American football player (born 1995)
Breeland Speaks Profile Position Defensive end Personal information Born (1995-12-18 ) December 18, 1995 (age 30) Jackson, Mississippi , U.S.Listed height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Listed weight 285 lb (129 kg) Career information High school Callaway (Jackson, Mississippi) College Ole Miss NFL draft 2018 : 2nd round, 46th overall pickCareer history * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights Career NFL statistics
Breeland Clyde Speaks (born December 18, 1995) is an American professionalfootball defensive end . He was drafted by theKansas City Chiefs in the second round of the2018 NFL draft . He playedcollege football atOle Miss .
Speaks attendedCallaway High School inJackson, Mississippi . During his senior season in 2013, Speaks had 118tackles , 26.5 tackles for loss, ninesacks , 18 quarterback hurries, four forcedfumbles , three blocked kicks, five pass breakups and aninterception returned for atouchdown .[ 1] A consensus 4-star recruit, Speaks committed to playcollege football for theOle Miss Rebels in October 2013, choosing them over Mississippi State, Arkansas and Florida State among others.[ 2] His parents are Clyde Speaks and Brenda Speaks.
Speaksredshirted in the 2014 season.[ 3] As a redshirt freshman in 2015, Speaks played in every game of the season, starting two. He totaled 32 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.[ 4]
In 2016, as a redshirt sophomore, Speaks had 28 tackles (11 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.[ 5]
As a redshirt junior in 2017, Speaks totaled 67 tackles, eight tackles for loss and seven sacks. He was named to theAssociated Press All-Southeastern Conference Second-team.[ 6] After the season, he declared for the2018 NFL draft .[ 7]
Professional career [ edit ] Speaks was selected by theKansas City Chiefs in the second round (46th overall) of the2018 NFL draft .[ 10] He played in all 16 games as a rookie with four starts, recording 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks.[ 11]
On August 31, 2019, Speaks was placed oninjured reserve .[ 12] On December 6, while on injured reserve, he was suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.[ 13] Speaks was reinstated from suspension on December 30, and placed back on the injured reserve list. Without Speaks, the Chiefs wonSuper Bowl LIV against theSan Francisco 49ers .[ 14]
Speaks was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020.[ 15]
On October 2, 2020, Speaks was signed to thepractice squad of theLas Vegas Raiders .[ 16] He was released by the Raiders on November 3.[ 17]
On November 17, 2020, Speaks was signed to theDallas Cowboys ' practice squad.[ 18] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.[ 19]
On January 21, 2021, Speaks signed a reserve/futures contract with theNew York Giants .[ 20] He was waived by the Giants on May 13.[ 21]
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)[ edit ] On September 1, 2021, Speaks was signed to the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad.[ 22] He was released by the Cowboys on December 6.[ 23]
On December 22, 2021, Speaks was signed to theBuffalo Bills ' practice squad, but was released five days later.[ 24] [ 25]
Michigan Panthers (first stint)[ edit ] On December 22, 2022, Speaks signed with theMichigan Panthers of theUnited States Football League (USFL).[ 26] In his Panthers debut, Speaks produced three sacks, seven combined tackles, and one forced fumble.[ 27] He was released from his contract on August 10, 2023, to sign with an NFL team.[ 28]
San Francisco 49ers [ edit ] Speaks signed with theSan Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract on August 11, 2023.[ 29] He was waived by San Francisco on August 27.[ 30]
Michigan Panthers (second stint)[ edit ] On December 19, 2023, Speaks re-signed with the Panthers.[ 31] He was named the UFL Defensive Player of the Year on June 7, 2024.[ 32] Speaks' contract was terminated on August 8.[ 33]
Jacksonville Jaguars [ edit ] On August 8, 2024, Speaks signed with theJacksonville Jaguars .[ 34] He was waived by Jacksonville on August 25.[ 35]
Michigan Panthers (third stint)[ edit ] On February 2, 2025, Speaks re-signed with the Michigan Panthers.[ 36] On April 7, Speaks was placed on injured reserve.[ 37] He was activated on May 19.[ 38]
