Jake Hansen Bio
Jake Hansen (born June 19, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 230 pounds, he plays wearing jersey number 35. Hansen went undrafted in 2022 but quickly established himself on the Texans roster, where he has remained as an active linebacker through the present day. His combination of production and perseverance has defined his early NFL career.
Early Life and Background
Jake Hansen was born on June 19, 1998, in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He grew up in the Tampa Bay area, where he attended East Lake High School in Tarpon Springs. At East Lake, Hansen developed into a standout high school linebacker, earning recognition that helped set the stage for his college recruitment. His early exposure to football in Florida, a region known for producing NFL talent, shaped his development as a physical, instinctive defender.
Hansen’s high school résumé attracted attention from several college programs, and he ultimately committed to the University of Illinois. The decision to leave Florida for the Big Ten Conference gave him the chance to test himself against top-tier competition and grow as a player. His preparation in Tarpon Springs, combined with his family support, gave him a steady foundation heading into college football.
Path to American Football
Hansen’s path to professional football began at East Lake High School, where his high school performance positioned him as a coveted college recruit. His selection of Illinois reflected a desire to compete at the highest level of college football and to develop within a respected defensive system. Coaches and teammates quickly recognized his football intelligence, tackling ability, and nose for the football.
Through consistent work in the weight room and on the practice field, Hansen built the body and skill set required of an FBS linebacker. His progression from high school standout to multi-year college starter at Illinois set the foundation for his eventual entry into the NFL. Although he went undrafted in 2022, his college production kept him firmly on professional radars.
Jake Hansen Career
Early Career at Illinois (2016–2021)
Jake Hansen was a member of the Illinois Fighting Illini for six seasons, using the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who participated in the 2020 season, which had been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. He became a three-time captain and a defensive leader for the program. Hansen led the nation in takeaways over two seasons (2019 and 2020), establishing himself as one of the conference’s most disruptive linebackers.
His college career included impressive statistical totals. He finished his time at Illinois with 276 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. He also forced 12 fumbles, recovered seven fumbles, and intercepted three passes. Hansen ranked second in school history for forced fumbles with 12, and he was named Second-team All-Big Ten in 2020. A season-ending knee injury cut his sixth year short, but his body of work across six seasons left a clear mark on the Illinois program.
NFL Breakthrough with the Houston Texans (2022–Present)
Hansen signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He earned a spot on the team’s initial 53-man roster coming out of training camp, a notable achievement for a player without a draft selection. As a rookie in 2022, he appeared in 11 games and started two, finishing the season with 25 total tackles (15 solo), one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. That debut season proved he belonged on an NFL roster.
Continuing his development in subsequent seasons, Hansen has remained a regular contributor for the Texans. As of the 2024 season, his career NFL statistics include 65 total tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. On March 10, 2025, Hansen re-signed with the Texans on a one-year contract worth $2 million. On November 3, 2025, he and the team agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract extension, reflecting his growing value to the defense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jake Hansen is best known for his aggressive run-stopping, instincts around the football, and knack for forcing fumbles. His college record of 12 forced fumbles and his career takeaway leadership underscored his nose for the ball, while his 28.5 tackles for loss demonstrated his effectiveness at the line of scrimmage. At the NFL level, he has translated that physicality into consistent tackling and defensive disruption for the Houston Texans.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hansen’s defining moments was his undrafted free-agent signing with the Texans in May 2022, followed by his rapid rise to the 53-man roster. His Second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2020 and his role as a three-time captain at Illinois stand out as major collegiate milestones. The 2025 contract re-signing and subsequent one-year extension further cemented his standing within the organization.
Jake Hansen Career Wins
While football is a team sport without singular victories attributed to one player, Jake Hansen has accumulated impressive individual production and honors across his career. His college résumé and growing NFL statistics reflect consistent on-field success since 2016.
College and NFL Highlights
At Illinois, Hansen was named Second-team All-Big Ten in 2020 and led the nation in takeaways across the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He finished his college career with 276 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 12 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, and three interceptions. In the NFL, he has produced 65 total tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery as of the 2024 season.
Other Performances
Hansen has served as a rotational and starting linebacker for the Houston Texans since 2022, appearing in 11 games with two starts as a rookie. His continued presence on the 53-man roster and his 2025 contract re-signing both reflect sustained contributions to one of the NFL’s active franchises.
Jake Hansen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jake Hansen’s immediate family beyond his marriage is limited. He was raised in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and his upbringing in that region played a formative role in his athletic development.
Personal Life
Jake Hansen is married to Margeaux Adam, his college sweetheart. The two were wed in a ceremony held in Chicago in June of 2025. Hansen has often credited his family as a steady source of support throughout his football journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a defining year for Jake Hansen with the Houston Texans. He re-signed with the team on March 10, 2025, on a one-year contract worth $2 million, signaling the organization’s confidence in his role. Through the early portion of the season, he has continued to contribute as a linebacker on defense.
On November 3, 2025, Hansen and the Texans agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract extension, a strong endorsement of his performance and his value within the defensive scheme. The new deal represented a step up from his previous contract and reflected his production on the field. His continued presence in the rotation has provided the Texans with reliable linebacker play.
Looking ahead, Hansen’s blend of experience, leadership, and on-field production positions him as a key depth piece and rotational starter for the Texans. With his contract situation settled through the 2025 season, he can focus on building toward an even larger role within the defense in the seasons that follow.