Laken Tomlinson Bio
Laken Tomlinson (born February 9, 1992) is a Jamaican-American professional football guard who plays in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Duke Blue Devils, he was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing about 323 pounds, Tomlinson has built a long career as a starting interior offensive lineman across multiple franchises. He currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.
Early Life and Background
Laken Tomlinson was born in Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica, and later moved to Chicago, Illinois in March 2003. He grew up in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the north side of the city and attended Lane Technical College Prep High School, a school known for producing top athletes. At Lane Tech, he was a two-sport standout in football and track and field, becoming one of the most decorated linemen in the program.
As a senior, Tomlinson earned All-State honors from both the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and the Chicago Tribune, and he was named his team’s Most Valuable Player. He was also a two-time All-City selection and a four-time first-team All-Conference pick. He helped lead Lane Tech to the 2008 Chicago Public League football championship, a milestone that helped establish his reputation as a dominant high school lineman.
Tomlinson also lettered in track and field. At the 2009 Chicago Public League Championships, he won the discus and placed second in the shot put. At the 2009 Illinois Class 3A state meet, he posted personal bests of 43.01 meters in the discus and 14.58 meters in the shot put, showing the kind of full-body power that later translated to the football field.
Path to American Football
Tomlinson’s path to the NFL started with a commitment to Duke University, where he enrolled in 2010. He became a starter during his freshman season and went on to start 52 games across his college career, a remarkable vote of confidence from the Duke coaching staff. He was named an All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation as a senior, an honor that placed him among the top linemen in college football.
Off the field, Tomlinson was recognized for his academic and athletic balance, winning the Anthony J. McKevlin Award in 2015 as the ACC Men’s Athlete of the Year. Earlier, he had been a Second-team All-ACC selection in 2013 and a First-team All-ACC selection in 2014. His durability, technique, and intelligence made him one of the most polished guard prospects in his draft class.
Laken Tomlinson Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
The Detroit Lions selected Laken Tomlinson with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the first Duke player chosen in the first round since linebacker Mike Junkin in 1987, marking a major moment for both the player and his college program. Tomlinson joined a Lions team that was in the middle of an offensive rebuild and was expected to compete for a starting guard spot from day one.
During his two seasons in Detroit, Tomlinson worked to refine his pass protection and run blocking at the professional level. While the Lions’ offense showed flashes, the team missed the playoffs in both of his years there. After the 2016 season, the organization decided to move in a different direction, setting up a fresh start for the young lineman.
Detroit Lions Tenure (2015–2016)
Tomlinson’s Lions tenure is best remembered for his status as a high first-round pick out of Duke, even though the on-field results in Detroit were uneven. He lined up at guard and was charged with protecting franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, learning the speed and complexity of NFL defensive fronts. The experience prepared him for a longer stint on the West Coast.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2017–2021)
On August 31, 2017, the Lions traded Tomlinson to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2019 fifth-round draft pick. After missing the season opener, he started the next 15 games at left guard, immediately giving the 49ers a steady presence on the offensive line. The trade marked a turning point in his career, as he found a system that emphasized zone blocking, a style that suited his footwork and movement skills.
In 2018, the 49ers declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, briefly making his long-term future uncertain. However, on June 22, 2018, Tomlinson signed a three-year, $18 million extension with $10 million guaranteed, locking him in as a foundational piece of the line. He started nearly every game over the next several seasons and anchored an offensive line that supported the 49ers’ run to the NFC Championship game following the 2019 season.
Tomlinson’s most decorated year came in 2021, when he was named to the Pro Bowl as one of the top guards in the NFC. That recognition capped a five-year run in San Francisco that transformed him from a first-round project into a respected veteran leader in the trenches.
New York Jets Era (2022–2023)
On March 17, 2022, Tomlinson signed a three-year contract with the New York Jets, reuniting him with a franchise looking to solidify its offensive line. He started games at guard for the Jets and provided leadership in the locker room during a transitional period for the team. On February 26, 2024, the Jets released him, opening the door for his next chapter.
Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans (2024–2025)
On April 15, 2024, Tomlinson signed with the Seattle Seahawks, where he added veteran depth to the offensive line. After the season, he moved on to another opportunity. On March 18, 2025, he signed with the Houston Texans and was named the Week 1 starting left guard, starting seven of the ten games he appeared in before being released on December 2.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025–Present)
On December 9, 2025, Tomlinson signed with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, joining one of the AFC’s most competitive rosters. The move gave him a chance to contribute to a team with playoff aspirations and a strong run game identity. As of the latest reporting, he remains with the Ravens organization as the 2025 season progresses.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tomlinson is best known for his disciplined pass protection, strong hands, and ability to anchor against power rushers. His track and field background shows up in his explosiveness off the snap and his lateral quickness in zone-blocking schemes. He is widely regarded as a high-IQ lineman who communicates well with quarterbacks and fellow linemen, a quality that has helped him start 162 of the 173 games he has played in the NFL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Tomlinson’s career are his 2015 first-round selection by the Detroit Lions, his Pro Bowl selection in 2021, and his Consensus All-American honor in 2014 at Duke. He also won the Anthony J. McKevlin Award as the ACC Men’s Athlete of the Year in 2015, a rare recognition for an offensive lineman.
Laken Tomlinson Career Wins
Laken Tomlinson’s professional resume is defined more by durability and consistency than by championship trophies. He has started 162 of 173 regular-season games, an outstanding availability rate for an interior lineman. While team-level playoff success has been limited, his individual honors reflect a long, productive career at the highest level of the sport.
Pro Bowl and All-Conference Recognition
Tomlinson earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 with the San Francisco 49ers, the crowning achievement of his career to that point. He was also a First-team All-ACC selection in 2014 and a Second-team All-ACC pick in 2013 at Duke, and he was a Consensus All-American in 2014. These awards trace a steady climb from standout college lineman to one of the league’s most reliable guards.
Team Success and Playoff Appearances
With the 49ers, Tomlinson was part of offensive line groups that helped the team reach the NFC Championship Game following the 2019 season. While he has not won a Super Bowl, his role in supporting top-tier rushing attacks and protecting franchise quarterbacks has been central to his reputation. The lack of team championships reflects how football’s offensive line success is often measured in individual reliability rather than rings.
Laken Tomlinson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Tomlinson was born in Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica, and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he settled after moving in 2003. Public details about his parents and siblings are limited, and he tends to keep his personal life private. His Jamaican heritage and Chicago upbringing together shaped his path from a young immigrant to a first-round NFL draft pick.
Personal Life
Tomlinson resides in Chicago, Illinois, the city where he spent his formative years. He has not publicly shared details about a spouse or children. His social media presence centers on his football career and training, and he is known among teammates as a quiet, focused professional.
2025 Season Performance
Laken Tomlinson’s 2025 season has been one of the most eventful of his career. He began the year with the Houston Texans after signing on March 18, 2025, and was named the Week 1 starting left guard. He started seven of the ten games he played for the Texans before being released on December 2, 2025, part of the team’s midseason adjustments along the offensive line.
Shortly after his release, on December 9, 2025, Tomlinson joined the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, giving him a fresh opportunity down the stretch of the regular season. The Ravens, competing in the AFC, offered a chance to contribute to a playoff-caliber team with strong offensive line play and a top-tier rushing attack. The midseason move highlighted how veteran guards with proven track records remain in demand late in the year.
Looking ahead, Tomlinson is signed with the Baltimore Ravens through 2025 and remains an experienced depth option on the interior offensive line. With 173 career games and 162 starts on his resume, he continues to bring reliability and leadership to a team looking to make a deep postseason run.