Natrone Brooks Bio
Natrone Brooks is an American professional football cornerback and kickoff returner for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles after transferring from Copiah–Lincoln Community College. Brooks was born on December 11, 1999, in Starkville, Mississippi, where he attended Starkville High School. Throughout his early career, he showcased his defensive skills, making significant contributions at the college level before signing with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Standing 5 ft 11 in and weighing 175 lb, Brooks wears jersey number 35 and is listed on the Atlanta Falcons active roster. He has built a profile as a versatile defensive back with experience in coverage, run support, and special teams. His journey from a Mississippi high school standout to an NFL roster is a story of persistence and steady development.
Early Life and Background
Natrone Brooks grew up in Starkville, Mississippi, and attended Starkville High School. During his high school career, he played in 40 games and built a reputation as a reliable defensive back. He recorded 136 total tackles, including 88 solo tackles and 48 assisted stops, along with 13 tackles for loss, one sack, and six interceptions.
Rated as a three-star recruit, Brooks originally committed to play college football at the University of Memphis. He later changed course and committed to Copiah–Lincoln Community College instead, choosing a junior college route to further develop his game. His high school production in Starkville laid the foundation for his defensive instincts and ball skills at the next level.
Path to American Football
Brooks began his collegiate career at Copiah–Lincoln Community College, where he played during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. As a true freshman in 2018, he recorded 24 total tackles, two interceptions, and one tackle for loss. During the 2019 season, he appeared in nine games and finished with 35 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery.
After his sophomore season, Brooks announced his decision to transfer to Southern Miss to compete at the NCAA Division I level. He joined the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and became a regular contributor on defense. His time at Copiah–Lincoln prepared him for the speed and complexity of FBS football, and he carried that momentum into Conference USA play.
Natrone Brooks Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Brooks opened his college career at Copiah–Lincoln Community College, where he showed early signs of his ball-hawking ability with interceptions in his freshman season. His tackling numbers grew in his second year, demonstrating improved run support and discipline in space. Those improvements caught the attention of Southern Miss, where he continued to develop.
After transferring to Southern Miss, Brooks played in and started all 10 games during the 2020 season, becoming one of only two defensive players on the team to start every contest. He recorded 39 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and eight pass breakups, showing a steady presence in the secondary.
Southern Miss Breakthrough (2020–2022)
During the 2021 season at Southern Miss, Brooks played in 11 games and started three of them. He finished the year with 18 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and nine pass breakups, continuing to produce in coverage and on special teams units.
The 2022 season represented Brooks’s most complete year as a Golden Eagle. He started all 13 games and tallied 30 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. He also contributed on special teams with 18 punt returns for 222 yards, highlighting his versatility as a returner.
Across his Southern Miss career, Brooks established himself as a dependable cornerback and an emerging playmaker in the return game. His consistent production in coverage and on special teams helped position him for an opportunity at the professional level.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023–Present)
On May 15, 2023, Natrone Brooks signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent, earning his first NFL opportunity. He was waived on August 29 but was signed to the practice squad the next day, keeping him within the organization. On September 9, he was promoted to the active roster before returning to the practice squad two days later.
On January 6, 2024, Brooks returned to the active roster and signed a reserve/future contract two days later. He was waived again on August 27 and brought back to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on November 16 and continued contributing on defense and special teams. On March 9, 2026, he re-signed with the Falcons.
In his NFL career through the 2025 season, Brooks has recorded 15 total tackles and 3 pass deflections. His special teams role with the Falcons has complemented his work as a cornerback, giving Atlanta flexibility in coverage and return situations.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brooks is known for his coverage instincts, reliable tackling, and willingness to contribute on special teams. His experience as a punt returner at Southern Miss translates well to his NFL role as a kickoff returner, where field awareness and ball security are critical. Coaches have valued his motor and his ability to play multiple spots in the secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Brooks’s defining milestones was earning a starting role across an entire FBS season at Southern Miss in 2020, a rare feat for a junior college transfer. His signing as an undrafted free agent with the Falcons and his eventual promotion to the active roster marked another major step in his professional journey.
Natrone Brooks Career Wins
Natrone Brooks’s career highlights are rooted in his college production and his sustained presence on an NFL roster. While wins and losses are primarily team accomplishments, his individual contributions at Southern Miss and with the Atlanta Falcons have been consistent. The verified records support his growth as a cornerback and returner rather than headline win totals.
Southern Miss Highlights
At Southern Miss, Brooks started 23 games across the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons. He recorded 87 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 21 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery, along with 18 punt returns for 222 yards in his final collegiate season. His 2022 campaign stood out as his most productive and complete year as a Golden Eagle.
Other Wins & Performances
During his time at Copiah–Lincoln Community College, Brooks recorded 59 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 1 fumble recovery across two seasons. Those numbers helped him secure a transfer to Southern Miss and set the stage for his professional opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons.
Natrone Brooks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Natrone Brooks’s family background and upbringing beyond his hometown of Starkville, Mississippi, is not publicly documented in verified sources. His early football development is most closely tied to his Starkville roots and his high school coaching environment.
Personal Life
Natrone Brooks was born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, the same community where he attended Starkville High School. He is currently active on Instagram, where he shares updates under the handle nb2cold. Verified public details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not available.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 NFL season, Brooks continued his role with the Atlanta Falcons as a cornerback and kickoff returner. Through his career NFL statistics tracked as of 2025, he had recorded 15 total tackles and 3 pass deflections, reflecting steady contributions in limited defensive snaps and meaningful special teams work.
His position on the active roster demonstrated the Falcons’ continued trust in his development and versatility. As a depth cornerback and returner, Brooks provided Atlanta with flexibility on game day and on special teams units. His progress through multiple practice squad moves and back to the active roster highlighted his resilience.
Looking ahead, Brooks’s outlook with the Falcons remained positive following his re-signing on March 9, 2026. His experience in coverage and as a returner positions him to compete for an expanded role in the secondary. Continued growth in tackling and pass defense could further secure his place on the Atlanta roster.
