Daniel Zachary Brunskill Bio
Daniel Zachary Brunskill is an American professional football center for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 27, 1994, in San Diego, California, he played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. Over his career, Brunskill has developed a reputation as a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing multiple positions, including center, guard, and tackle. His journey through the NFL includes stints with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), the San Francisco 49ers, and the Tennessee Titans before joining the Miami Dolphins in 2025. Brunskill has appeared in 108 NFL games with 71 starts throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Brunskill grew up in Valley Center, California, where he attended Valley Center High School. During his high school years, he played as a tight end and also competed in the lineman category, earning all-league recognition under head coach Rob Gilster. His performance as a high school lineman demonstrated the physical tools and football intelligence that would serve him well at the collegiate level. Brunskill’s versatility and work ethic during his formative years laid the foundation for his eventual transition to the offensive line at the professional level.
Path to Professional Football
Following his standout high school career, Brunskill continued his football journey at the collegiate level. He played for the San Diego State Aztecs from 2012 to 2016, where he refined his skills and prepared for the challenges of professional football. His college experience provided him with the technical training and positional flexibility that would become hallmarks of his professional career. After exhausting his collegiate eligibility, Brunskill entered the 2017 NFL Draft but went undrafted. Nevertheless, his combination of size, athleticism, and versatility attracted interest from NFL teams looking to develop young offensive line talent.
Daniel Zachary Brunskill Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Brunskill signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2017. He faced immediate challenges during his rookie season, being waived by the Falcons on September 2, 2017, before being signed to the practice squad the following day. This experience of being waived and reassigned to the practice squad became a common theme during his early NFL tenure, teaching him resilience and the importance of consistent performance. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on January 15, 2018, indicating the organization saw potential in his development.
The 2018 season brought similar uncertainty for Brunskill. On September 1, 2018, the Falcons waived him again, only to sign him to the practice squad once more on September 2. Despite the revolving door status, Brunskill continued to hone his craft and prepare for opportunities that would eventually come his way. His time in Atlanta, though limited in game appearances, provided valuable exposure to NFL coaching methods, playbook complexity, and the physical demands of professional football. These developmental years would prove essential as his career progressed.
San Diego Fleet and San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2019–2022)
In January 2019, Brunskill joined the San Diego Fleet of the newly formed Alliance of American Football (AAF), a spring professional league that offered opportunities for players seeking to continue their football careers. The AAF provided Brunskill with regular game experience and the chance to showcase his versatility along the offensive line. His performance with the Fleet attracted attention from NFL teams seeking experienced depth along their offensive lines.
On April 11, 2019, Brunskill signed with the San Francisco 49ers, a move that would prove to be the turning point in his career. During the 2019 season, he played 14 regular season games with seven starts, lining up at both right tackle and right guard positions. He also appeared in all three of the 49ers playoff games that season, helping the team reach Super Bowl LIV. Although the 49ers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20 in the championship game, Brunskill’s contributions during the playoff run demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
The 2020 season marked Brunskill’s first full year as a consistent starter in the NFL. He was re-signed by the 49ers on March 20, 2020, and went on to start all 16 games that season, demonstrating remarkable durability and reliability. He continued his progression in 2021 when the 49ers placed a one-year exclusive-rights free agent tender on him in March. That season, Brunskill was named the 49ers’ starting right guard and started all 17 regular season games, playing every single offensive snap including the team’s playoff run. His consistency and versatility made him an invaluable piece of the 49ers’ offensive line.
The 2022 season saw Brunskill’s role become more rotational. The 49ers placed a restricted free agent tender on him on March 15, 2022, which he signed a month later. He appeared in 14 games with two starts during the season, playing 58 percent of the team’s offensive snaps while listed at both guard and center positions. Despite the reduced starting role, Brunskill remained a reliable depth piece and continued to demonstrate the positional flexibility that had characterized his career.
Tennessee Titans (2023–2024)
On March 19, 2023, Brunskill signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, marking a significant step in his career as he joined a new organization as a proven veteran. He was immediately named the Titans’ starting right guard for the 2023 season and lived up to expectations by starting 14 games. His experience and consistency provided stability to an offensive line that underwent several changes during the season.
During the 2024 season, Brunskill continued his tenure with the Titans as a rotational lineman. After Week 8, circumstances thrust him into a larger role when recently signed center Lloyd Cushenberry suffered a season-ending injury. Brunskill stepped up to become the Titans’ primary center for the remainder of the season, demonstrating the adaptability and positional versatility that had defined his career. His ability to seamlessly transition to center when needed underscored his value to the team.
