Brandin Echols Bio
Brandin Echols is an American professional football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 179 pounds, he plays the cornerback position at the professional level and has remained active since entering the league. He previously played for the New York Jets after being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Echols built his reputation as a physical cornerback through a college path that included junior college football before reaching the Southeastern Conference. His professional career has spanned multiple franchises and has included both starting responsibilities and special teams contributions.
Early Life and Background
Brandin Echols was born on October 16, 1997, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in the Memphis area and attended Southaven High School in Southaven, Mississippi, where he began his football journey. His early exposure to competitive football came through the local high school program, which prepared him for the next stage of his athletic development.
Coming out of high school, Echols was not widely recruited as a top-tier prospect, and he chose to begin his college career at the junior college level. He attended Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he played football in 2017 and 2018. During his time at Northwest Mississippi, Echols originally lined up as a wide receiver before making a position switch to defensive back as a freshman, a move that would shape his future as a cornerback.
His performance at the junior college level earned him recognition, including a second-team NJCAA All-American selection in 2018. He was also rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com coming out of junior college, which helped him attract attention from four-year programs.
Path to American Football
Following his two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College, Echols committed to the University of Kentucky on September 23, 2018. He played for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2019 and 2020, competing in the Southeastern Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in college football. The transition from junior college to a Power Five program represented a significant step up in the level of competition.
During his time at Kentucky, Echols continued to develop his skills as a defensive back. In the 2021 Gator Bowl, he recorded his first interception for the Wildcats, providing a notable early highlight at the major college level. His combination of junior college pedigree and SEC experience positioned him as a prospect for the upcoming NFL draft.
Echols entered the 2021 NFL draft process and was selected by the New York Jets with the 200th overall pick in the sixth round. On May 7, 2021, he officially signed with the Jets, beginning his professional football career.
Brandin Echols Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Brandin Echols began his NFL career with the New York Jets in 2021. He was named a starting cornerback to begin his rookie season, an unusual assignment for a sixth-round pick. Echols started the first nine games of the season, showing enough early promise to earn a regular role in the Jets secondary.
His rookie season was interrupted in Week 10 when he suffered a thigh injury. On November 16, 2021, Echols was placed on injured reserve, and he was later activated on December 11 of that year. In 2022, Echols played in 13 games for the Jets, tallying eight total tackles, but his season ended after he was placed on injured reserve on January 7, 2023. On May 25, 2023, he was suspended one game by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy following a 2022 car crash.
New York Jets Era (2021–2024)
Across his four seasons with the New York Jets, Brandin Echols developed into a reliable depth cornerback and special teams contributor. He wore jersey number 26 and remained active in the secondary rotation, even when not in a starting role. His experience in the Jets system allowed him to grow his understanding of professional defensive schemes.
During his Jets tenure, Echols built a reputation as a physical defender willing to contribute on special teams. His time in New York included both starting stretches and reserve duties, with injuries affecting portions of multiple seasons.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Brandin Echols signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking the next chapter of his professional career. The contract runs through the 2026 season, providing him with stability as he joins a new defensive unit. His move to Pittsburgh represented an opportunity to compete for a role in a different defensive system.
As an active member of the Steelers roster, Echols brings experience from his previous NFL seasons and familiarity with multiple coverage responsibilities. His addition provided Pittsburgh with additional depth at the cornerback position heading into the 2025 season.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant off-field events of Brandin Echols’s career occurred on April 22, 2022, when he was involved in a two-car crash in Florham Park, New Jersey. The incident resulted in the partial paralysis of the other driver. Echols had been traveling 84 mph in a 50 mph zone before making contact with the other vehicle. In January 2023, he was charged with fourth-degree assault by auto and was summoned for reckless driving, speeding, failure to wear a seat belt, an unsafe lane change, and improper passing. On March 10, 2023, he was accepted into a diversionary program to avoid the charges.
Brandin Echols Family
Personal Life
Limited public information is available about Brandin Echols’s immediate family members or personal relationships. He grew up in the Memphis, Tennessee, area and attended high school across the state line in Southaven, Mississippi. His personal life has largely been kept private outside of his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Brandin Echols’s first year with the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing a two-year contract in March 2025. He joined a Steelers secondary looking to add experienced depth at the cornerback position. His familiarity with multiple defensive responsibilities from his Jets tenure positioned him as a versatile addition to the Pittsburgh defense.
Through his career, Echols has accumulated 170 total tackles, 22 pass deflections, 7 interceptions, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 defensive touchdowns, according to NFL statistics as of 2025. These totals reflect a career built on physical play in the secondary and meaningful contributions on special teams.
Looking ahead, Echols is expected to compete for a meaningful role within the Steelers defensive rotation. His contract runs through the 2026 season, giving him an opportunity to establish himself as a long-term contributor in Pittsburgh. His progress during the 2025 season will likely shape his role with the franchise moving forward.
