Brandon Spikes
Brandon Spikes (born September 3, 1987) is an American former professional football linebacker who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) after a standout college career at the University of Florida, where he contributed to two BCS national championships.[1][2] Currently serving as Assistant Director of Player Development for the Florida Gators football program, Spikes is recognized for his hard-hitting style and leadership on the field.[3] At the University of Florida from 2006 to 2009, Spikes appeared in 47 games with 39 starts, amassing 307 total tackles (178 solo), 31.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and a school-record four interception returns for touchdowns.[2] He earned consensus All-American honors in 2008 and 2009, led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in solo tackles in 2007 with 81, and topped both the NCAA and SEC in interception touchdowns in 2008 and 2009 with two each.[4] A three-time first-team All-SEC selection (2007–2009), Spikes was part of Florida's BCS national championship teams in 2006 and 2008.[5] Selected by the New England Patriots in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft, he played for the Patriots from 2010 to 2013 and in 2015, and the Buffalo Bills in 2014 and 2016, appearing in 78 games with 349 tackles (212 solo), two interceptions, two sacks, and seven forced fumbles.[1][2] In 2012, he led the NFL in forced fumbles with five.[6] In October 2025, Spikes was honored as an SEC Legend for his contributions to college football.[2]Early life
Family background
Brandon Spikes was born on September 3, 1987, in Shelby, North Carolina.[1] Following his parents' separation, Spikes was primarily raised by his older brother, Breyon Middlebrooks, who was seven years his senior and acted as a father figure.[7] Their mother, Sherry Allen, supported the family through 12-hour shifts at a local fiberglass plant, leaving Breyon to oversee much of Brandon's daily care and guidance during his formative years.[8] This dynamic instilled discipline and resilience in Spikes amid a challenging upbringing in a working-class environment.[9] Spikes is the younger cousin of former NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes, a family connection that exposed him to professional football from an early age and sparked his interest in the sport.[10] Takeo's achievements provided inspiration and a sense of athletic heritage within the extended family, motivating young Brandon to pursue similar paths.[11] Breyon introduced Spikes to organized sports, particularly football, which became a positive outlet amid family hardships, including Breyon's later incarceration for murder.[12] Prior to focusing on football, Spikes participated in other activities like basketball, helping build his athletic foundation before transitioning to more structured team sports.[13]High school career
Brandon Spikes attended Crest High School in Shelby, North Carolina, where he played football from 2003 to 2005 as a four-year starter at both linebacker and defensive end positions.[14] During his sophomore year, he transitioned fully to linebacker, shedding 30 pounds to adapt to the role while maintaining his aggressive playing style.[14] Spikes emerged as a dominant force on defense, recording impressive statistics that highlighted his tackling prowess and versatility. As a junior, he amassed 98 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 interceptions, and 5 forced fumbles, contributing significantly to his team's success.[14] In his senior year, he captained the team with 74 tackles, 4 sacks, and 4 interceptions, helping lead Crest to the North Carolina state semifinals.[14][13] His standout performances earned him national recognition, including selection to the U.S. Army All-American Game.[14] Recruiting services praised his potential, with Rivals.com ranking him as the No. 1 overall prospect in North Carolina and the No. 13 outside linebacker nationally in the class of 2006; Scout.com rated him as the No. 6 overall prospect in the country.[14] Spikes drew scholarship offers from several top programs and ultimately committed to the University of Florida in February 2006, choosing the Gators over Alabama, North Carolina State, and Virginia Tech.[14]College career
2006–2007 seasons
Spikes enrolled at the University of Florida in 2006 as part of a standout recruiting class and made his debut as a true freshman that season, serving primarily as a backup linebacker behind starter Brandon Siler.[4][15] He appeared in nine games, recording 15 total tackles (9 solo) and 1 tackle for loss, while adjusting to the increased speed and physicality of college football compared to his high school dominance at Crest High School, where he averaged over 15 tackles per game.[4][16] Despite his limited role, Spikes learned from veteran teammates like Siler and Earl Everett, contributing to team depth during Florida's undefeated regular season.[16] As a member of the Gators' defense, Spikes helped secure the program's second BCS National Championship in five years with a 41–14 victory over Ohio State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, though his playing time in the title game was minimal.[2] The freshman experience humbled Spikes, who faced integration challenges on a roster filled with established players and under the demanding coaching style of Urban Meyer, requiring him to refine his fundamentals and maturity early on.[16] Meyer emphasized leadership growth, later pulling Spikes aside after the 2006 season for a pointed discussion on maturing quickly to earn a larger role.[16] Entering 2007 as a sophomore, Spikes transitioned to the starting middle linebacker position, anchoring the defense for all 13 games and emerging as a key leader in Meyer's scheme.[17] He recorded 131 total tackles (81 solo), leading the team in stops 10 times, along with 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble, showcasing his growth in reading plays and pursuing ball carriers at college speed.[4][17] This performance helped Florida's defense rank among the nation's top units, allowing Spikes to solidify his integration while overcoming initial hurdles in academics and team dynamics through disciplined preparation.[16]2008–2009 seasons
