University of Wyoming Athletics

Jalen Ortiz enters his second season as a graduate assistant with the Wyoming Football program in 2019.

As a defensive graduate assistant in 2018, Ortiz helped coach a Cowboy defense that ranked No. 19 in the nation in total defense (allowing opponents only 326.2 yards per game), were No. 25 in the NCAA in rushing defense (129.5 yards per game), ranked No. 28 in scoring defense (giving up only 22.0 points per game) and were No. 32 in pass defense (196.7 yards per game).  The UW defense also ranked No. 16 in the country in fewest first downs allowed to opponents (223).       

Ortiz completed his college playing career with the Cowboys in 2017.  Ortiz was Wyoming’s starting strong-side (SAM) linebacker and nickel back in 2017.  He helped lead the Cowboys to an 8-5 record and a victory in the 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.  Ortiz made 61 tackles, recovered two fumbles and forced a fumble during his senior season.  He was part of a defense that ranked No. 1 in the nation in takeaways in 2017, forcing 38 opponent turnovers.  The Pokes ranked No. 9 in the country in scoring defense, allowing opponents only 17.5 points per game.  UW ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in fumbles recovered (18), No. 2 in the nation in interceptions (20), No. 8 in defensive touchdowns scored (4 TDs), No. 13 in pass defense (174.9 passing yards allowed), and No. 23 in total defense (335.2 total yards allowed).  Ortiz appeared in all 14 games for Wyoming in 2016, which was his first season playing for the Cowboys after transferring to UW from UCLA.  Ortiz redshirted the 2015 season at Wyoming to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.  

At UCLA, Ortiz played two seasons for the Bruins, appearing in 26 games.  In 2014, he played 13 games as a reserve in the Bruin’s secondary and special teams.  In 2013, Ortiz saw action at wide receiver.  He also excelled in the classroom at UCLA, earning Honorable Mention Academic All-PAC 12 honors.  

Coming out of Centennial High School in Peoria, Ariz., he was ranked as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com.  ESPN listed him as the third best recruit in the state of Arizona and the No. 31 cornerback in the country.  He was named the No. 101 prospect in the West by Scout.com, and was ranked as the nation’s No. 66 running back.  

He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from UW in December of 2017.  His fiancée is Breah Anderson.