A 6-foot-5 hybrid defender who went from Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year to a fourth-round pick after a grad-transfer season at Oklahoma.
Kendal Daniels brings an unusual frame for a linebacker, all 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds of it, built on a college path that started at safety for Oklahoma State and ended with a one-year stop at Oklahoma. The Falcons took him in the fourth round of the 2026 draft to add versatility to a defense being rebuilt under new leadership.
Path to the league
A four-star recruit out of Beggs High School in Oklahoma, Daniels spent four seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring to Oklahoma for his final college year. Atlanta selected him with the 134th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Daniels broke out as a true freshman safety at Oklahoma State in 2022, recording 71 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions en route to Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. He was also named second-team All-Big 12 that season before transitioning more toward linebacker in later seasons.
2025 season recap
Daniels used his final college season at Oklahoma to showcase the hybrid safety-to-linebacker skill set that made him a draft target, continuing to log tackles for loss and pass-rush production as he moved closer to the line of scrimmage. He heads into his rookie year projected as a special-teams contributor with a path to a sub-package role.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Kendal Daniels
- Atlanta Falcons: Falcons trade back, select LB Kendal Daniels with pick No. 134 in 2026 NFL Draft
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Oklahoma
- Hometown
- Beggs, OK, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
