How a Texas Tech standout became an NFL tackling machine
In short: From a first-round draft pick to a league-leading defensive force, Jordyn Brooks has redefined the linebacker position. His journey from the Texas Tech Red Raiders to the Miami Dolphins is marked by relentless pursuit and record-breaking statistics that place him among the elite defensive players in modern football history.
Born in Dallas and raised in Houston, Jordyn Brooks emerged as a standout at Stratford High School before committing to Texas Tech University. His collegiate career was defined by high-volume tackling; he finished his time with the Red Raiders recording 367 tackles, the seventh-most in the school's history. After tallying 108 tackles, featuring three sacks and 20 tackles for loss, his final collegiate year saw him become a consensus second-team All-American. During his junior and senior years, he earned All-District 19-5A honours. He also received honourable mention All-Big 12 recognition for three consecutive seasons. This performance earned him a spot on the Butkus Award watch list.
The Seattle Seahawks drafted him during the 2020 NFL draft, selecting him 27th overall in the first round. After an initial season as a backup, he stepped into a starting role following an injury to Bruce Irvin. He eventually set a Seahawks franchise record by recording 184 combined tackles in a single season. Despite a torn ACL in late 2022, he rebounded to lead the Miami Dolphins in tackles during the 2024 season. He initially served as a backup to K. J. Wright. His rookie campaign concluded with 57 total tackles and two pass deflections.
By the end of the 2025 season, Brooks reached a rare milestone, becoming only the fifth player since 2000 to record 800 tackles within their first six NFL seasons. He joined an elite group that includes Roquan Smith, Patrick Willis, Luke Kuechly, and Foyesade Oluokun. His sustained excellence led the Dolphins to sign him to a $51.3 million extension in July 2026, securing his place with the team through 2029. In the 2025 season, he earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honours twice. He finished that year with a league-leading 183 tackles.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Jordyn Brooks
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