Welcome Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon (R3, Pick 86)

[Bolt-O]

With the 86th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select

[Fleet 1]

Big ole 1T.

[Factotum]

He is actually pick #86 but who's counting

[captaind]

Poona's heir?

[rensoul]

I think this guy has some really good short area quickness for a 330 pound guy.

[21&500]

Welcome big guy.
clog that middle sir.

[wu-dai clan]

Very active. Sufficient girth.
Zierlein likes him.

[21&500]

The BEAST:

2025
All defensive tackles
dt18
NOT RANKED IN TOP 100
LAC
RD
3
PK
22 Jamaree Caldwell

Oregon

HT

6′2″

WT

332

YR

6SR

AGE

24.65
Jump to:
Overview
Strengths
Weaknesses
Background
Stats Overview

hometown
Newberry, SC
high school
Newberry
birthday
Aug. 30, 2000
jersey
#90

A one-year starter at Oregon, Caldwell was the nose tackle (zero-/2i-technique) in defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi’s multiple fronts. After temporarily stepping away from football in 2020, he walked on at the junior college level and worked his way to Houston, where he became a disruptive three-technique (despite playing the entire 2023 season with a hard cast after breaking his hand in the opener). After transferring to Oregon, he showed his willingness to do whatever was asked by adding weight and playing more of a plugger role (2.1 tackles per game in 2024).

Caldwell is an interesting study, because he has the look of a squatty nose but the quickness and activity level of a one-gapper with the potential to impact the backfield (Caldwell: “I see myself as a pure three-tech, but I can do both.”). He can explode into blockers to create pop, although I worry about NFL centers reaching/sealing him — he needs to be more consistent with his hands for quicker sheds, if he hopes to turn his potential into more production. Overall, the tape runs hot and cold for Caldwell, and he plays with a confused identity. However, he has an interesting collection of traits and put a little bit of everything on tape, which will make him appealing to different schemes. I like him best as a rotational one-technique who can stay on the field on passing downs.

grade4th Round Testing

combine

6021

332

93/8″

32″

783/8″

5.16

3.05

1.86

27″

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

No BJ, SS, three-cone, bench (choice)

pro day

6021

331

95/8″

32″

78″

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

DNP

Glossary

Back to top Strengths

1. Played three-technique at Houston and nose tackle at Oregon — offers experience at both
2. Carries weight smoothly for thick 332-pounder
3. Flashes short-area quickness to attack edges and play in gaps
4. Built low and wins with leverage to play underneath blocks
5. Can deliver blows and put blockers on their heels
6. Strong through his core and hips to maintain positioning
7. Steady activity level, with ball-searching eyes
8. Blocked a pair of field goals in two seasons at Houston
9. Played entire 2023 season with a hard cast after breaking his left hand in the opener
10. Started every game in 2024 and was a consistent presence

Back to top Weaknesses

1. Played a tad heavy in 2024 — admittedly needs to stay in better shape
2. Longer blockers can get to him and cut him off
3. Needs to develop more consistent handwork to protect frame
4. Will freelance at times and doesn’t always play gap sound
5. Inconsistent rush plan — needs to better set up moves
6. Predictable movements — needs to develop more of a go-to move, aside from quickness
7. Willingly leaves feet (and missed tackles start to pile up)
8. Below-average backfield production in one season at Oregon

Back to top Background


Jamaree Caldwell, the middle of three boys, was born and raised in Newberry, S.C., with his parents (Cecil and Shonda). His father played on the defensive line at South Carolina and for two seasons with the Cleveland Browns (2001-02) after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft. Cecil played four more seasons professionally in the Arena League (2003-06). Jamaree’s uncle (Larry Werts) played linebacker at Jackson State (1977-80) and was an eighth-round pick (No. 200) in the 1981 NFL Draft. Jamaree Caldwell started playing football “the earliest he could,” around age 5. Originally a running back throughout youth ball, he also played AAU basketball. At age 11, Caldwell moved to the Charlotte, N.C., area. He continued playing football in middle school and moved to the defensive line.

Caldwell originally attended East Gaston High in Mount Holly, N.C., where he was a three-year varsity letterman on the defensive line. He was part of the starting mix as a junior in 2017, as the team struggled to two wins. Looking for a different situation, Caldwell moved back to Newberry before his senior season and transferred to Newberry High (his father’s alma mater). He played both ways as a senior and got his first reps on the offensive line, primarily at left guard. Caldwell helped Newberry make the 3A state playoffs in 2018.

A no-star recruit, Caldwell wasn’t ranked by online recruiting services in the 2019 class. Without a ton of tape, he was overlooked by FBS programs. Caldwell received a few offers from Division II programs, but he chose junior college and signed with Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College as an offensive lineman. After one season primarily spent on the scout team, Caldwell moved back home when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and walked away from football, unsure what the future would hold. After almost a year, he decided he wasn’t ready to give up his football dreams and walked on at Independence (Kan.) Community College — and returned to the defensive line.

Caldwell did enough to attract attention from both FCS and FBS programs. He received some looks from SEC schools but didn’t have enough credits to qualify. Caldwell had developed a close bond with Houston defensive line coach Brian Early, who became a “second dad” for him. He signed with former head coach Dana Holgorsen as part of Houston’s 2022 class. Caldwell had his breakout season in 2023 and decided to enter the transfer portal after Holgorsen, Early and the rest of the coaching staff were let go. He wanted to play in the Big Ten, and Oregon gave him that opportunity — he transitioned to nose tackle with the Ducks. Caldwell accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Back to top Stats

Defense

2022	Houston	9	0	12	3.5	2.0	0	0	0
2023	Houston	11	10	26	8.5	6.5	1	0	0
2024	Oregon	14	14	29	4.5	0.0	1	3	0
Total		34	24	67	16.5	8.5	2	3	0

Notes & Awards

2020	—	Did not play football
2022	Houston	Blocked FG
2023	Houston	Blocked FG
2024	Oregon	Honorable Mention All-Big Ten

Glossary

[DerwinBosa]

We didn't get a stud defensive tackle in the first round. The Steelers grabbed Derrick Harmon right before our pick. But at least we added much needed depth in Caldwell. I'd like to see us add another defensive tackle at some point tomorrow.

[Boltx]

Space eater.

[Rugger05]

Great pick. Dude has some insane quickness for someone that big

[Formula 21]

He seems to be somewhat inexperienced which means lots of upside.