In his junior year of 2008, Spikes emerged as a cornerstone of the Florida Gators' defense, recording 93 total tackles and four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.[4] He played a key role in the team's undefeated regular season and postseason success, including seven tackles in the SEC Championship Game victory over Alabama.[18] In the BCS National Championship Game against Oklahoma, Spikes contributed six tackles during Florida's 24–14 win, helping secure the program's second national title in three years.[19] Following the championship, Spikes initially considered declaring for the 2009 NFL Draft but opted to return for his senior season to further develop and improve his draft stock.[20] As a defensive captain in 2009, he led the Gators' unit with 68 total tackles and two interceptions while starting all 12 games.[4] However, his season was marred by disciplinary issues, including a suspension for the first half of the Vanderbilt game after he was caught on video attempting to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey during a 41–17 win over the Bulldogs.[21] Despite the incident drawing widespread criticism, the SEC accepted Florida's punishment without additional sanctions.[22] Spikes' on-field leadership and production solidified his status as one of the top linebackers in college football, earning him consensus All-American honors in 2008 and All-American honors in 2009.[4] Entering the 2010 NFL Draft, he was widely projected as a first-round selection due to his size, instincts, and impact against the run, but character concerns stemming from the eye-gouging incident and other on-field antics caused him to slide to the second round.[23][24]Awards and accolades
During his time at the University of Florida, Brandon Spikes earned numerous accolades that highlighted his dominance as a linebacker and contributed significantly to his reputation as a top defensive talent in college football. In 2008, he was named a consensus first-team All-American, receiving honors from multiple selectors including the Associated Press, Walter Camp, and others, recognizing his pivotal role in leading the Gators' defense to a BCS National Championship. He was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2008.[17][25] The following year, in 2009, Spikes garnered second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press, further affirming his consistency despite disciplinary challenges. He was one of three finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award and a finalist for the Butkus Award in 2009.[26][27] Spikes also excelled in Southeastern Conference (SEC) recognition, earning first-team All-SEC honors in both 2008 and 2009 from the league's coaches, as well as additional selections from outlets like Phil Steele in 2009.[17] These awards underscored his leadership on a defense that ranked among the nation's best, with Spikes anchoring the unit through key performances, such as his interception returns for touchdowns in critical games. In 2008, he was additionally named the Gators' Defensive MVP by the Touchdown Club of Gainesville, reflecting his 93 tackles and overall impact during the national title run.[28][29] As a member of Florida's BCS National Championship teams in 2006 and 2008, Spikes contributed to back-to-back title game appearances, experiences that bolstered his draft stock.[17] These honors collectively solidified Spikes' legacy as one of the Gators' premier linebackers, elevating his profile for the NFL despite off-field controversies, such as his 2009 suspension, by demonstrating resilience and elite playmaking ability.[4]Professional career
2010–2013: New England Patriots (first stint)
Spikes was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida.[1] He signed a four-year rookie contract on July 26, 2010, valued at approximately $3.2 million, including a signing bonus of $960,000.[30] Under head coach Bill Belichick, Spikes transitioned to inside linebacker in the team's base 4-3 defense, where his physicality and instincts against the run were seen as assets to complement veterans like Jerod Mayo.[31] In his rookie 2010 season, Spikes earned an immediate starting role, appearing in 12 games with eight starts and recording 61 combined tackles (38 solo), one interception, and three passes defended.[1] His contributions helped solidify the Patriots' front seven during a 14-2 regular season, though he missed the final four games after a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.[32] Spikes returned for the playoffs, logging six tackles in the divisional round win over the New York Jets. The 2011 season proved challenging for Spikes, limited to eight games (six starts) due to a knee injury, where he tallied 47 combined tackles (32 solo) and one pass defended.[1] Despite the absences, he contributed significantly in the postseason, including an interception in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens and 11 tackles in Super Bowl XLVI, a 21-17 loss to the New York Giants. His performance in Indianapolis underscored his role as a hard-hitting presence, though the Patriots' defense struggled to contain the Giants' late-game drive. Spikes reached his peak in 2012, starting 14 of 15 games and leading the team with 92 combined tackles (57 solo), one sack, seven passes defended, and a career-high five forced fumbles.