twice earning consensus All-American honors. Maclin was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, making a Pro Bowl appearance in 2014 with the Eagles. Maclin retired in 2019.
Riley Cooper is a former American football wide receiver who played six seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Florida, where he was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. He was selected by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft.
Zachary Adam Ertz is an American football tight end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2012 before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. Ertz played nine seasons with the Eagles, making three Pro Bowls and winning Super Bowl LII with them. He holds the NFL record for most receptions in a season by a tight end and has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions. His wife Julie is a former member of the United States women's national soccer team.
Jordan Armand Matthews is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Vanderbilt and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. Matthews started his NFL career as a wide receiver before switching positions after the 2020 season.
Nelson Efamehule Agholor is a Nigerian-American football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. During his five seasons with the Eagles, he won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LII. Agholor also played one season with the Las Vegas Raiders before joining the New England Patriots.
Kelvin Benjamin is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
Christian Conley is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Georgia. He was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs and has also played in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans.
Calvin Orin Ridley is an American football wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he was a part of the national championship-winning teams in 2015 and 2017. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020.
Sterling Clay Shepard is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma. Shepard was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Mack Hollins is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Michael Gallup is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Butler Community College before transferring to Colorado State, where he was a consensus All-American in 2017. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Lance Lenoir is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Western Illinois.
Denniston Oliver "D. J." Moore Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Maryland, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. Moore was traded to the Bears in March 2023.
Hakeem Butler is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa State, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, BC Lions, Edmonton Elks, Pittsburgh Steelers, and St. Louis Battlehawks.
Jalen Armand Reagor is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at TCU and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. He has also played for the Minnesota Vikings.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is an American professional football player who is a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. He has also played for the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs.
Tommy Tremble is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.