Jake Brendel

Jake Brendel's Biography

Jacob William Brendel was born on September 10, 1992, in the city of Plano, Texas, the original home of the valiant athlete who would rise to become an esteemed football center for the prestigious San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). This biography briefly traces his journey from his roots, propelled along his path by his inherent talents and relentless commitment that have crafted his illustrious career.

With a passion and knack for football kindled early, Brendel’s athletic journey began at Plano East Senior High School. Here, he primarily played as a defensive tackle during the initial two years, gaining considerable experience. However, his caliber prompted his coaches to shift him to the offensive line in his junior year. Leadership seemed to be his second nature as he served as a team captain, garnering recognition as a two-time first team All-district for the offensive line. His undeniable prowess earned him a three-star recruit status by Rivals.com and successfully secured his 15th spot among the top center prospects of his class.

Brendel’s football journey, enriched with experiences and accolades during his schooling years, led him to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he redshirted his initial year. However, he swiftly turned into an indispensable asset for his team, starting all 14 games for the Bruins in 2012 after the spring practice. His impressive performances were recognized and applauded, earning him coveted awards such as first-team Freshman All-America from The Sporting News, CBSSports.com, Football Writers Association Of America, and second-team Freshman All-America from College Football News.

2014 marked Brendel’s junior year that witnessed him as the most experienced offensive lineman in the team. Though an initial knee injury briefly side-tracked him from the season opener against Virginia, he bounced back and started the rest of the season. His dedication and prowess once again led to his being named to the All-Pac-12 Conference second team. Despite requesting an evaluation of his NFL draft stock, he chose to return for his senior year, thus capturing second-team All-Pac-12 honors again. As a three-time team captain, Brendel set a record of 52 starts and completed his UCLA career with impressive athletic and academic achievements like graduating with a degree in Business Economics and being named to the first-team All-Pac-12 Academic team.

Brendel’s life took a professional turn when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2016 NFL draft on May 6. Despite facing setbacks, such as being released by the Cowboys and suffering injuries, that led to his release from the Cowboys’ practice squad, Brendel’s determination remained unwavering. His talent was soon recognized and he was signed to the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad. He was later promoted to the active roster, playing as a backup center in 16 games in the year 2017.

Unfortunately, his stint with the Dolphins was marked by intermittent injuries that led to his being placed on an injured reserve. However, Brendel displayed his resilience by consistently recuperating and returning to the field. After leaving the Dolphins, he briefly played for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens until he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on February 7, 2020. Although he chose to opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned the following year, only to face a brief hurdle when he was waived during the final roster cuts.

2022 marked a turning point in Brendel’s career when he was re-signed by the 49ers and placed as the team’s starting center for the year. His stellar performance in the 17 games led to a four-year contract extension with the 49ers in 2023. Establishing himself as an essential player, Brendel also started in Super Bowl LVIII. Despite a hard-fought match in which the 49ers succumbed to the Chiefs 25-22, Brendel’s journey reflects a masterful melding of talent, resilience, and unyielding determination that sets a high bar in the NFL.