Jordyn W. Brooks Bio
Jordyn W. Brooks (born October 21, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Originally from Dallas, Texas, and raised in Houston, Brooks played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders before the Seattle Seahawks selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 27th overall pick. He has established himself as one of the premier tackling linebackers in the league, leading the NFL in solo tackles twice and earning First-team All-Pro honors in 2025. Brooks signed with the Miami Dolphins in March 2024, where he continues to serve as a defensive leader.
Early Life and Background
Jordyn W. Brooks was born in Dallas, Texas, on October 21, 1997. After his early years in Dallas, he moved to Houston, Texas, where he attended Stratford High School. During his time at Stratford, Brooks developed into a standout football player, earning All-District 19-5A honors in both his junior and senior seasons.
Brooks received scholarship offers from several major college programs, including Arkansas, Houston, Missouri, and Washington. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at Texas Tech University, committing to play for the Red Raiders under the college football program.
Path to the NFL
Brooks arrived at Texas Tech as a promising defensive prospect and quickly made his presence felt. As a freshman, he earned Freshman All-American honors from 24/7 Sports and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 after leading the team with 86 tackles, including five for loss, with four passes broken up and a forced fumble.
He continued to progress through his sophomore and junior seasons, consistently ranking among the team leaders in tackles. His junior season showed his ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage, recording 84 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception while earning his third consecutive honorable mention All-Big 12 selection.
His senior season in 2019 represented his breakthrough campaign. Brooks was named to the Butkus Award watch list and drew recognition as the top inside linebacker prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper. In a standout performance against number 21 Oklahoma State, he recorded 19 tackles with three sacks and was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and National Defensive Player of the Week by the Football Writers Association of America and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He finished the season with 108 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and three sacks, earning First-team All-Big 12 and consensus Second-team All-American honors. Brooks concluded his collegiate career with 367 tackles, ranking seventh in school history, along with 33 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Jordyn W. Brooks Career
Seattle Seahawks (2020–2023)
The Seattle Seahawks selected Jordyn W. Brooks with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Brooks began his rookie season as the backup weakside linebacker behind veteran starter K. J. Wright. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, recording his first career tackle. Following a season-ending injury to Bruce Irvin after Week 2, Brooks was promoted to the starting lineup. He appeared in all 16 games with 11 starts, finishing his rookie year with 57 total tackles and two pass deflections.
The 2021 season marked Brooks’ breakthrough as he became a full-time starter. He delivered a historic performance, breaking the Seahawks franchise record for most tackles in a single season with 184 combined tackles. His stellar play earned him his first NFL solo tackles leader title, establishing him as one of the league’s top tacklers. Brooks continued his high level of play into the 2022 season, but his year was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL in Week 17 against the New York Jets. Despite the injury, he finished the season with a team-high 161 tackles, one sack, five passes defensed, and a forced fumble before being placed on injured reserve.
In the 2023 season, Brooks returned from his ACL injury to contribute as part of the Seahawks defense. He played out the final year of his rookie contract before becoming a free agent. Across his four seasons with Seattle, Brooks established himself as a durable and productive tackler, recording over 400 tackles during his tenure with the franchise.
Miami Dolphins Era (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Jordyn W. Brooks signed a three-year, $26.3 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. The move represented a significant addition to Miami’s defensive unit as they sought to strengthen their linebacker corps. Brooks immediately stepped into a starting role and never missed a game, starting all 17 games in the 2024 season.
He made an immediate impact in his first season with the Dolphins, leading the team with 143 tackles while also contributing three sacks and six passes defensed. His performance in 2024 demonstrated his ability to adapt seamlessly to a new defensive system while maintaining his reputation as an elite tackler.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jordyn W. Brooks has built his NFL reputation as a relentless tackler with exceptional instincts and pursuit to the ball. His ability to read plays quickly allows him to diagnose plays and arrive at the ball carrier with momentum. Brooks excels in run defense, using his 6-foot-0, 240-pound frame to fill gaps effectively and bring down ball carriers with physicality. His sideline-to-sideline range enables him to make plays outside the tackle box, and he has shown continued improvement as a pass rusher, recording multiple sacks in each of his seasons with Miami.
Notable Events and Milestones
Brooks has accumulated several impressive career milestones. His 184-tackle season with Seattle in 2021 set a franchise record that stands. He has led the NFL in solo tackles twice (2021 and 2025) and became the fifth player since 2000 to record 800 tackles in his first six NFL seasons, joining elite company in Roquan Smith, Patrick Willis, Luke Kuechly, and Foyesade Oluokun. His ACL injury in 2022 tested his resilience, and his successful return to form with Miami showcased his mental and physical toughness.
Jordyn W. Brooks Career Statistics
Across six NFL seasons, Jordyn W. Brooks has established himself as one of the most productive tackling linebackers in the league. His career totals reflect his consistency and durability, with over 800 combined tackles and consistent contributions in both run defense and pass coverage.
NFL Career Highlights
Brooks’ most notable achievements include his 2025 First-team All-Pro selection, two NFL solo tackles titles (2021, 2025), and the 2025 NFL combined tackles leader award. His 2025 season was particularly impressive, as he led the league with 183 total tackles while earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice during the campaign. Brooks’ Week 11 performance against Washington, where he recorded 20 tackles in a 16-13 victory, exemplified his impact game in and game out. His Week 8 performance against Atlanta, recording 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week, demonstrated his ability to affect games in multiple ways.
| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 839 |
| Sacks | 13 |
| Forced Fumbles | 3 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 6 |
| Pass Deflections | 25 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Defensive Touchdowns | 1 |
Jordyn W. Brooks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Jordyn W. Brooks’ family background, parents, or racing lineage is limited. Brooks keeps his family life largely private, with no publicly verified information about immediate family members’ backgrounds or occupations available in current sources.
Personal Life
Beyond his football career, Jordyn W. Brooks has participated in community outreach efforts. In November 2022 while with the Seahawks, Brooks helped distribute 10,000 cans of soup with Campbell’s Chunky, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the community. Brooks remains focused on his football career and continues to build his legacy with the Miami Dolphins organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Jordyn W. Brooks’ finest professional campaign to date. After a full season with Miami in 2024 to acclimate to his new team, Brooks elevated his play to an elite level throughout the 2025 season. He started all games and delivered consistent, high-impact performances week after week, anchoring the Dolphins’ defense as their primary tackler and playmaker.
His Week 8 performance against Atlanta, featuring 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack in a 34-10 victory, earned him his first AFC Defensive Player of the Week award of the season. He followed that with an even more dominant showing in Week 11 against Washington, recording 20 tackles in a closely contested 16-13 win to earn his second AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor. These signature performances highlighted Brooks’ ability to take over games and make clutch plays when needed most.
Brooks closed the 2025 season as the NFL’s leading tackler with 183 total tackles (99 solo), earning his second NFL solo tackles title, first NFL combined tackles leader award, and First-team All-Pro honors. His historic achievement of becoming the fifth player since 2000 to reach 800 tackles in his first six seasons places him among the all-time greats at the linebacker position. With his contract running through 2027, Brooks appears poised to continue his dominance and add to his legacy with the Miami Dolphins.