Miami Dolphins Era (2025–Present)
On July 22, 2025, Brunskill signed with the Miami Dolphins, joining his fifth NFL franchise. This move represented a new chapter in his career as he brings his experience, versatility, and veteran leadership to a Dolphins team looking to strengthen its offensive line. Brunskill’s track record of durability and positional flexibility makes him an valuable addition to Miami’s front office strategy for building a competitive roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brunskill has established himself as one of the more versatile offensive linemen in the NFL, capable of playing center, guard, and tackle positions at a high level. His 6-foot-5, 300-pound frame provides the size and length needed to handle both interior and exterior pass rushers. Perhaps his greatest strength lies in his football intelligence and adaptability, having started games at multiple positions throughout his career. His ability to seamlessly transition between positions when needed has made him a valuable asset for every team he has played for, allowing coaching staffs flexibility in managing injuries and matchups.
Notable Events and Milestones
Brunskill’s most significant career milestone remains his participation in Super Bowl LIV with the San Francisco 49ers during the 2019 season. Playing a crucial role during the team’s playoff run, he contributed to an offense that reached the championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Additionally, his 2021 season with the 49ers, where he started all 17 games at right guard and played every offensive snap including the playoffs, stands as a testament to his durability and consistency at the highest level of professional football.
Daniel Zachary Brunskill Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Brunskill has accumulated significant playing time and experience across multiple franchises. His versatility and reliability have allowed him to contribute to teams at various stages of their seasons, whether as a full-time starter or a valuable rotational piece.
San Francisco 49ers Highlights
Brunskill’s tenure with the San Francisco 49ers from 2019 to 2022 represents the most productive phase of his career. He appeared in 61 games with 41 starts during his four seasons with the team. His standout season came in 2021 when he started all 17 regular season games at right guard and played every offensive snap, including the playoffs. He also started all 16 games in 2020 and contributed 14 games with seven starts during the 2019 season that culminated in a Super Bowl LIV appearance. His 2022 season featured 14 games with two starts as he adjusted to a more rotational role.
Tennessee Titans Highlights
During his two seasons with the Tennessee Titans from 2023 to 2024, Brunskill appeared in 27 games with 20 starts. In 2023, he started 14 games at right guard following his free-agent signing. The 2024 season saw him take on an expanded role as the primary center after Lloyd Cushenberry’s injury, demonstrating his ability to step into critical positions when called upon. His contributions helped maintain stability along the Titans’ offensive line during a transitional period.
| Team | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 61 | 41 |
| Tennessee Titans | 27 | 20 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 0 |
| Career Total | 108 | 71 |
Daniel Zachary Brunskill Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public records do not provide detailed information about Daniel Brunskill’s family background or racing lineage. Specific details regarding his parents, siblings, or any family connections to professional athletics are not widely available in verified sources. The focus of publicly available information remains on his athletic career and professional achievements rather than his family history.
Personal Life
Daniel Zachary Brunskill attended Valley Center High School in Valley Center, California, before playing college football at San Diego State University. He maintains a presence on social media under the handle dan_skill.94 on Instagram. As of 2025, he continues his professional football career with the Miami Dolphins. Further details regarding his personal life, including marital status or children, are not publicly available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Daniel Brunskill enters the 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins following his signing on July 22, 2025. This move marks his fifth NFL team and represents an opportunity to contribute to a Dolphins organization looking to build upon recent successes. Brunskill’s veteran experience and positional versatility provide the coaching staff with valuable flexibility along the offensive line. His ability to play multiple positions makes him a candidate for various roles depending on the team’s needs and any injuries that may occur during the season.
The Dolphins’ offensive line strategy likely considers Brunskill’s extensive experience starting games at center, guard, and tackle throughout his career. His track record of durability, having appeared in 108 NFL games with 71 starts, demonstrates his ability to withstand the physical demands of professional football. The coaching staff will look to integrate him into their system during training camp and the preseason, determining the best use of his skill set for the regular season.
Brunskill’s veteran leadership could prove particularly valuable for a Dolphins team featuring a mix of experienced players and younger talent along the offensive line. His journey from an undrafted free agent in 2017 to a seasoned NFL veteran with Super Bowl experience provides a perspective that can benefit developing players. As the 2025 season progresses, Brunskill aims to establish himself as a reliable contributor for the Dolphins while continuing his career longevity in professional football.