In the world of college football recruiting, it’s rare to find an athlete who commands equal attention on the hardwood as he does on the gridiron. But that’s exactly the case with Alabama’s latest 2025 tight end commit—a towering, goggles-wearing phenom from California who didn’t just dominate the basketball courts of the West Coast… he terrorized them.
Meet Jalen “Jet” Whitmore, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound multi-sport marvel from Long Beach, California. Known as much for his thunderous dunks and uncanny court vision as he is for bulldozing defenders and leaping over linebackers, Whitmore is redefining what it means to be a modern tight end. With his signature Rec Specs strapped firmly to his face, he’s become one of the most distinctive—and fearsome—prospects in the 2025 class.
A Legend Born on the Blacktop
Jalen Whitmore didn’t start out dreaming of Saturdays in the SEC or Sundays in the NFL. For most of his childhood, it was basketball that captivated his imagination. From the time he was six, he was lacing up Nikes and modeling his game after Magic Johnson, LeBron James, and—his favorite—Russell Westbrook. He’d emulate their moves, tape up his wrists, and run pickup games at King Park Playground until the sun dipped behind the Long Beach skyline.
But there was one problem: Whitmore needed glasses. Badly.
“I couldn’t see the basket from the free-throw line,” he admitted with a laugh in a recent interview. “My mom finally got tired of me clanking shots off the backboard and said, ‘We’re getting you goggles.’”
The rest, as they say, is history.
Once the goggles went on, something clicked. Whitmore started seeing the game in a whole new light—literally and figuratively. Suddenly, he wasn’t just a good player—he was dominant. His court vision improved. His passing got crisper. And his already tenacious style of play became relentless. By the time he entered high school, he was one of the most exciting young hoopers in Southern California.
Dominating Two Courts: The Rise of a Dual-Sport Star
At Long Beach Poly High School, a historic pipeline for elite athletic talent, Whitmore quickly became a household name. As a freshman, he averaged 16.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game for the Jackrabbits’ basketball team. Coaches marveled at his ability to guard five positions, push the break like a point forward, and dunk over opponents with frightening ease.
But what really set him apart? His physicality.
“Jalen had a football player’s mentality on the basketball court,” said Poly head basketball coach Shelton Diggs. “He didn’t back down from contact. He welcomed it. You couldn’t bully him because he was always the bully.”
That physicality didn’t go unnoticed by the football coaching staff.
Midway through his sophomore year, Whitmore was persuaded to give football a try—just one game, just to see what would happen. That experiment turned into a full-fledged revelation.
Lining up at tight end, Whitmore was a mismatch nightmare. Too fast for linebackers, too strong for safeties, and with hands soft enough to palm a basketball, he quickly became the go-to target in Poly’s offense. In just eight games, he racked up 41 catches for 723 yards and nine touchdowns, earning All-CIF Southern Section honors and an avalanche of recruiting attention.
The Goggles Become Iconic
While his skillset made waves, it was Whitmore’s goggles that made him an icon.
In an era when players carefully curate their image on Instagram and TikTok, Whitmore didn’t try to hide or switch out his trademark eyewear. In fact, he embraced it—turning what could have been seen as a weakness into a source of strength.
“People used to clown me at first,” he said. “Then I started dunking on them with the goggles on.”
It wasn’t long before fans started calling him “The Jet in Specs.” Social media posts of his high-flying dunks and acrobatic football catches began going viral. Clips of Whitmore trucking defenders, then posterizing opponents in the same week, turned him into a West Coast legend.
His look even caught the attention of some big names. LeBron James reposted a Whitmore highlight on his Instagram story. NFL tight end George Kittle sent him a message, saying, “You’ve got the juice, kid.”
Nick Saban May Be Gone, But Alabama Still Seals the Deal
By his junior year, Whitmore had offers from every blue blood program in America. USC, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, and Michigan all rolled out the red carpet. But it was Alabama—now under the leadership of head coach Kalen DeBoer—that made the strongest impression.
“People think Bama’s just about power football, but Coach DeBoer really sold me on the evolution of the tight end in their offense,” Whitmore said. “They’re going to use me like a weapon—line me up in the slot, split me out wide, in-line when needed. It’s a perfect fit.”
The Tide’s recent success with hybrid tight ends like Jahleel Billingsley and Amari Niblack played a role too. But it was the culture, the championship pedigree, and the player development that sealed it.
In a national broadcast on ESPN2, flanked by his parents, teammates, and a backdrop of crimson and houndstooth, Whitmore made it official.
“I’m taking my talents to Tuscaloosa,” he said, slipping on an Alabama hat—goggles still on.
What Alabama’s Getting
Make no mistake—Jalen Whitmore isn’t just a novelty. He’s not just a basketball player moonlighting on the football field. He’s a legitimate five-star talent with sky-high upside.
At 6’6” with a reported 82-inch wingspan, Whitmore combines rare physical tools with an elite athletic profile. His vertical leap (measured at 38 inches) and shuttle times are comparable to top wide receivers. But what separates him is his feel for the game—his ability to read zones, adjust on the fly, and outmuscle defenders at the catch point.
His blocking, while still developing, shows promise thanks to his leverage, strength, and willingness to engage. But it’s as a pass catcher where he’ll make his early impact.
“Think Kyle Pitts meets Julius Peppers,” one scout remarked. “This kid is a unicorn.”
And let’s not forget his basketball roots. The footwork, body control, and hand-eye coordination honed on the court have translated seamlessly to the field. Whitmore has a knack for boxing out defenders, high-pointing the ball, and contorting midair for circus catches.
Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan was practically giddy after securing the commitment.
“He’s the kind of guy you build a scheme around,” Sheridan said. “Red zone, third down, two-minute drill—he’s going to be our security blanket and our X-factor.”
Basketball Dreams on Hold… For Now
As much as he loves football, Whitmore hasn’t completely closed the door on basketball.
“I still hoop,” he said. “I’m in the gym all the time. You never know—Coach Oats might need a stretch four one day.”
There’s even talk that Alabama might let him pull a two-sport move a la Julius Thomas or Antonio Gates. While the logistics would be tricky, especially in the physically demanding SEC, Whitmore has the drive and discipline to pull it off.
For now, though, his focus is on bulking up, learning the playbook, and making an immediate impact when he hits Tuscaloosa in 2025.
The Next Generation of Tight Ends
Whitmore represents a new wave of tight ends: athletic, versatile, and fearless. He’s as comfortable in a pick-and-roll as he is running a seam route. He can break a press in basketball or a tackle in football. He’s a brand unto himself, and his star is only rising.
In an age of NIL deals and personal branding, Whitmore has leaned all the way in. He recently trademarked “Jet in Specs” and has already signed endorsement deals with a sports eyewear company and a national shoe brand. Expect to see his face on billboards, TikToks, and highlight reels for years to come.
But beneath the hype, beneath the goggles and the gravity-defying plays, there’s a humble kid from Long Beach who just loves to compete.
“I don’t care if it’s football, basketball, or dominoes—I want to win,” he said. “Alabama’s getting a warrior. And I’m bringing the goggles with me.”
Final Thoughts
Alabama has had its fair share of legends—Julio Jones, Derrick Henry, Mark Ingram, Tua Tagovailoa. But in Jalen Whitmore, they may have their most unique weapon yet. A baller who brings the flair of Showtime basketball to the most physical position in football. A new-age gladiator with an old-school mentality and a pair of goggles that have become his trademark.