Jaelon Acklin

Jaelon D. Acklin was born on August 10, 1995, in Springfield, Missouri. He attended Liberty High School in Mountain View, Missouri.

Acklin played college football for the Western Illinois Leathernecks from 2014 to 2017. He caught 84 passes for 1,369 yards and 10 touchdowns his senior year, finishing with career totals of 105 receptions for 1,733 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Acklin was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent and participated in their 2018 training camp; however, after a hip injury near the end of camp, Acklin was released by the Ravens.^[2]

On March 20, 2019, Acklin signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.^[3][4] He participated in both of the Ticats' preseason games, recording 10 receptions for 85 yards.^[5][6] Following preseason and training camp, Acklin began the 2019 season on the team's practice roster.^[7] Following an injury to Luke Tasker, Acklin was made a starting wide receiver and played in his first professional game on June 22, 2019 against the Toronto Argonauts where he had five catches for 59 yards.^[8] He scored his first CFL touchdown on July 4, 2019 against the Montreal Alouettes.^[9] Acklin was voted the team nominee for the Most Outstanding Rookie award for the East Division champion Tiger-Cats.^[10] Acklin re-signed with the Tiger-Cats on January 2, 2021.^[11] He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 8, 2022.^[12]

On February 9, 2022, it was announced that Acklin had signed with the Ottawa Redblacks.^[13] Acklin enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 with the Redblacks, despite inconsistent quarterback play he posted career highs in receptions, targets and yards. Acklin missed a few games at the end of the season after suffering head and shoulder injuries after an illegal hit from Montreal Alouettes’ linebacker Micah Awe.^[14] Following the season Acklin had a workout with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL).^[15] On May 12, 2023, Acklin signed a two-year contract extension with the Redblacks.^[16] On August 24, 2024, Acklin was forced to leave the game against the BC Lions on a stretcher after he went up for a catch and then crashed awkwardly to the turf. ^[17] However, On the morning of August 25, 2024, the Redblacks sent out a message on social media saying Acklin had been released from the hospital and all scans were negative.^[18] He played in 16 games in 2024 where he had 69 receptions for 739 yards and four touchdowns. He announced his retirement on February 4, 2025.^[19]

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