Super Bowl-winning defensive end Breeland Speaks is returning to his hometown as a member of T.C. Taylor’s staff at Jackson State.
The university’s athletics department announced Tuesday afternoon that Speaks will be a defensive analyst and outside linebackers coach for the Tigers. He will help guide a defensive unit for one of the most successful SWAC programs in recent years.
“A Jackson native. A champion. A pro. Now, he’s bringing his experience, passion, and love for this city back to where it belongs,” a release from Jackson State Athletics reads. “Please join us in welcoming Breeland Speaks to the Jackson State Football family. The mission remains the same: Develop champions. Build men. Defend Thee Standard.”
Speaks spent his prep years at Callaway, where he became a 4-star prospect before landing at Ole Miss in 2015. He spent three seasons with the Rebels and earned All-SEC honors in the process. The defensive end notably had nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss while with the red and blue. He also stole the show during the 2017 Egg Bowl when he smiled and waved into the camera after recovering a fumble.
Speaks was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he logged 24 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. He was placed on injured reserve in 2019, but was still a part of the team when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV. Speaks later spent time in the UFL before retiring from professional football this year.
Now, the former pro will look to use his experience to lead college players at Jackson State. The Tigers concluded the 2025 campaign with a 23-21 SWAC Championship loss to Prairie View A&M and will look to go on a revenge tour with the upcoming season kicks off on Aug. 29.
