Isaiah Stalbird

Isaiah Stalbird Bio

Isaiah Stalbird is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 215 pounds, he plays at the linebacker position wearing jersey number 44. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits before joining the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2024.

A native of Kearney, Nebraska, Stalbird joined the NFL after a standout career at South Dakota State, where he helped the Jackrabbits win back-to-back FCS national championships. He earned Second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2023 and quickly carved out a role on special teams in New Orleans before transitioning into the Saints linebacker rotation.

Early Life and Background

Isaiah Stalbird was born on July 16, 2000, in Kearney, Nebraska. He grew up in the same central Nebraska community that would later become synonymous with his name as a hometown sports figure. From an early age, Stalbird was drawn to athletics, and he developed a reputation as a hard-working, multi-sport competitor throughout his youth.

Stalbird attended Kearney High School, where he competed in football, soccer, and wrestling. On the football field, he was a versatile two-way player who helped lead his team to the state finals during his senior season. That year, he paced the Bearcats in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and fumble recoveries, finishing with 393 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns, 77 tackles, four fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.

His senior-year production earned him statewide recognition, including first-team All-Nebraska honors from the Omaha World-Herald and selection to the Super-State team by the Lincoln Journal Star. He walked on to play college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a pathway that reflected both his underdog background and his belief in earning a roster spot through performance.

Path to American Football

Stalbird redshirted as a true freshman at Nebraska during the 2018 season, using the year to adjust to the speed and demands of Division I football. In 2019, he appeared in 12 games, working mainly on special teams, where he tallied 13 tackles and a blocked punt. Those contributions helped him build a reputation as a reliable special-teams player with a nose for the football.

After the 2019 season, Stalbird transferred from Nebraska to South Dakota State, where he joined the Jackrabbits of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. He quickly became a defensive staple, appearing in all 10 games during the 2020–21 season and helping South Dakota State reach the FCS national championship while recording 30 tackles and four pass breakups. Initially used as a safety, he switched to linebacker ahead of the fall 2021 season, a move that aligned with his physical growth and tackling instincts.

At South Dakota State, Stalbird developed into one of the most productive defenders in the program. He started 14 of 15 games in 2021, finishing second on the team with 73 tackles and tying for the team lead with two forced fumbles. By the time he finished his college career, he had accumulated 238 tackles, 18.5 tackles-for-loss, 18 pass deflections, and five forced fumbles, along with multiple All-Conference honors.

Isaiah Stalbird Career

Early Career (2018–2020)

Stalbird began his college journey as a walk-on at Nebraska, redshirting his first year in 2018 to develop his frame and his understanding of the Cornhuskers’ defensive scheme. As a redshirt freshman in 2019, he earned playing time on special teams and contributed 13 tackles and a blocked punt, signaling that he had the toughness and discipline required to stick on a Big Ten roster.

Following the 2019 season, Stalbird made the decision to transfer to South Dakota State, seeking a larger defensive role. During the 2020–21 season, he appeared in all 10 games for the Jackrabbits and contributed immediately as a versatile defensive back and special-teams player, helping the program reach the FCS national championship that year.

South Dakota State Breakthrough (2021–2023)

Stalbird’s move to linebacker in fall 2021 marked the turning point of his college career. Starting 14 of 15 games that season, he posted 73 tackles and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles, quickly emerging as a tone-setter on the Jackrabbits defense. His combination of range, instincts, and physicality made him one of the conference’s most disruptive defenders.

In 2022, Stalbird started 10 games and finished third on the team with 55 tackles, while also ranking third on the squad with four pass breakups. That season ended with the highlight of his college career when South Dakota State defeated North Dakota State to win the 2022 FCS national championship. He returned for a final collegiate season in 2023, capping his career with another national title, 80 tackles, three sacks, and five pass breakups, along with Second-team All-MVFC recognition.

New Orleans Saints Era (2024–Present)

After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Isaiah Stalbird signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was also selected in the 10th round (78th overall) of the 2024 UFL draft by the Michigan Panthers. The Saints waived him on August 27, 2024, then re-signed him to their practice squad the following day, keeping his developmental trajectory within the organization.

Stalbird was elevated to the Saints’ active roster on September 14, 2024, for the team’s Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys, making his NFL debut with one tackle while playing 14 special teams snaps. On December 28, 2024, he was signed to the Saints’ active roster, cementing his place on the 53-man squad heading into the new year.

In Week 12 of the 2025 season against the Atlanta Falcons, Stalbird recorded his first career NFL sack, taking down quarterback Kirk Cousins. The moment marked a clear expansion of his role beyond special teams and signaled growing trust from the Saints coaching staff.

Driving Style and Strengths

Stalbird plays with the versatility of a converted safety and the physicality of a developing linebacker. He reads plays quickly, attacks downhill against the run, and uses his length to disrupt passing lanes. His background on special teams has also made him a reliable open-field tackler and a trusted piece of the Saints’ coverage units.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among the defining moments of Stalbird’s career are back-to-back FCS national championships with South Dakota State in 2022 and 2023, his Second-team All-MVFC honor in 2023, his NFL debut against the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, and his first career sack against the Atlanta Falcons in 2025.

Isaiah Stalbird Career Wins

At the college level, Isaiah Stalbird helped South Dakota State win two consecutive FCS national championships, in 2022 and 2023. He also earned Second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2023, recognizing his status among the top linebackers in his league during his final season of eligibility.

South Dakota State Highlights

Stalbird was a starting linebacker for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during both of their national title runs, providing steady production in the middle of the defense. In 2023, his final collegiate season, he tallied 80 tackles, three sacks, and five pass breakups while helping the program capture its second straight FCS crown.

Other Wins and Performances

Stalbird also reached the FCS national championship game during the 2020–21 season, his first year at South Dakota State, before winning titles the following two years. His steady climb from Nebraska walk-on to two-time national champion illustrates the consistency that has defined his playing career.

Isaiah Stalbird Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Isaiah Stalbird grew up in Kearney, Nebraska, where his family supported his athletic development from a young age. He attended Kearney High School, the same community where he built the foundation that would carry him to college football and eventually the NFL.

Personal Life

Stalbird is known to keep much of his personal life private, focusing public attention on his football career. He maintains a presence on social media under the handle zay_deuce, where he shares updates about his journey with the New Orleans Saints.

2025 Season Performance

Isaiah Stalbird’s 2025 season has represented his most visible role yet with the New Orleans Saints after being elevated from the practice squad late in 2024. Through his early-season appearances on special teams and in the defensive rotation, he has continued to earn opportunities as a linebacker in the Saints’ defensive packages.

The defining moment of his 2025 campaign came in Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons, when he recorded his first career NFL sack on veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. That play underscored his growth as a pass rusher and gave the Saints a young defender capable of producing in high-leverage situations.

As the season progresses, Stalbird remains an ascending piece of New Orleans’ defense and special teams, with his role expected to expand as he continues to build trust within the Saints’ defensive scheme. His trajectory from undrafted free agent to active contributor positions him as a developmental success story to watch.