^ "Breeland Speaks - Football" .Ole Miss Athletics .Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. RetrievedJune 6, 2023 .^ "Breeland Speaks Commits to Ole Miss" .Red Cup Rebellion . October 21, 2013.Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. RetrievedJune 6, 2023 .^ Berry, Zach (December 26, 2017)."Breeland Speaks will skip his final year, enter the 2018 NFL Draft" .Red Cup Rebellion .Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 . ^ "Breeland Speaks 2015 Game Log" .Sports Reference .Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. RetrievedJune 6, 2023 .^ "Breeland Speaks 2016 Game Log" .Sports Reference .Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. RetrievedJune 6, 2023 .^ Potter, Davis (December 4, 2017)."A.J. Brown leads four Ole Miss players on AP All-SEC team" .The Oxford Eagle .Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. RetrievedDecember 30, 2017 . ^ Barnett, Zach (December 26, 2017)."Ole Miss DL Breeland Speaks declares for NFL Draft" .NBC Sports College Football .Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. RetrievedJune 6, 2023 . ^ "Breeland Speaks Draft and Combine Prospect Profile" .NFL.com . RetrievedMarch 1, 2018 .^ "Breeland Speaks, DS #16 DE, Mississippi" .DraftScout.com . RetrievedMay 12, 2018 .^ Swanson, Kent (April 27, 2018)."Chiefs trade up, select Breeland Speaks at pick 46" .ArrowheadPride.com .Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. RetrievedJune 17, 2018 . ^ "Breeland Speaks 2018 Game Log" .Pro Football Reference .Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 .^ "Chiefs Roster Down to NFL-Mandated 53" .Chiefs.com . August 31, 2019.Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. RetrievedJune 6, 2023 .^ Teope, Herbie (December 6, 2019)."Chiefs' Breelands Speaks suspended 4 games for violating NFL's substance-abuse policy" .Kansas City Star .Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. RetrievedJune 6, 2023 . ^ "Super Bowl LIV - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 2nd, 2020" .Pro Football Reference .Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 .^ "Chiefs Roster Down to NFL-Mandated 53" .Chiefs.com . September 5, 2020.Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 .^ "Raiders place CB Damon Arnette and DT Daniel Ross on IR" .Raiders.com . October 2, 2020.Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. RetrievedJune 6, 2023 .^ @Raiders (November 3, 2020)."We have signed DE Gerri Green to the practice squad. In a corresponding move, we have released DE Breeland Speaks from the practice squad" (Tweet ). RetrievedDecember 2, 2020 – viaTwitter . ^ Fisher, Mike (November 17, 2020)."Cowboys Sign Ex Chiefs Second-Round D-Lineman" .SI.com .Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 . ^ "Two players set free" .EliteFantasy.com . January 11, 2021.Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. RetrievedFebruary 16, 2021 .^ Salomone, Dan (January 21, 2021)."Giants sign former 2nd-round pick Breeland Speaks to reserve/future contract" .Giants.com .Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 . ^ Simmons, Myles (May 13, 2021)."Giants waive Breeland Speaks" .NBCSports.com .Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. RetrievedMay 19, 2021 . ^ Bouda, Nate (September 1, 2021)."Cowboys Sign DE Breeland Speaks To Practice Squad" .NFLTradeRumors.co .Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 . ^ Kelberman, Zack (December 7, 2021)."Cowboys Cut Veteran Defender Before Washington Game" .Heavy.com .Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 . ^ "Bills sign defensive end Breeland Speaks to practice squad" .Buffalo News . December 22, 2021.Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 .^ Taylor, Nate (May 26, 2023)."After hiatus, once-promising former Chiefs DE Breeland Speaks has found success in the USFL" .The Athletic .Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. RetrievedJuly 10, 2023 . ^ @USFLPanthers (December 22, 2022)."Free Agent Signing" (Tweet ). RetrievedDecember 22, 2022 – viaTwitter . ^ "JOSH LOVE'S SIZZLING OUTING HELPS PANTHERS OVERCOME MISCUES IN OPENING WIN" .theusfl.com . April 16, 2023.Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. RetrievedApril 16, 2023 .^ @USFLPanthers (August 10, 2023)."Contract Terminated / Signing with NFL Team" (Tweet ). RetrievedAugust 11, 2023 – viaTwitter . ^ "49ers Sign DL Speaks; Place CB Averett on Injured Reserve" .49ers.com . August 11, 2023. RetrievedAugust 11, 2023 .^ "49ers Waive Five Players Ahead of NFL Roster Reductions" .49ers.com . August 27, 2023. RetrievedMay 14, 2024 .^ @USFLPanthers (December 19, 2023)."Free Agent Signings" (Tweet ). RetrievedDecember 20, 2023 – viaTwitter . ^ "2024 UFL Awards: Panthers' Breeland Speaks is Defensive Player of the Year" .www.theufl.com . June 7, 2024. RetrievedJune 7, 2024 .^ @UFL_PR (August 8, 2024)."The #UFL has announced the following transactions:" (Tweet ). RetrievedAugust 12, 2024 – viaTwitter . ^ "ROSTER MOVES: Jaguars Sign DE Breeland Speaks" .Jaguars.com . August 8, 2024. RetrievedAugust 9, 2024 .^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Waive 6 Players, Release 4" .Jaguars.com . August 25, 2024. RetrievedOctober 18, 2024 .^ @JamesLarsenPFN (February 2, 2025)."BREAKING: The Michigan Panthers have re-signed DE Breeland Speaks, per sources" (Tweet ). RetrievedFebruary 3, 2025 – viaTwitter . ^ Larsen, James."Michigan Panthers Sign Grant Miller, Lose Breeland Speaks" .Pro Football Newsroom . PFN. RetrievedApril 8, 2025 . ^ Larsen, James (May 20, 2025)."Michigan Returns Breeland Speaks, Sign Nehemiah Martinez" .PFNewsroom.com . RetrievedMay 23, 2025 .