Chris Claybrooks Bio
Chris Claybrooks (born July 17, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback. He is currently active in the United Football League (UFL), most recently playing for the Orlando Storm. Over the course of his career, Claybrooks has competed at the college, NFL, and UFL levels, building a reputation as a versatile defensive back with experience on special teams.
A Nashville native, Claybrooks began his athletic journey at McGavock High School before continuing at the junior college level and eventually earning a roster spot at a major NCAA program. His professional journey has included a stint with an NFL franchise and continued play in spring professional football, demonstrating a sustained commitment to the sport.
Early Life and Background
Chris Claybrooks was born on July 17, 1998, in Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States. He grew up in the Nashville area and attended McGavock High School, where he developed his early interest in football. His time at McGavock laid the foundation for the athletic path that would later take him through multiple college programs and into professional football.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and listed at 180 pounds, Claybrooks developed his game in Tennessee before venturing outside the state for his college career. His upbringing in a football-rich region of the country helped shape his competitive approach and prepared him for the rigors of higher-level competition.
Path to American Football
Claybrooks began his college football career in 2016 at Fort Scott Community College, where he played for the Fort Scott Greyhounds. After one season, he transferred to Coahoma Community College in 2017, where he played wide receiver for the Coahoma Tigers. It was at Coahoma that he began to attract attention for his playmaking ability, though his position was about to change.
When Claybrooks transferred to the University of Memphis to play for the Memphis Tigers from 2018 to 2019, he made a pivotal switch from wide receiver to cornerback. The position change required him to learn defensive techniques quickly, but his athletic background gave him a strong foundation. In 2018, he missed five games due to a foot injury, but he bounced back in 2019 with 42 tackles and a kickoff return for a touchdown. He also made an impact in the American Athletic Conference Championship game against Cincinnati, recording an interception and forcing a fumble.
Chris Claybrooks Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
Claybrooks entered the NFL when he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 223rd overall pick. His selection marked the culmination of his college journey and the start of his professional career. During his rookie season, he was placed on injured reserve on November 26, 2020, before being activated off the list on December 19, 2020.
Across his time with Jacksonville through the 2023 season, Claybrooks recorded 81 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 5 pass deflections, and 466 return yards, according to NFL statistics tracked through 2023. He became a free agent after the 2023 season and was subsequently suspended eight games by the NFL on August 23, 2024, as a result of prior legal issues.
UFL Career (2025–Present)
On January 21, 2025, Claybrooks signed with the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move to the UFL offered him an opportunity to return to competitive football following his NFL suspension. The Arlington Renegades provided a platform for him to resume his career as a cornerback.
On January 13, 2026, Claybrooks was selected by the Orlando Storm in the 2026 UFL Draft. He was released on March 19, 2026, before being re-signed by the Storm on April 28, 2026. His journey through the UFL has reflected both the opportunities and the challenges of navigating professional football outside the NFL.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Claybrooks’s college career came in the 2019 American Athletic Conference Championship game, where his interception and forced fumble highlighted his growing impact as a defensive player. His seventh-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft also stands as a major milestone, marking his official entry into professional football. The transition between multiple leagues and teams over his career illustrates his persistence in pursuing the sport at the highest levels available to him.
Chris Claybrooks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Chris Claybrooks’s family background and upbringing are limited in publicly available sources. He was raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and attended McGavock High School, where his athletic interests began to take shape. Further verified information about his parents or family members involved in athletics has not been publicly documented.
Personal Life
Publicly verified information regarding Chris Claybrooks’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, or children, has not been confirmed in available sources. On April 15, 2023, he was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, on charges of domestic assault with bodily injury and vandalism under $1,000. On July 21, 2023, he was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida, on charges of domestic violence. These incidents were cited as factors in the NFL’s decision to issue an eight-game suspension in August 2024.
2025 Season Performance
Chris Claybrooks’s 2025 season was spent with the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League, after signing with the team on January 21, 2025. The move represented his return to competitive football following his NFL suspension, and he contributed as a cornerback for the Arlington-based franchise throughout the season.
His role with the Renegades allowed him to continue building his professional resume in spring football, showcasing the skills that originally earned him an NFL opportunity. The 2025 campaign provided a platform for Claybrooks to demonstrate his durability and defensive capabilities after a year away from the field.
Looking ahead from the 2025 season, Claybrooks’s career trajectory pointed toward continued play in the UFL, as evidenced by his selection in the 2026 UFL Draft by the Orlando Storm. His ongoing presence in professional football highlights his commitment to the sport despite the challenges he has faced along the way.
