JD Bertrand

James David Bertrand Bio

James David Bertrand is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 143rd overall, Bertrand brings collegiate experience from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish where he developed into a team captain and defensive leader. Bertrand attended Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia, where he achieved considerable success before starting his collegiate career at Notre Dame.

Early Life and Background

James David Bertrand was born on May 5, 2000, in Alpharetta, Georgia. He grew up in the Atlanta metropolitan area and attended Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia. During his high school years, Bertrand developed into a standout football player, demonstrating the defensive instincts and leadership qualities that would define his future career.

At Blessed Trinity, Bertrand played a key role in the program’s success at the Georgia Class AAAA level. His performance on the field attracted attention from college programs across the country, setting the stage for his transition to collegiate football at the Division I level.

Path to Professional Football

Following his impressive high school career, Bertrand initially committed to play college football at the University of Georgia. He ultimately changed his commitment and chose to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he would spend five seasons developing as a defensive player and team leader.

His journey through the Notre Dame program demonstrated steady progression. He transitioned from a special teams role as a true freshman to becoming one of the most productive defenders on the team by his junior season, positioning himself for NFL draft consideration.

James David Bertrand Career

College Career (2019–2023)

Bertrand began his collegiate career at Notre Dame as a true freshman in 2019. During that season, he played exclusively on special teams, appearing in four games. This developmental role allowed him to adjust to the college game while contributing in a meaningful capacity on kickoff and punt coverage units.

His most productive collegiate season came during his junior year when he started in all 13 games. Bertrand recorded 101 tackles during that campaign, leading the Irish defense and establishing himself as a difference-maker at the linebacker position. His performance earned him recognition as one of the top defensive players in the conference.

Notre Dame Leadership and Senior Season

Entering the 2022 season, Bertrand was named a team captain by the Notre Dame coaching staff. This leadership role reflected both his on-field production and his influence within the program. Bertrand responded by finishing that season as the team leader in tackles with 82 total stops. His ability to diagnose plays and position himself effectively made him the anchor of the Notre Dame defense during his final seasons with the program.

After completing his senior season in 2023, Bertrand declared for the 2024 NFL Draft having played five seasons with the Fighting Irish. His combination of size, instincts, and leadership experience projected him as a potential mid-round selection in the draft.

Atlanta Falcons Era (2024–Present)

The Atlanta Falcons selected James David Bertrand in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 143rd overall. The selection addressed a need for defensive depth at the linebacker position as Bertrand joined a Falcons organization in the early stages of building its roster around younger talent. He wears jersey number 40 for the Falcons.

Bertrand transitioned to the professional level during his rookie season in 2024, learning the defensive schemes of the Falcons while competing for playing time in a competitive linebacker room. His special teams background from his early Notre Dame career provided him with an immediate pathway to contributing on multiple units as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of NFL gameplay.

Playing Style and Strengths

Bertrand has established himself as a reliable tackler with solid instincts in run defense. His experience starting in multiple games at Notre Dame translated well to his ability to quickly read offensive plays and react accordingly. His background playing on special teams units also provided him with the versatility to contribute in multiple phases of the game during his rookie season.

Notable Events and Milestones

The standout milestone in Bertrand’s young professional career came during the 2024 NFL Draft when he heard his name called in the fifth round by the Atlanta Falcons. The selection represented the culmination of a journey that began at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School and continued through five seasons at Notre Dame. By Week 14 of the 2025 season, Bertrand had accumulated 55 total tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection while continuing to develop his role within the Falcons defense.

James David Bertrand Family

Family Background and Athletic Lineage

Bertrand comes from a family with a notable athletic background spanning multiple generations. He has two older brothers, Chris and John Michael. His brother John Michael Bertrand plays baseball in the San Francisco Giants organization, continuing the family’s tradition of professional athletics.

The Bertrand family’s sporting heritage extends further back through their great-grandfather, Cecil Muellerleile. Muellerleile played football and also served as a coach and athletic director at Saint Louis University, establishing a legacy of involvement in collegiate athletics that has continued through subsequent generations of the family.

Personal Life

Bertrand maintains an active public presence through social media, where he connects with fans on platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. His professional approach to his career reflects the values of dedication and teamwork emphasized throughout his development from high school through the collegiate and professional levels.

2025 Season Performance

During the 2025 NFL season, Bertrand continued his development as a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons defense. Through Week 14 of the season, he had accumulated 55 total tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection while appearing in multiple games for the team. His contributions came primarily on defense and special teams, where his experience and instincts allowed him to make an impact.

The Falcons coaching staff provided Bertrand with opportunities to increase his role as the season progressed. His ability to consistently wrap up tackles and be in the right position defensively helped him earn additional playing time as the team evaluated its young talent for future seasons. The partnership between Bertrand and the defensive coaching staff centered on refining his technique and expanding his understanding of the professional game.

Looking ahead, Bertrand remains a developing player within the Falcons organization with a foundation built on his successful collegiate career at Notre Dame. His combination of size, tackling ability, and special teams experience positions him as a player who can contribute immediately while continuing to grow into a larger role on defense. The trajectory of his early professional career suggests he has the tools to compete for an expanded role in the seasons ahead with the Atlanta Falcons.