American wing/flanker Jalen Tatum played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2023. He represented Rugby ATL (2021) and the Dallas Jackals (2022-23).

A native of Kennesaw, GA, Jalen Tatum grew up playing competitive lacrosse until discovering rugby while at college at Kennesaw State. He played lacrosse during his first year at KSU before joining the KSU Owls rugby team for 3 years. Following his graduation, Tatum joined the Rugby ATL development side, Pathway 404, in the fall of 2020. He played three trial matches with Pathway 404 before being signed to a MLR contract with the RATLers for the 2021 season.

Tatum didn’t feature at MLR level for Rugby ATL in 2021. The crossover athlete was initially slated to play at flanker but transitioned to the wing over the course of the year. He impressed enough for Rugby ATL to re-sign him for the 2022 season, and attended a USA High Performance Camp during the fall. In May 2022, shortly before that season’s trade/signing deadline, the Dallas Jackals acquired Jalen Tatum as part of a trade that also included Lui Sitama. He earned his MLR and Jackals debut shortly afterwards, starting their Round 15 clash with the Toronto Arrows. Tatum would return for a second season with the Jackals in 2023 where he would earn another two appearances, starting both times.

Tatum didn’t return for a 4th season in MLR in 2024, but continues to play rugby in Dallas with the Dallas Harlequins.