Thomas Booker Bio
Earl Thomas Booker IV, known professionally as Thomas Booker, is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal before being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Booker has also been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won a Super Bowl championship.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 301 pounds, Booker has built his reputation as a rotational defensive lineman with a strong motor and the versatility to contribute against both the run and the pass. Over the course of his professional career, he has appeared in regular-season games for each of his teams and has accumulated 77 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and seven pass deflections.
Early Life and Background
Earl Thomas Booker IV was born on November 11, 1999, in Ellicott City, Maryland. He grew up in the same Maryland community that would help shape his early interest in football, and he attended the Gilman School in Baltimore, a private school well known for producing competitive athletic programs. His upbringing in the Baltimore area placed him within reach of strong high-school football traditions and gave him an early platform to develop his skills as a defensive lineman.
Booker came out of Gilman School as a four-star recruit, a ranking that reflected both his physical tools and his on-field production during his high-school years. The combination of size, athleticism, and technique he showed in prep football made him one of the more sought-after defensive line prospects in his recruiting class. His development at Gilman laid the foundation for the next step in his career at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Following his standout career at Gilman School, Booker committed to Stanford University, where he joined the Stanford Cardinal football program. He quickly worked his way into the rotation and eventually became a three-year starter along the defensive line. During his time in college, he appeared in 43 games and produced consistently strong numbers, finishing his career with 159 tackles, 10 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception.
Booker earned recognition for his play by being named to All-Pac-12 teams in each of his last three seasons, including second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2020 and 2021. He was also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, an award that recognizes student-athletes who combine academic success, community impact, and on-field performance. In the run-up to the 2022 NFL Draft, he was viewed as a high-level developmental prospect expected to play as a rotational defensive lineman at the professional level.
Thomas Booker Career
Early Career (2022)
Thomas Booker entered the NFL when he was selected in the fifth round, 150th overall, by the Houston Texans in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Texans saw him as a developmental defensive tackle who could contribute on early-down snaps while adjusting to the speed and complexity of professional offenses. As a rookie, Booker began laying the groundwork for his career by absorbing the playbook, refining his technique, and earning trust within the Houston defensive line room.
Despite the promise he showed in his first season, Booker’s time in Houston was brief. On August 29, 2023, he was waived by the Texans as the team reshaped its roster ahead of the regular season. The move freed him up to quickly find a new opportunity elsewhere, and just two days later he was on to the next chapter of his career.
Philadelphia Eagles Breakthrough (2023–2024)
On August 31, 2023, Thomas Booker signed with the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles, giving him a fresh start within a contending organization. He signed a reserve/future contract with the team on January 18, 2024, which secured his place on the offseason roster. Over the 2024 season, Booker appeared in all 17 regular-season games and finished the year with 18 combined tackles and one sack, demonstrating that he could be a reliable rotational piece along the Eagles’ defensive front.
The biggest moment of his career came when the Eagles faced the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Booker was part of the Philadelphia defense that helped limit Kansas City and powered the Eagles to a 40–22 victory, earning him a Super Bowl championship ring. The performance capped a steady climb that began with a practice-squad signing and ended with the highest team-level achievement in the sport.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2025–Present)
On August 5, 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders acquired Booker from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for cornerback Jakorian Bennett, signaling the organization’s plan to add experienced depth to its defensive line. The trade gave Booker an opportunity to take on a larger role within a young Raiders defense looking to establish a new identity. He joined the Raiders wearing jersey number 99 and quickly became part of the team’s defensive rotation.
Booker further cemented his place in Las Vegas when, on March 18, 2026, he re-signed with the Raiders on a one-year contract valued at $3.67 million. The new deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his continued growth and its desire to keep experienced voices along the defensive front. Heading into the 2025 season and beyond, Booker remains an active member of the Raiders roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Booker’s game is built around his combination of size, leverage, and effort. At 6 feet 3 inches and 301 pounds, he has the frame to anchor against the run while still showing the quickness needed to pressure the pocket. He reads blocks well, uses his hands effectively to disengage, and has shown the kind of motor and technique that allows him to contribute both as a run defender and as a pass rusher. His versatility and willingness to do the unglamorous work along the line have made him a trusted rotational piece for every coaching staff he has been a part of.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most significant moments of Booker’s career is his role on the Philadelphia Eagles team that won Super Bowl LIX, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22. He has also earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in both 2020 and 2021, recognition that highlighted his consistency as a three-year starter at Stanford. Being named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy added to his reputation as a well-rounded player who excelled both on the field and in the classroom.
Thomas Booker Career Wins
Thomas Booker’s career is highlighted by team success at the highest level, including a Super Bowl LIX championship with the Philadelphia Eagles. While he has not yet accumulated a long list of individual award hardware beyond his All-Pac-12 honors, his steady presence along the defensive line has helped his teams compete deep into postseasons. As he continues to develop with the Las Vegas Raiders, more individual milestones may follow.
Super Bowl Highlights
Booker’s most memorable achievement to date is winning Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles, a 40–22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. As part of the Eagles’ defensive rotation that season, he contributed 18 combined tackles and one sack across 17 regular-season games before helping the team finish the year on top. The championship cemented his place among active NFL players who have reached the league’s ultimate team goal.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his Super Bowl success, Booker earned second-team All-Pac-12 recognition in both 2020 and 2021 during his time at Stanford, an indication of his consistent production across multiple seasons. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 77 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and seven pass deflections in his NFL career, statistics that reflect his steady contributions as a rotational defensive lineman.
Thomas Booker Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Thomas Booker’s immediate family and upbringing is limited, with verified details centered on his growth in Ellicott City, Maryland, and his time at the Gilman School in Baltimore. His recruitment profile and Stanford bio do not include widely documented details about his parents or extended family, so further specifics are not included here.
Personal Life
Off the field, Booker has remained active in community and civic efforts. While with the Philadelphia Eagles, he and former teammate Cooper DeJean worked with the Philadelphia youth non-profit Leveling the Playing Field, an organization that redistributes sports equipment to under-resourced programs around the city. He has also been active in politics, having campaigned for Kamala Harris during the 2024 United States presidential election and having spoken at the White House about the issue of gun violence.
2025 Season Performance
Thomas Booker entered the 2025 NFL season as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders after being acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade for cornerback Jakorian Bennett. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to expand his role within a young Raiders defense looking to build an identity along the defensive line. Wearing number 99, he was expected to contribute as a rotational defensive tackle capable of playing both the run and the pass.
Booker’s experience from a Super Bowl-winning Eagles roster, combined with three years of starting pedigree at Stanford, made him one of the more seasoned voices in the Raiders’ defensive front. His prior production, including 18 combined tackles and a sack across 17 games in his final Philadelphia season, suggested he could be a reliable contributor on early downs. As the 2025 season progressed, he remained an active member of the Raiders’ defensive rotation.
Looking ahead, Booker’s one-year, $3.67 million re-signing with Las Vegas in March 2026 reflected the organization’s belief in his continued value and offered him a clear runway to build on his 2025 performance. With his combination of size, technique, and championship experience, he positioned himself as a piece the Raiders could lean on as they continued to shape their defense.
