Kendell Brooks is an American professional football safety for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Greenville Crusaders and Michigan State Spartans and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Brooks has spent time with four NFL franchises in his brief professional career, demonstrating persistence in earning a roster spot at the sport’s highest level.
Kendell Brooks Bio
Kendell Brooks is a professional football safety who has navigated an unconventional path to the NFL. Born in Swansea, South Carolina, he developed his skills locally before attending Swansea High School, where he earned all-state recognition. His journey through college football included a cancelled season, work experience in various jobs, and a transfer that ultimately led him to Michigan State University, where he developed into a productive defensive player. Despite going undrafted in 2023, Brooks has continued to pursue his NFL dream through multiple organizations, eventually earning promotion to the Tennessee Titans active roster.
Early Life and Background
Kendell Brooks was born on March 3, 2000, in Swansea, South Carolina. He grew up in his hometown and attended Swansea High School, where he established himself as an all-state selection during his high school football career. His early exposure to football in a smaller-market environment provided him with the foundation needed to pursue the sport at higher levels.
After high school graduation, Brooks enrolled at North Greenville University, a NCAA Division II institution, to begin his collegiate football career. He played for the North Greenville Crusaders from 2018 through 2020, developing his skills as a defensive player while adjusting to the pace and intensity of college football.
Path to American Football
Brooks played for the North Greenville Crusaders from 2018 to 2020, appearing in 19 games across two seasons. During that time, he recorded 78 tackles, including 56 during the 2019 season, along with two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. His consistent performance at the Division II level helped prepare him for the challenges of higher competition.
The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which created significant uncertainty for Brooks. During that period, he worked multiple jobs to support himself, including employment at the family logging business, as a delivery driver for Pizza Hut, and as an employee at FedEx. Rather than giving up on his football dreams during the uncertainty, Brooks entered the transfer portal and began exploring opportunities at larger programs. After considering an offer from FCS program Mercer, he accepted a scholarship from Michigan State University, an FBS program in the Big Ten Conference.
His transition to Michigan State in 2021 marked a significant step in his development as a player, providing him with the opportunity to compete against higher-caliber competition while continuing to refine his skills as a safety.
Kendell Brooks Career
College Career (2021–2022)
Brooks joined the Michigan State Spartans in 2021, transitioning from Division II to Big Ten competition. During his first season with the program, he primarily contributed on special teams, recording nine tackles across limited defensive appearances. He saw action on only 26 defensive snaps during the 2021 season, learning the scheme and adjusting to the increased speed of FBS play.
The 2022 season became Brooks’ breakthrough year with Michigan State. When starting safety Xavier Henderson suffered an injury early in the season, Brooks received his opportunity to start. He responded with a strong performance against Akron, recording seven tackles and forcing a fumble. That game marked the beginning of his ascent in the Spartans’ defense. Brooks ultimately started 10 games in 2022, leading the team’s secondary with 756 defensive snaps while tying for eighth in the FBS with three forced fumbles. He finished the season with 100 tackles, ranking second on the team and fifth in the Big Ten Conference. His combination of playmaking ability and consistent tackling positioned him as a legitimate NFL prospect despite his late conversion to a major role.
Arizona Cardinals (2023)
Despite his productive final college season, Brooks went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was subsequently signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent, receiving $80,000 in guaranteed contract value, the second-highest among the Cardinals’ undrafted signees that year. His signing represented an opportunity to prove himself at the professional level despite not hearing his name called during the draft. However, on August 29, 2023, Brooks was released by the Cardinals as part of final roster cuts before the start of the regular season.
Indianapolis Colts (2024)
Brooks signed a reserve/future contract with the Indianapolis Colts on January 9, 2024, giving him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot in the NFL. He spent the offseason and training camp with the organization, working to demonstrate his abilities to the coaching staff. However, he was waived by the Colts on August 14, 2024, during the final stages of training camp.
Washington Commanders (2024)
Brooks was signed by the Washington Commanders on August 20, 2024, providing him with a brief stint at another organization. He was released by the Commanders on August 27, 2024, continuing a pattern of difficult roster transitions during his young career.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024–Present)
Brooks joined the Tennessee Titans on September 2, 2024, signing to the practice squad. He worked with the practice squad throughout the season, continuing to develop his skills and wait for an opportunity. His persistence paid off on December 7, 2024, when he was promoted to the active roster. Brooks made his NFL debut during Week 14’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, appearing on special teams in his first regular-season NFL game.
On August 26, 2025, Brooks was waived by the Titans as part of final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the practice squad on August 27. However, he was waived from the practice squad on September 1. Brooks returned to the Titans organization when he was re-signed to the practice squad on October 2 and promoted to the active roster eight days later on October 10.
Playing Style and Strengths
Brooks plays the safety position, which requires a combination of physicality, football intelligence, and coverage ability. His collegiate career demonstrated his capacity to make plays on the ball, as evidenced by his three forced fumbles in a single season at Michigan State. His instincts for locating the football and creating turnovers represent a valuable characteristic for a safety at the professional level. His ability to contribute on special teams has helped him earn opportunities at the NFL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Brooks’ career came when he made his NFL debut for the Tennessee Titans against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14 of the 2024 season. This represented the culmination of years of development from high school through college and multiple organizations in his pursuit of an NFL roster spot. His promotion from the practice squad to the active roster demonstrated the value of persistence in a highly competitive league where undrafted players face substantial obstacles to sustained employment.
Kendell Brooks Career Statistics
Brooks has appeared in limited NFL games through the 2025 season, primarily contributing on special teams during his early professional career. His transition from college football to the professional level has required adjustments to the speed and complexity of NFL schemes.
Professional Career Totals
In his NFL career through the 2025 season, Brooks has recorded 24 total tackles. He appeared in games with the Tennessee Titans during the 2024 season, making his regular-season debut in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His early career has been characterized by bouncing between practice squads and active rosters across multiple organizations, with limited defensive statistical production to date.
College Career Highlights
At Michigan State during the 2022 season, Brooks posted 100 tackles, three forced fumbles, and led the team secondary with 756 defensive snaps. His performance ranked among the conference leaders in forced fumbles and tackles among defensive backs. At North Greenville, Brooks accumulated 78 tackles, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery across two seasons of play.
| Level | Season | Team | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|
| College | 2022 | Michigan State | 100 |
| College | 2019 | North Greenville | 56 |
| NFL | 2024–2025 | Tennessee Titans | 24 |
Kendell Brooks Family
Family Background
Brooks grew up in Swansea, South Carolina, with family connections to a logging business. During the COVID-19 pandemic when his college season was canceled, Brooks worked at the family logging operation alongside his other jobs, demonstrating a strong work ethic during a challenging period in his athletic career. His family’s business provided him with employment and support during an uncertain time in his life.
Personal Life
Brooks maintains a presence on social media under the handle @k_b.___ on Instagram. He has not publicly disclosed information regarding a spouse or children as of the available information. Brooks’ journey through multiple colleges and four NFL organizations in just three seasons reflects his determination to establish himself as a professional football player despite the obstacles he has faced.
2025 Season Performance
Brooks entered the 2025 season with the Tennessee Titans following a difficult stretch of roster transactions. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, before being re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was subsequently waived from the practice squad on September 1, demonstrating the precarious nature of his position on an NFL roster. However, Brooks returned to the organization on October 2 when he was re-signed to the practice squad. Eight days later, on October 10, he was promoted to the active roster once again, continuing his pattern of persistence in pursuit of an NFL career.