Report: Boston College Football LB Jaylen Blackwell Enters Transfer Portal

After sustaining a season-ending injury seven games into the 2023 season, Blackwell has not suited up in a game since.

Oct 29, 2022; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies quarterback Zion Turner (11) runs at the ball against Boston College Eagles linebacker Jaylen Blackwell (8) in the first quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Boston College football linebacker Jaylen Blackwell has decided to enter the transfer portal, according to Chris Hummer, Matt Zenitz, and Cody Nagel of 247 Sports, as well as Pete Nakos of On3.

Boston College linebacker Jaylen Blackwell is entering the transfer portal, his reps @DreamMakersTM tell @chris_hummer, @mzenitz and @CodyNagel247.

The 6-foot-1, 227-pounder had 20 total tackles, 2.0 TFLs and 0.5 sacks in 18 games career games played.https://t.co/FcypdcwStd pic.twitter.com/AJPLtjez46

— 247Sports Transfer Portal (@247SportsPortal) January 3, 2026

Boston College LB Jaylen Blackwell is entering the transfer portal, his reps @DreamMakersTM tell @PeteNakos.

Has 34 career tackles and 2.5 sacks. https://t.co/kSYG7dZ8sR pic.twitter.com/m3IZSnUln5

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 3, 2026

A redshirt senior last year, Blackwell missed all of the last two seasons — 2025 and 2024 — due to injury.

In 2023, as a redshirt sophomore, the 6-foot-1, 227-pound Atlanta, Ga., native appeared in seven games with two starts before he sustained a season-ending injury. He collected 11 tackles and posted a season-high seven tackles and a sack against Rutgers on Sept. 3, 2023.

In his first season on the Heights, Blackwell was able to maintain his redshirt after playing in just three games, in which he amassed two tackles. He played in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2022, manufacturing 20 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. 

Prior to his arrival in Chestnut Hill, Mass., Blackwell was a three-star prospect by ESPN and the No. 132 safety in the country, including Georgia’s No. 170 prospect. A product of Union Grove High School, he earned All-Region and All-Henry County honors as a junior.

Blackwell played running back in high school in addition to safety. He entered his senior year with 1,048 career rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on top of 62 tackles, five tackles for loss, and an interception, helping lead Union Grove to the Georgia state playoffs.

Blackwell is now the 27th current or former player from the program to enter the transfer portal, which officially opened on Friday at midnight.

He joins:

1. TE Ty Lockwood 
2. DB Ashton McShane
3. LB Daveon “Bam Crouch
4. DL Edwin Kolenge
5. WR Reed Harris
6. RB Turbo Richard
7. TE Stevie Amar Jr. 
8. WR Cedric Lott Jr. 
9. DL Ty Clemons
10. OL Jack Funke
11. WR/RB Datrell Jones
12. LB Jason Hewlett Jr. 
13. QB Dylan Lonergan
14. DL Sterling Sanders
15. OL Jadon Lafontant
16. WR Nate Johnson III
17. OL Eryx Daugherty
18. DE Jayden Fry
19. DB Omarion Davis
20. TE Matt Ragan (former player, 2022-24)
21. LB Tim Hays
22. DB Omar Thornton
23. WR Semaj Fleming
24. QB Shaker Reisig
25. LB Bryce Steele
26. RB Alex Broome

There will be just one transfer portal window this year, which closes on Jan. 16.

So far, the Eagles have added just one player from the portal this offseason — former Holy Cross tight end/long snapper John Owens, a 2025 Patriot League Second Team All-Conference selection.

Meanwhile, in the wake of Blackwell's departure, along with a couple dozen others from the 2025 roster, starting safety and 2025 team captain KP Price announced his decision to return for his senior year.