Born in Redlands, California - a suburb community about 60 miles east of Los Angeles - Jaelan’s passion for music and athletics developed at a young age. Growing up in a house of musicians, music was in his blood. From a young age, Jaelan regularly attended symphony concerts to watch his grandfather -  world-renowned conductor and pianist - Jon Robertson, perform. Jalean began his own music journey at 7 years old, starting by playing the piano and eventually picking up the guitar in middle school, in addition to playing handbells and singing in a youth choir. 

Athletically, he played football, baseball, and basketball as a kid, before playing sports more competitively in middle and high school.  He played travel baseball when he was 10 years old and competed on the team that won a championship in Cooperstown, New York when he was 12 years old.

When Jaelan attended Redlands East Valley School, he was a multiple sport athlete competing in varsity football, baseball, volleyball, and track. During his sophomore season of football, his team won the state championship and, overnight, he went from being unranked to one of the most highly sought after edge rushers in the nation. By the time Jaelan committed to play football at UCLA, he was being recruited by nearly every major football program in the nation and was ranked the #1 recruit in the country by 247Sports.

Jaelan’s time at UCLA had a noteworthy beginning, but ended abruptly. Unfortunately, injuries led to him retiring from football and leaving UCLA. Unsure about his future, he returned to his musical roots. He enrolled at Los Angeles City College (LACC) and took music engineering and production classes through the Herb Albert Music Center. He knew immediately that he wanted to pursue a career in music. But the football gods were not done with him. Jaelan began looking for a school with a strong music production program and a strong football program. He applied for and was accepted to the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and the rest, as they say, is history. While he was unable to complete a music degree due to scheduling conflicts and declaring for the draft early, he still developed a relationship with the Frost School of Music that, through his foundation, will grow to benefit youth in the greater Miami area.

During the one season that he played for “The U,” he recorded impressive stats, including 8 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss, solidifying his reputation as one of the top defensive prospects in the nation, and earning him All-American recognition. Following his stellar performance, Jaelan declared for the NFL draft and was selected 18th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2021 NFL draft. Since joining the Dolphins, he has continued to develop and contribute significantly to their defense, showcasing his skills as a formidable pass rusher and a key player on the team.

Jaelan has made a name for himself both on and off the field. On the field, he broke the Dolphin’s rookie sack record and has continued to hone his skills. Off the field, Jaelan’s work in the Miami community has earned him the Nat Moore Community Service Award, a 2022 nominee for the Walter Paton Man of the Year Award, and countless recognition for his service and commitment to his community. He also continues to build community partnerships with organizations in various Southern California communities.  Jaelan is currently a board member for Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC) and The Verb Kind foundations.