Jason Avant

Jason Raye Avant (born April 20, 1983) is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan.

Early years
Avant attended Carver Military Academy in Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 2002. He spent his freshman year of high school in Decatur, IL at MacArthur High School. While in high school, Avant played both on defense, as a free safety, and offense, as a wide receiver. He set school records for receptions (148), receiving yards (2,150), touchdowns (37), and interceptions (18). After his senior season, he was named a High School All-American at free safety. He played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

College career
At the University of Michigan, Avant played as a wide receiver and on special teams. He played sparingly as a freshman, but as a sophomore emerged as the Wolverines' number-two receiver, behind Braylon Edwards. During his sophomore season in 2003, Avant caught 47 passes for 772 yards. As a junior he was the team's second leading receiver. In his senior year, Avant led the team in receptions (82), receiving yards (1,007), and receiving touchdowns (eight).

In his final two seasons, Avant was named as a candidate for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver. After his senior season, he was named an honorable mention All-American and was given the Bo Schembechler Award as Michigan's most valuable player.

Philadelphia Eagles
Avant was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles traded a sixth round draft pick and tackle Artis Hicks to the Minnesota Vikings for the pick used to take Avant. In a post-draft interview, Eagles head coach Andy Reid said Avant "has great hands, toughness, leadership; he's very intelligent and a good route runner." Scouting reports projected him as a consistent possession receiver who lacked the speed to be a deep threat.

As a part of the Eagles crowded receiving corps, Avant saw limited playing time with the offense in his rookie season. He had his best performance—four receptions for forty yards and one touchdown—in the final game of the season, while the Eagles rested their starters for the playoffs.

After the 2009 season, in which he set new career-highs in all three categories with 41 receptions for 587 yards and 3 touchdowns, Avant was named to the USA Today All-Joe Team for his stellar play in the slot position. 32 of Avant's 37 catches on third down resulted in a first down.

He was re-signed to a five-year contract on March 8, 2010. He was named the Eagles' Ed Block Courage Award recipient for 2010.

Personal
Avant is an avid Scrabble player. During Chris Berman's "Fastest Three Minutes" he referred to him as Jason "You Can't Always Get What" Avant. Avant and his wife, Stacy, live in Clementon, New Jersey. He is the son of Jerry Avant and Claudette Patrick. His brother, Edwon Simmons, was a baseball player, who was drafted by Baltimore Orioles and was a safety at San Diego State. He is now a talent scout for a sports agency in Chicago.