BS #41

Brenden Schooler

Safety · Texas

Undrafted special teams captain who became a First-team All-Pro after transferring from Oregon to Texas.

Brenden Schooler went from an undrafted free agent signing in 2022 to one of the most respected special teamers in New England, earning First-team All-Pro honors in 2024 and becoming the first core special-teamer named a Patriots captain since Matthew Slater retired.

★ First-team All-Pro, 2024

★ Pro Bowl selection, 2024

★ First core special-teamer named Patriots captain since Matthew Slater

★ Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022

Path to the league

Schooler began his college career at Oregon before transferring to Texas. He received no Senior Bowl or combine invite, but signed with New England as a rookie free agent on May 9, 2022, and used the doubters as motivation to secure a permanent roster spot through special teams excellence.

Career highlights

Schooler was named First-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl in 2024, recognition for his work as one of the league's top gunners and special teams tacklers. He has become one of the most consistent players on New England's roster since arriving as an undrafted rookie, and the Patriots signed him to a contract extension to keep him in that role.

2025 season recap

Schooler played 318 special teams snaps (77 percent) in 2025, finishing with 19 tackles across 16 games while continuing to cover punts, kickoffs, field goals and extra points. He was also named a team captain for the first time in his career.