Jay Pearson
-
- Height:
- 6'2
-
- Weight:
- 250
-
- Position:
- LB
-
- Year:
- 2
-
- Previous College:
- UT-Chattanooga
Bio
Jay Person brings experience from both the National Football League and Canadian Football League to the Pirates.
Last season Person played in 13 games with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL making four tackles, recording a sack and he scored a touchdown in a game August 2.
The 6’2”, 250 lb. Person began his professional career in 2024 spending time in both the NFL and the CFL. After not being selected in the NFL Draft, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots in May of 2024. That same season he joined the Toronto Argonauts in July and stayed with the team for three weeks. He was then signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and remained there until the final roster cuts. Person inked a deal with his fourth team, Winnipeg, in September and at the end of the season signed on to their practice squad.
The Cleveland, Tennessee played collegiately at Appalachian State in 2018 and then transferred to the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, playing from 2019 through 2023.
At Appalachian State he redshirted playing in two games making two tackles with the Mountaineers.
Person excelled from 2019 through 2023 at Tennessee Chattanooga and appeared in 49 games making 38 starts. He had an outstanding career with the Mocs as he was a two-time First Team All-American in 2022 and 2023. A two-time Southern Conference Defensive player of the year, Person was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award in 2022 and 2023.
He finished his career at UTC with 233 tackles. He left the school ranking second with 56 tackles for a loss and was fourth in sacks with 27. He also recorded nine forced fumbles and had three fumble recoveries. A four-time All-Conference performer, Person earned his degree in Health and Human Performance.
News mentions
TUCSON, AZ - The Orlando Pirates will look to put a two-game winning streak together when they travel to the Tucson Arena to face the Sugar Skulls on Saturday at 9:00 p.m. The Pirates (5-3) are fresh off a third-place finish at the first-ever Indoor Football League Cup following a 41-11 victory over New Mexico last week. Tucson (2-6) is currently in fifth place in the IFL’s Western Conference, suffering a four-game losing streak.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Orlando Pirates are back in the win column following their 41-11 victory over the New Mexico Chupacabras in the third place game of the inaugural IFL Cup on Sunday at the American Dream. Orlando (5-3) recorded its first win away from the Kia Center since the season opener on March 22nd, while New Mexico (1-7) was handed its fifth consecutive defeat.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Orlando Pirates will look to rebound from Monday’s loss to Vegas with a victory on Sunday at the American Dream Arena at 12:00 p.m. in the second round of the inaugural Indoor Football League Cup. The Pirates (4-3) are seeking their first victory away from home since defeating the New Mexico Chupacabras to open the 2026 IFL campaign. Orlando has lost its last three road games this season. The Chupacabras enter Sunday’s contest at 1-6, amidst a four-game losing streak, sitting in sixth place in the IFL Western Conference.