The Chargers added to their defensive trenches with the selection of Jamaree Caldwell in the third round (No. 86 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Get all of your Bolts draft news at the Chargers 2025 Draft Hub.
Here are five things to know about the Oregon defensive lineman:
1. Disruptor for the Ducks
Caldwell made sure to make some noise in his lone year with the Ducks.
The big defensive tackle was a key piece of the Oregon defense in 2024, starting in all 14 games for one of the top-ranked teams in the nation.
He put together a career-high 29 total tackles and added 4.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and three pass breakups.
Caldwell also showed some of the prowess in getting after the quarterback, finishing second among Oregon defensive linemen with 25 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
His performance in his final season led him to an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection.
2. Stop in Houston
Prior to a year in the Northwest, Caldwell spent some time along the interior with the Cougars.
The defensive tackle was stellar for Houston across two years, playing in 20 games and amassing 8.5 sacks and 39 total tackles.
But his best year came in 2023, when he starred and finished fifth in the Big 12 with 6.5 sacks and fourth with 0.59 sacks per game.
He also led the Houston defense with a 76.8 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus that season.
Take a look through some photos of the Chargers selection at No.86 in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Defensive Line Jamaree Caldwelll from the University of Oregon.
Houston defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell, left, tackles West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson Jr., right, during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo (10) celebrates with Jamaree Caldwell (93) after a stop during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) throws under pressure from Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell (90) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, February 27, 2025. (Brooke Sutton via AP)
Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, February 27, 2025. (Brooke Sutton via AP)
3. Stout against the run
Even with his production getting after the passer in the FBS, Caldwell has excelled against the run.
Caldwell finished with at least an 81.6 PFF run defense grade in each of his three seasons with Houston and Oregon, with a best of 83.2 in 2022.
The defensive tackle finished with the third-best grade against the run (81.6) and run stops (18) on Oregon last season.
4. Unique path to the pros
Caldwell's journey to the Bolts all started at the junior college level.
He began at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, where he spent a year primarily as an offensive lineman on the scout team.
After stepping away, he later walked on to Independence Community College in Kansas for a season, where he found success as a defensive lineman and eventually joined Houston.
5. High School OL
As previously mentioned, Caldwell got involved in the offensive trenches as well.
He split time playing both the defensive and offensive line, specifically left guard, in high school, helping Newberry High School make the playoffs.