[1] Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the top inside linebackers in pass-rush situations that year, highlighting his disruptive impact against the run.[33] However, his aggressive style drew scrutiny, including a $25,000 fine for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.[34] In 2013, Spikes started 11 of 16 games, registering 86 combined tackles (48 solo), one interception, and two passes defended while anchoring the middle of the defense during a 12-4 season.[1] He faced additional fines unrelated to on-field hits, including $7,875 for a uniform violation involving red cleats. Over his first stint with the Patriots, Spikes developed into a reliable run defender under Belichick's scheme, amassing 286 combined tackles in 51 regular-season games while helping the team reach two AFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl.[1]2014: Buffalo Bills (first stint)
In March 2014, following his departure from the New England Patriots, Spikes signed a one-year contract worth $3.25 million with the Buffalo Bills.[35][36] During the 2014 season, Spikes appeared in all 16 games for the Bills, starting 10, and recorded 54 total tackles (33 solo, 21 assisted), 1 sack, 3 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble.[1][37] His performance contributed to a Bills defense that ranked fourth in the NFL in points allowed (18.1 per game), with Spikes earning a +7.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, including strong run defense metrics that placed him 12th among inside linebackers.[38][39] Spikes provided veteran leadership at middle linebacker, helping stabilize the unit alongside emerging talent like Preston Brown.[40] Spikes played under head coach Doug Marrone and new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, whose scheme shifted the Bills from a 3-4 base to a 4-3 alignment, emphasizing aggressive run defense and featuring Spikes in a rotational role with approximately 500 snaps.[41][42] Marrone praised Spikes for his on-field contributions and locker room presence, noting his role in fostering team chemistry during a 9-7 campaign.[43] The Bills did not re-sign Spikes as a free agent following the season, opting instead to build around younger linebackers like Brown, who had emerged as a starter.[44] Spikes later reflected positively on his time in Buffalo, stating it was the happiest period of his NFL career.[45]2015: New England Patriots (second stint)
After being released by the Buffalo Bills following the 2014 season, Brandon Spikes signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots on May 18, 2015, marking his return to the team where he had spent his first four NFL seasons.[46][47] The move reunited him with familiar faces, including defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, and was intended to bolster linebacker depth ahead of training camp.[48] Spikes' second stint proved short-lived, as the Patriots released him on June 8, 2015, one day after Massachusetts State Police discovered his damaged Mercedes-Benz abandoned on Interstate 495 in Foxborough, prompting an investigation into a possible hit-and-run incident.[49][47] He did not participate in any regular-season or playoff games during the 2015 campaign and was not part of the Patriots' roster for Super Bowl 50.[1] Spikes later pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a personal injury crash in July 2015, receiving a one-year probation sentence.[50]2016: Buffalo Bills (second stint) and retirement
Following his release from the New England Patriots in June 2015 and a year away from the NFL, Spikes signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on August 7, 2016, reuniting with the team for a second stint to provide depth at linebacker amid injuries to other players.[51] In the 2016 season, Spikes appeared in 11 games for the Bills without starting, logging a limited rotational role on defense and recording 9 total tackles (4 solo, 5 assisted).[1] His snap count was minimal, reflecting a diminished presence compared to his earlier career peaks, as the Bills' linebacker group stabilized with younger talent. Spikes did not play in the NFL after the 2016 campaign and effectively retired at age 29 in 2017, citing the cumulative physical toll of the league and a lack of further opportunities as key factors in his decision to step away without a formal announcement or ceremony.[52] In subsequent reflections, he has discussed the NFL's demanding nature on players' bodies and minds, partnering with his agent to advise current athletes on recognizing when to transition out of football for health and long-term well-being.[52]Career statistics
Brandon Spikes played as a middle linebacker in the NFL from 2010 to 2016, accumulating defensive statistics primarily in tackles, sacks, interceptions, and fumbles across his tenure with the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills.[1]Regular Season Defensive Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Combined Tackles | Solo | Assisted | Sacks | Interceptions | Passes Defended | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries | Tackles for Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | NWE | 12 | 8 | 61 | 38 | 23 | 0.0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | NWE | 8 | 6 | 47 | 32 | 15 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2012 | NWE | 15 | 14 | 92 | 57 | 35 | 1.0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2013 | NWE | 16 | 11 | 86 | 48 | 38 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 2014 | BUF | 16 | 10 | 54 | 33 | 21 | 1.0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 2016 | BUF | 11 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career Totals | 78 | 49 | 349 | 212 | 137 | 2.0 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 20 |