Jalen Brooks Bio
Jalen Allen Brooks is an American professional football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds, Brooks lines up as a pass catcher and also contributes on special teams as a returner. He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks after beginning his career at the Division II level. Brooks entered the NFL in 2023 when he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys before eventually landing in Arizona.
Through his first three NFL seasons, Brooks has built a résumé as a depth receiver and special teams contributor. He has appeared in regular-season games for two franchises and has continued to develop his route running and blocking. His journey from a small-town North Carolina high school to the NFL reflects steady progression through the college ranks.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Allen Brooks was born on May 7, 2000, in Harrisburg, North Carolina. He grew up in the Charlotte metropolitan area, where football is a central part of local sports culture. Brooks attended Northwestern High School before transferring to Hickory Ridge High School, where he finished his prep career.
As a senior at Hickory Ridge, Brooks recorded 44 receptions for 771 yards with nine touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable target. His size and production drew attention from college programs, and he ultimately committed to play at Wingate, a Division II program. Brooks also ran track during his time at Wingate, which helped him develop the speed and explosiveness that would later support his transition to higher levels of competition.
Path to American Football
Brooks began his collegiate career at Wingate University, where he quickly earned a role in the offense. As a true freshman in 2018, he played 12 games and posted 17 receptions for 297 yards and four touchdowns. The following season, he started 11 of 12 appearances and tallied 751 receiving yards off 35 catches with six scores, including 100-yard games against Virginia–Wise, Newberry, and UNC Pembroke. His play helped Wingate post a 10–2 record and earn a playoff berth, and he was named first-team All-South Atlantic Conference in 2019.
Seeking a stronger stage, Brooks transferred to Tarleton State in 2020, but before the season started he transferred again to South Carolina to join the SEC program. After sitting out part of the year due to eligibility rules, he finished 2020 with 11 receptions for 100 yards. In 2021, he started the first six games and recorded 14 catches for 181 yards with one score before leaving the team for personal reasons. Brooks returned to South Carolina for the 2022 season and started all 12 games, registering 33 catches for 504 yards, both second on the team, with one receiving touchdown and one rushing score. He then declared for the NFL draft after missing the Gator Bowl for an off-field issue.
Jalen Brooks Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Brooks’ early career at Wingate laid the foundation for his professional trajectory. During the 2018 season, he adjusted to the college game and flashed the traits that would define his skill set, including contested-catch ability and toughness over the middle. By 2019, he had grown into one of the Bulldogs’ top weapons, delivering multiple 100-yard performances and earning All-South Atlantic Conference recognition.
His production at the Division II level convinced him that he could compete against higher-caliber defenders. That confidence, paired with his track background, motivated his decision to seek a transfer to a Football Bowl Subdivision program. The choice to pursue South Carolina set the stage for his eventual entry into the NFL.
SEC Transition (2020–2022)
Brooks’ transition to the SEC required patience and persistence. After arriving at South Carolina in 2020, he waited through an eligibility delay before contributing as a rotational receiver. He showed enough during his limited 2020 snaps and during the early portion of 2021 to demonstrate that he belonged at the major-college level, even after stepping away from the team midseason.
His 2022 return marked his most complete college season. Starting all 12 games, Brooks ranked second on the Gamecocks in both receptions and receiving yards while also contributing on rushing downs. The campaign positioned him as a legitimate NFL prospect and led directly to his decision to declare for the 2023 draft.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2023–2025)
Brooks was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round, 244th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in seven games and finished with six receptions for 64 yards while learning the Cowboys’ offensive system. He was declared inactive for 11 contests that season.
In 2024, Brooks carved out a larger role, appearing in 14 games with one start. He recorded 12 receptions for 177 yards, added four special teams tackles, and scored his first career touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Week 15. Highlights included his first career start against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 and a career-long 41-yard catch against the Washington Commanders in Week 14. Heading into 2025, he was pushed down the depth chart during preseason, was waived as part of final roster cuts, re-signed to the practice squad, and later elevated before suffering a knee injury against the New York Jets in Week 5. He was released on October 25 with an injury settlement.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025–Present)
On October 30, 2025, Brooks signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. He was elevated three times before being promoted to the active roster on December 16 to provide depth at wide receiver. Since joining the active roster, Brooks has appeared in six games, recording three receptions for 51 yards and 10 kickoff returns for 254 yards.
His move to Arizona has offered a fresh opportunity to reset his trajectory. The Cardinals’ depth chart at receiver has given him meaningful snaps down the stretch of the season. Brooks has responded with reliable contributions in the receiving game and on special teams, areas where his size and toughness translate to the next level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brooks plays with the physicality of a possession receiver, using his 6-foot-2 frame to win contested throws and shield defenders. He shows dependable hands and the willingness to block on the perimeter, traits that have helped him stay employed on special teams. His track background gives him the acceleration to separate on intermediate routes and the toughness to handle the NFL’s increased physicality.
Notable Events and Milestones
Brooks’ first career NFL touchdown came against the Carolina Panthers in Week 15 of the 2024 season. He also logged a career-long 41-yard reception against the Washington Commanders in Week 14 of that same year. His promotion to the Arizona Cardinals’ active roster in December 2025 marked another career milestone as he continues to build his professional résumé.
Jalen Brooks Career Wins
As a depth receiver and special teams contributor, Brooks has notched a series of incremental career milestones rather than headline win totals. His verified regular-season totals through the 2025 season include 21 receptions for 292 yards and 1 receiving touchdown across his time with the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. These figures underscore his role as a rotational player who has produced when called upon.
NFL Highlights
Brooks’ most notable NFL highlights include his first career touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in 2024 and his career-long 41-yard catch against the Washington Commanders later that season. With the Arizona Cardinals, he contributed 10 kickoff returns for 254 yards after being promoted to the active roster. His path from seventh-round pick to active-roster contributor reflects the steady climb of a late-round selection.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Brooks earned first-team All-South Atlantic Conference honors in 2019 after a standout season at Wingate. He also helped Wingate post a 10–2 record and earn a Division II playoff berth that year. These accomplishments established him as a player capable of producing against high-level competition.
Jalen Brooks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jalen Brooks’ parents and extended family is limited. He grew up in Harrisburg, North Carolina, and developed his athletic foundation there before pursuing football at the collegiate level. Further details about his family background are not widely documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Brooks has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye, and verified information about a spouse or children has not been publicly confirmed. His career has required him to relocate from North Carolina to South Carolina for college and then to Texas and Arizona for the NFL. He maintains a presence on Instagram under the handle referenced by his official team profile.
2025 Season Performance
Brooks’ 2025 campaign began with the Dallas Cowboys, where he struggled to secure a roster spot during preseason. After being waived and re-signed to the practice squad, he was elevated for a Week 5 matchup against the New York Jets but suffered a knee injury. The Cowboys released him on October 25 with an injury settlement, ending his second stint with the team.
Brooks signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad on October 30 and was elevated three times before being promoted to the active roster on December 16. With the Cardinals, he appeared in six games, recording three receptions for 51 yards while adding 10 kickoff returns for 254 yards. His late-season contributions helped stabilize Arizona’s depth at receiver amid injuries.
Looking ahead, Brooks will look to build on his December momentum and compete for a larger role in the Cardinals’ offense. His versatility as a receiver and returner gives him a clear path to remaining on an active roster, and his experience in two NFL systems should help him refine his craft. Continued growth in route precision and special teams reliability will shape his outlook entering the next phase of his career.