Laken Tomlinson Bio
Laken Tomlinson (born February 9, 1992) is a Jamaican-American professional football guard who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Tomlinson has built a durable and productive NFL career spanning over a decade, with 173 games played and 162 starts across multiple franchises. He earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2021 and has established himself as a reliable starting guard at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Laken Tomlinson was born in Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica, on February 9, 1992. He moved to Chicago, Illinois, with his family in March 2003, settling in the Rogers Park neighborhood. His early years in America would set the foundation for his future football career in the United States.
Tomlinson attended Lane Technical College Prep High School in Chicago, where he excelled as a two-sport athlete in both football and track and field. As a senior, he earned All-state selection from both the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and the Chicago Tribune. He was named the team’s MVP and was a two-time All-city selection. His four-time first-team All-conference selection highlighted his consistent dominance on the field.
Path to American Football
Tomlinson’s high school football achievements reached their peak when he helped lead Lane Tech to the 2008 Chicago Public League football championship. This success caught the attention of college scouts and set the stage for his transition to major college football.
In addition to his football accomplishments, Tomlinson was an exceptional track and field athlete at Lane Tech. At the 2009 Chicago Public League Track and Field Championship, he won the discus throw with a mark of 140 feet, 6 inches and finished second in the shot put. He continued to improve, posting personal bests of 141 feet, 1 inch in the discus and 47 feet, 7 inches in the shot put at the Illinois 3A State Championship.
Laken Tomlinson Career
College Career at Duke (2010–2014)
Laken Tomlinson enrolled at Duke University in 2010 and immediately demonstrated his talent by earning a starting role as a freshman. Over his four seasons with the Blue Devils, he started 52 games, showcasing consistency and development as an offensive lineman. His performance in 2014 as a senior was exceptional, earning him recognition as an All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Tomlinson’s collegiate career reached its pinnacle in 2014 when he was named a Consensus All-American and First-team All-ACC. He was also honored with the Anthony J. McKevlin Award in 2015, recognizing him as the men’s ACC Athlete of the Year. His impressive college career made him a highly regarded prospect for the NFL Draft.
Detroit Lions (2015–2016)
The Detroit Lions selected Laken Tomlinson with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. This selection made him the first Duke player to be chosen in the first round of an NFL Draft since Mike Junkin in 1987. Tomlinson immediately joined the Lions’ offensive line as a guard and began his professional career with the franchise that had invested a first-round selection in him.
San Francisco 49ers (2017–2021)
On August 31, 2017, the Lions traded Tomlinson to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2019 fifth-round draft pick. After missing the season opener, Tomlinson started the next 15 games at left guard during the 2017 season, quickly establishing himself as a key piece of the 49ers’ offensive line.
On May 2, 2018, the 49ers declined the fifth-year option on Tomlinson’s contract, making him a free agent in 2019. However, the team quickly secured his services by signing him to a three-year, $18 million extension on June 22, 2018, with $10 million guaranteed. This contract reflected the team’s confidence in his abilities. Tomlinson’s tenure with the 49ers culminated in his selection to the Pro Bowl following the 2021 season, the lone Pro Bowl appearance of his career.
New York Jets (2022–2023)
On March 17, 2022, Tomlinson signed a three-year contract with the New York Jets, joining another franchise as a starting guard. He brought experience and stability to the Jets’ offensive line room during his two seasons with the team. On February 26, 2024, the Jets released Tomlinson, ending his tenure with the franchise.
Seattle Seahawks (2024)
On April 15, 2024, Tomlinson signed with the Seattle Seahawks, continuing his NFL journey with his fourth franchise. He competed for a starting guard position with the Seahawks during the 2024 season.
Houston Texans (2025)
On March 18, 2025, Tomlinson signed with the Houston Texans. He was named the Week 1 starting left guard and started seven of the first ten games of the season before being released on December 2, 2025. This brief tenure with the Texans concluded after ten games.
Baltimore Ravens (2025–Present)
On December 9, 2025, Tomlinson signed with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad. This move brought him to his sixth NFL franchise, continuing his journeyman career with a team known for its strong offensive line tradition. His addition to the practice squad provided experienced depth along the offensive front.
Playing Style and Strengths
Laken Tomlinson is known for his reliability and consistency as an interior offensive lineman. His experience spanning multiple franchises demonstrates his ability to adapt to different offensive schemes and team cultures. Tomlinson’s combination of size, strength, and football intelligence has allowed him to maintain a starting role in the NFL for over a decade.
Notable Achievements
Tomlinson’s most significant professional achievement remains his Pro Bowl selection in 2021 during his time with the San Francisco 49ers. That recognition validated his standing as one of the league’s top guards during that season. His durability is evidenced by his 173 career games played and 162 starts, numbers that underscore his value to every team he has joined.
Laken Tomlinson Awards and Honors
Throughout his football career, Laken Tomlinson has accumulated notable individual honors at both the collegiate and professional levels. His college accolades highlight his dominance in the ACC, while his professional recognition demonstrates his successful transition to the NFL.
Professional Honors
Tomlinson earned his first and only Pro Bowl selection in 2021 while serving as the starting left guard for the San Francisco 49ers. This single Pro Bowl appearance represents the peak of his professional achievements to date and recognizes his performance during a season in which he anchored a 49ers offensive line that helped power the team to playoff success.
College Accolades
At Duke University, Tomlinson established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the Atlantic Coast Conference. His senior season in 2014 saw him earn Consensus All-American honors, placing him among the top collegiate players nationwide. He won the Anthony J. McKevlin Award in 2015, recognizing him as the top male athlete in the ACC. Additionally, he earned First-team All-ACC honors in 2014 and Second-team All-ACC recognition in 2013, demonstrating his consistent excellence over multiple seasons.
Laken Tomlinson Career Statistics
Laken Tomlinson has been a durable and productive starter throughout his NFL career. His statistics reflect his ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level across multiple seasons and different defensive fronts he has faced.
NFL Career Stats
Through Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season, Tomlinson has played in 173 career games with 162 starts. His experience level ranks among the highest for active offensive guards in the league. His durability has been a hallmark of his career, with him missing minimal games throughout his decade-long professional tenure.
| Season | Games | Starts | Pro Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Total | 173 | 162 | 1 |
Laken Tomlinson Family
Family Background
Laken Tomlinson was born in Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica, before his family relocated to Chicago, Illinois in 2003. His Jamaican heritage has remained an important part of his identity throughout his professional football career. The move to Chicago at age 11 provided him with the opportunity to develop his football skills in the American system.
Personal Life
Tomlinson resides in Chicago, Illinois, maintaining his connection to the city where he grew up and attended high school. His Instagram account (@ltomlinson10) documents aspects of his professional and personal life for his fans. As of the most recent information available, no public details regarding a spouse or children have been disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season has been a transitional year for Laken Tomlinson. After signing with the Houston Texans in March, he earned the Week 1 starting left guard role and started seven of his first ten games. However, the Texans released him on December 2, 2025, ending his tenure with the franchise after a limited sample of playing time.
Shortly after his release from Houston, Tomlinson signed with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad on December 9, 2025. This move to Baltimore marks his sixth different NFL franchise and provides him with an opportunity to join a team with championship aspirations. The Ravens’ offensive line has been a strength of the team in recent years, and Tomlinson’s experience adds valuable depth to their interior offensive line rotation.