Branson Combs

Branson Combs (born July 14, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Evansville, Indiana, Combs attended Reitz Memorial High School before playing college football at Southern Illinois and Wake Forest. He signed with Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft.

Early life and high school

Combs was born on July 14, 2000, and grew up in Evansville. He attended Reitz Memorial High School, where he became one of the area’s most accomplished multi-sport athletes.

Combs played football, basketball and baseball for Memorial. Although he eventually reached the NFL as a linebacker, he was primarily known as a wide receiver during his high school football career.

He finished his Memorial career with 3,732 receiving yards, ranking fourth in Indiana high school history at the time. He scored 58 career touchdowns, including 45 receiving touchdowns.

As a junior in 2017, Combs helped Memorial capture the IHSAA Class 3A state championship.

During his senior season in 2018, Combs caught 75 passes for 1,517 yards and scored 32 total touchdowns. He helped lead Memorial to a 14–1 record and another appearance in the Class 3A state championship game.

In that championship game, Combs caught eight passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns.

He was named the 2018 Courier & Press All-Metro Co-Player of the Year and was selected to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State team as both a junior and senior. He also earned First-Team All-SIAC honors in 2017 and 2018.

Southern Illinois

Combs signed with Southern Illinois University and began his college career as a wide receiver for the Salukis.

He redshirted during the 2019 season, appearing in four games.

During the 2020 season, Combs caught 12 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

His career changed significantly in 2021, when Southern Illinois moved him from wide receiver to linebacker.

Despite having spent much of his football career on offense, Combs quickly developed at the new position. In his first season as a linebacker, he recorded 29 tackles and two interceptions.

Combs became a full-time starter in 2022, starting all 11 games and finishing with 57 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions. He was named Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference.

He followed that performance with another strong season in 2023. Combs recorded more than 80 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions and again received Second-Team All-MVFC honors.

During his Southern Illinois career, Combs developed from an Evansville high school receiver into an NFL-caliber defensive player.

Wake Forest

Following the 2023 season, Combs transferred to Wake Forest University for his final season of college eligibility.

He became an immediate contributor for the Demon Deacons.

During the 2024 season, Combs appeared in 11 games and made 10 starts at linebacker. He finished second on the team with 96 tackles and recorded six tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Combs recorded at least 10 tackles in four games, including season-high performances of 14 tackles against Virginia and North Carolina.

One of his most significant plays came against NC State, when he recorded a game-sealing interception to complete Wake Forest’s 10-point comeback victory.

At the conclusion of the season, Combs was named Second-Team All-ACC.

He was also invited to participate in the 2025 Hula Bowl following his final college season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Combs was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, but signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent shortly afterward.

He competed for a roster position during Jacksonville’s 2025 training camp and preseason and began his rookie season on the Jaguars’ practice squad.

Combs eventually began receiving opportunities on the active roster and appeared in 10 regular-season games during the 2025 season.

He contributed primarily on special teams, recording seven special-teams tackles while also seeing limited defensive action. He recorded his first NFL defensive tackle against the Tennessee Titans on January 4, 2026.

Combs also forced a fumble against the Arizona Cardinals on November 23.

Jacksonville qualified for the postseason, and Combs appeared in the Jaguars’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, recording a special-teams tackle.

He finished his rookie regular season with nine combined tackles and one forced fumble.

Combs remained with the Jaguars following his rookie season and is listed as a linebacker wearing No. 50 on Jacksonville’s roster.

His progression to the NFL was particularly unusual because he had spent his high school career at Memorial and the beginning of his college career primarily as an offensive player before converting to linebacker at Southern Illinois.

Personal life

Combs is the son of Ronnie and Annette Combs.

In addition to football, he played baseball and basketball while attending Reitz Memorial. He majored in marketing while at Southern Illinois.