JL Skinner Bio
JL Skinner III is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 220 pounds, Skinner plays a physical brand of football that has suited him well on defense and on special teams units. After developing at Boise State, where he earned All-Conference recognition in consecutive seasons, he entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick in 2023 and has continued to carve out a role in Denver.
Born and raised in Southern California, Skinner built his foundation as a multi-sport athlete before focusing on football. He is a product of Point Loma High School in San Diego and the Boise State Broncos college program, and he is regarded as a hard-hitting, downhill defender whose special teams contributions have helped him stay on an active NFL roster.
Early Life and Background
JL Skinner III was born on April 16, 2001, in San Diego, California. He grew up in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego, where he attended Point Loma High School. His size and athletic profile developed at a young age, and he quickly stood out among his peers, eventually emerging as a college-level prospect by the end of his high school years.
Coming out of Point Loma, Skinner was regarded as a tall, rangy defensive back with the frame to add weight and the speed to cover ground. He committed to Boise State, choosing the Broncos program for its track record of developing defensive backs and its opportunity for early playing time. That decision set the stage for a college career defined by steady progression and heavy usage on the back end of the defense.
Path to American Football
Skinner arrived at Boise State in 2019 and immediately found the field, playing in all 14 of the Broncos’ games as a freshman. The following year, during a COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign, he started all six of the team’s games and logged 37 tackles with one interception, signaling that he was ready for a larger role.
As an upperclassman, Skinner became one of the anchors of the Boise State secondary. He was named second-team All-Mountain West Conference after a productive season in which he tallied 92 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles. He briefly considered entering the 2022 NFL Draft but opted to return for his senior season, a decision that allowed him to refine his game and improve his draft stock.
JL Skinner Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Skinner’s early career was spent entirely at Boise State, where he developed into one of the most reliable tacklers in the Mountain West Conference. Across his four college seasons, he served as a full-time starter for the majority of his career, lining up at safety while also contributing on special teams coverage units.
His progression year over year was steady rather than flashy. He added mass and strength to his tall frame, sharpened his angles as a tackler, and became a vocal leader in the secondary by his final season. His work earned him First-team All-Mountain West recognition in 2022, capping his college career on a high note and positioning him for the next level.
NFL Breakthrough (2023–Present)
Skinner was selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round, 183rd overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in two games during the 2023 season, working primarily as a special teamer while learning the Broncos’ defensive schemes. The limited role was a typical adjustment period for a late-round draft pick.
Over time, Skinner earned a more consistent place in Denver’s plans. During the 2025 season, he appeared in all 17 games for the Broncos, recording one fumble recovery and 12 combined tackles. After the season concluded, Skinner revealed on February 18, 2026, that he had been playing through a torn labrum that ultimately required surgery, underscoring the toughness that has defined his early professional tenure.
Driving Style and Strengths
Skinner’s game is built around his rare combination of size and physicality for the safety position. He is most effective as a run-support defender and tackler in the box, where his length and willingness to come downhill are at their best. He is also a reliable contributor on special teams, a role he has embraced as a way to remain on the field while continuing to develop as a defensive player.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Skinner’s young career came in 2022, when he earned First-team All-Mountain West honors in his final college season. His appearance in all 17 games during the 2025 NFL season marked his most significant professional milestone to date, and his public disclosure of playing through a torn labrum highlighted the resilience that has become part of his professional identity.
JL Skinner Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, JL Skinner III has accumulated recognition in the form of All-Conference selections and a sustained role in the NFL. While he has not yet posted a Pro Bowl or All-Pro résumé, his statistical production and special teams reliability have helped him remain an active member of the Denver Broncos roster.
All-Mountain West Highlights
Skinner’s two most notable individual honors came in consecutive seasons at Boise State. In 2021, he was named Second-team All-Mountain West after racking up 92 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles. The following year, in 2022, he elevated his play to earn First-team All-Mountain West recognition in his senior campaign.
Other Performances
Beyond his conference honors, Skinner contributed steadily on special teams throughout his time in Denver. He appeared in two games as a rookie in 2023, then played in all 17 games in 2025, finishing that season with one fumble recovery and 12 combined tackles. His durability and special teams value have been central to his early professional profile.
JL Skinner Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Details about JL Skinner III’s immediate family are limited in publicly available sources. He is identified by the suffix III, indicating a family tradition that carries the Skinner name across generations, and he was raised in the Point Loma community of San Diego, California.
Personal Life
Skinner has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye, and there are no widely reported details about a spouse or children. He is known to have grown up in San Diego and to have committed to Boise State, where he spent the formative years of his adult life before beginning his NFL career with the Denver Broncos.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented JL Skinner III’s most significant professional opportunity to date. He appeared in all 17 games for the Denver Broncos, serving in a hybrid role on defense and on special teams units. His statistical output included one fumble recovery and 12 combined tackles, while his value in coverage and on kicking teams helped him log a full season of contributions.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, Skinner revealed on February 18, 2026, that he had been dealing with a torn labrum during the season. The injury ultimately required surgery, providing context for some of the physical demands he shouldered throughout the year. His willingness to play through the injury reflected the mentality he has carried since his Boise State days.
Looking ahead, Skinner remains under contract with the Denver Broncos as he works back from surgery. His combination of size, special teams ability, and experience in Denver’s defensive system positions him to compete for a larger role once he returns to full health, and his trajectory through the 2025 season suggested continued growth within the Broncos organization.
