Karl Brooks Bio
Karl Dermarad Brooks is an American professional football player who serves as a defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He played college football for the Bowling Green Falcons, where he developed into a disruptive force along the defensive line. Born on May 8, 2000, in Lansing, Michigan, Brooks entered the 2023 NFL draft after a standout collegiate career totaling 167 tackles and 27.5 sacks. He was selected in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers and has since become a valuable contributor on both defense and special teams.
Brooks brings a combination of power and technique to the defensive tackle position, standing 6 ft 3 in tall and weighing 296 lb. His size and motor make him a consistent presence in the middle of the defensive line, where he pressures quarterbacks and stops opposing running games. Since joining the Packers in 2023, he has earned recognition for his work ethic and his ability to make impact plays in critical moments of games.
Early Life and Background
Karl Dermarad Brooks grew up in Lansing, Michigan, where he attended J. W. Sexton High School and began to attract attention as a football prospect. His development as a defensive lineman during his high school years set the foundation for his later success at the college level. He initially committed to play college football at Division II Grand Valley State, choosing a path that offered early playing time and a clear route to development.
That commitment changed when Bowling Green extended an offer that convinced Brooks to reconsider his college destination. The opportunity to play at the Football Bowl Subdivision level with the Bowling Green Falcons aligned more closely with his long-term goals in football. Choosing Bowling Green proved to be the right decision, as he became one of the most productive defensive players in program history and ultimately advanced to the National Football League.
Path to Professional Football
Brooks arrived at Bowling Green in 2018 and began the process of establishing himself within the Falcons defensive system. Over the course of five seasons with the program, he evolved from a developing prospect into one of the most feared pass rushers in the Mid-American Conference. His combination of size, strength, and relentless effort made him a consistent threat to opposing offenses and a foundational piece of the Falcons defense.
His junior season in 2021 marked his first major recognition at the conference level, earning third-team All-Mid-American Conference honors after posting strong numbers across multiple defensive categories. The following year in 2022 represented the peak of his collegiate career, as he recorded 50 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, four pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles. Those dominant performances earned him first-team All-Mid-American Conference recognition and positioned him as a legitimate NFL draft prospect entering the 2023 selection process.
Karl Brooks Career
College Football (2018–2022)
Brooks played five seasons of college football for the Bowling Green Falcons, establishing himself as one of the program’s most productive defensive players in recent history. He finished his collegiate career with 167 total tackles, 46 of which were for a loss, along with 27.5 sacks, one interception, five pass deflections, five forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. His statistical production and on-field consistency made him a respected figure within the Mid-American Conference and a prospect of interest for professional teams.
Despite his strong numbers, Brooks was not projected as a high-round selection entering the 2023 NFL draft. Pre-draft analysis placed him as a potential fourth or fifth round pick, which reflected both his proven production and questions about his athletic testing at the professional level. The gap between his college production and draft projection added motivation to prove his worth after the selection process concluded.
NFL Breakthrough (2023)
Brooks was selected in the sixth round, 179th overall, by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft, a selection that many analysts viewed as strong value. He signed his rookie contract with the team on May 5, 2023, officially beginning his professional career in the National Football League. As a sixth-round pick, Brooks faced the challenge of carving out a meaningful role on a Packers roster with established talent across the defensive line.
He quickly demonstrated the work ethic and football intelligence that made him an appealing draft target, contributing as a rotational player on the defensive line and participating on special teams. His ability to absorb the Packers defensive scheme and apply it in game situations helped him earn increased playing time as the 2023 season progressed, establishing him as a reliable depth option for the coaching staff.
Green Bay Packers Era (2023–Present)
Brooks has remained with the Green Bay Packers since being drafted in 2023, building on his rookie season with continued growth and increasing responsibilities on the defensive line. The Packers have provided a stable environment for his development, with a coaching staff that has emphasized the importance of interior defensive line depth and rotational flexibility. His progression from rookie contributor to established rotational player reflects both his individual effort and the team’s investment in his development as a professional.
In Week 11 of the 2024 season, against divisional rivals the Chicago Bears, Brooks delivered one of the defining moments of his career to that point. He blocked a potential game-winning field goal attempt from kicker Cairo Santos as time expired in regulation, preserving a 20–19 Packers victory and improving the team record to 7–3. The play was widely recognized as a season-altering moment for Green Bay and earned Brooks NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Playing Style and Strengths
Brooks plays the defensive tackle position with a combination of power, hand technique, and consistent effort that makes him effective against both the run and the pass. His size at 6 ft 3 in and 296 lb provides the frame to hold his ground against double teams in running situations while also generating enough interior push to disrupt passing plays. His career college production of 27.5 sacks demonstrates his ability to win one-on-one matchups and pressure quarterbacks from the interior of the defensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
The blocked field goal against the Chicago Bears in November 2024 stands as the signature moment of Karl Brooks career to date, a play that directly decided the outcome of a critical divisional matchup and earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition. Beyond that singular moment, his consistent contributions across defense and special teams have established him as a valued member of the Green Bay Packers organization. Reaching the National Football League as a sixth-round draft pick and developing into a rotational contributor represents a significant professional milestone.
Karl Brooks Career Stats
Karl Brooks has built a solid professional résumé through the 2025 season, combining his college production at Bowling Green with his contributions for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League. His college career established him as one of the more productive defensive linemen in the Mid-American Conference, while his NFL tenure has demonstrated his ability to translate that production to the highest level of professional football.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Karl Brooks has appeared in 38 games for the Green Bay Packers, recording 72 total tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and seven pass deflections. His most notable play came in November 2024, when he blocked the game-winning field goal attempt by the Chicago Bears, a performance that earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and preserved a 20–19 Packers victory.
College Achievements
At Bowling Green, Brooks earned third-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 2021 and first-team All-Mid-American Conference recognition in 2022 following a senior season in which he recorded 50 tackles, 18 for loss, and 10 sacks. His career totals of 167 tackles and 27.5 sacks place him among the most productive defensive players in recent Falcons history.
| Series | Tackles | Sacks | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2023–2025) | 72 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| College Career | 167 | 27.5 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
2025 Season Performance
Karl Brooks continued to contribute as a rotational defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers during the 2025 season, maintaining the role he established since being drafted in 2023. His experience from previous seasons allowed him to provide reliable depth along the defensive interior while continuing to participate on special teams. The Packers coaching staff has consistently valued his work ethic, football intelligence, and ability to make impactful plays when called upon.
Brooks performance through the 2025 season reflects steady development as a professional, building on the foundation established during his college career at Bowling Green and his initial NFL seasons. His ability to contribute across defense and special teams gives the Packers flexibility in their defensive line rotations, and his experience in the system positions him as a valued depth option as the team competes in the National Football League.