Brandon Scherff Bio
Brandon Scherff, born December 26, 1991, in Denison, Iowa, is an American former professional football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he earned unanimous All-American honors and won the Outland Trophy. Selected fifth overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2015 NFL Draft, Scherff developed into one of the league’s most respected interior linemen, earning five Pro Bowl selections and a First-Team All-Pro nod. He later joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 before announcing his retirement from professional football in August 2025.
Early Life and Background
A native of Denison, Iowa, Brandon Scherff attended Denison High School, where he was a standout two-way lineman. As a senior, he earned first-team all-state honors on offense, and the year before, he had earned second-team all-state recognition on defense. During his sophomore season, Scherff also played quarterback, passing for 1,200 yards, and his high school coach was Dave Wiebers. Beyond football, he competed in basketball, where he led the state in rebounds as a senior, and helped his baseball team qualify for the state tournament as a junior.
Scherff was also an accomplished track and field athlete, competing in the shot put and discus throw. He won two state titles in the shot put as a sophomore and a senior and captured the shot put event at the 2010 Drake Relays with a career-best throw of 18.77 meters, which set a school record. At the 2010 Iowa State Track and Field Championships, he placed third in the discus with a personal-best throw of 48.95 meters. Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was ranked as the No. 44 offensive tackle prospect in 2010.
Scherff committed to the University of Iowa over offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Nebraska. He is a lifelong Lutheran and has regularly contributed autographed memorabilia to fundraisers for his Lutheran grade school.
Path to American Football
Brandon Scherff’s athletic foundation was built on his multi-sport versatility in high school, from quarterback to basketball rebounder to track and field standout. His dominant performances in the shot put and discus foreshadowed the raw power that would later define his play as a professional lineman. By the time he was being recruited, his combination of size, strength, and footwork made him a coveted offensive line prospect in the Midwest.
Choosing Iowa allowed Scherff to develop under a program with a strong reputation for producing NFL-caliber linemen. His early training as a multi-sport athlete gave him an edge, and his track and field background contributed to the explosion and balance that scouts would later highlight in his pre-draft evaluations.
Brandon Scherff Career
College Career (2011–2014)
After redshirting his initial year at Iowa, Brandon Scherff saw action at left guard in eleven games as a redshirt freshman, starting three of them. In his sophomore year, he replaced Riley Reiff as the starting left tackle and started the first seven games of the season at left tackle before suffering a broken fibula and a dislocated ankle in game seven, an injury that ended his season. Despite being regarded as one of the best offensive lineman prospects for the NFL Draft after his junior year, Scherff decided to return for his senior year at Iowa.
He received his B.A. degree in Leisure Studies in December 2014, the same month his senior season concluded. After the 2014 season, Scherff was awarded the Outland Trophy as the country’s best interior lineman, and he also earned unanimous All-American honors and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year recognition. He was twice named First-Team All-Big Ten, in 2013 and 2014, cementing his status as one of the top linemen in college football.
Washington Redskins / Football Team Era (2015–2021)
The Washington Redskins selected Brandon Scherff in the first round, fifth overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft, making him the first player from Iowa drafted in the top ten since Robert Gallery was selected second overall in 2004. On May 12, 2015, he signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $21.21 million contract. He entered training camp competing with Morgan Moses for the starting right tackle position, but was moved to right guard prior to the regular season. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan named him the Redskins’ starting right guard after he won the job over Spencer Long in the preseason.
Scherff made his professional debut in the Redskins’ season-opening 17–10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He started all 16 regular season games, played 752 snaps, and helped the Redskins finish first in the NFC East with a 9–7 record. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and, in January 2016, started his first career postseason game as the Redskins were routed by the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wildcard game 35–18. He finished his second season starting all 16 regular season games and was voted to the 2017 Pro Bowl, his first such selection, followed by the 2018 Pro Bowl the next year.
On April 16, 2018, the Redskins picked up the fifth-year option on Scherff’s contract, but on November 5, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral in Week 9. For the 2019 season, he was voted to his third Pro Bowl, though the same day he was placed on injured reserve due to elbow and shoulder injuries. An impending free agent in 2020, the team placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, and he agreed to it on April 8, 2020. He was placed on injured reserve on September 22 following an MCL sprain suffered in a Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals, but was reactivated on October 16, 2020. He was named to the 2021 Pro Bowl, his fourth career selection, and became the first Washington player to be named First-Team All-Pro since punter Matt Turk in 1996. He was also ranked 98th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021 list.
In March 2021, Washington placed another non-exclusive franchise tag on Scherff, worth $18 million, which he signed days later. He was placed on the team’s COVID-19 reserve list on July 31, 2021, and activated on August 5. In the Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Scherff left in the second quarter due to an MCL sprain. He missed the Week 15 and 16 games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys after being placed on the COVID-19 reserve list for a second time on December 20, 2021, before returning to the active roster a week later.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2022–2024)
Brandon Scherff signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 16, 2022. He played and started at right guard for all 17 regular season games in the 2022 season, anchoring a Jaguars offensive line that powered a late-season surge. In his second career playoff run, Scherff played through an abdomen injury in the Jaguars’ 2022–23 Wild Card round win against the Los Angeles Chargers and the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round.
He continued to be a reliable presence, starting all 17 regular season games at right guard for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. His consistency in Jacksonville made him one of the most dependable interior linemen in the league during his three years with the team.
Notable Events and Milestones
Brandon Scherff’s career included several signature milestones, including being the first Washington player named First-Team All-Pro since Matt Turk in 1996. He earned five Pro Bowl selections across his career and was a key starter in two playoff appearances. His 10-year NFL career spanned 160-plus regular season games, establishing him as one of the most durable guards of his era. On August 14, 2025, Scherff revealed in an interview that he had retired from the NFL, closing the chapter on a decorated professional tenure.
Brandon Scherff Career Wins
Brandon Scherff’s career accolades include five Pro Bowl selections, one First-Team All-Pro honor, and a PFWA All-Rookie Team nod. He was a key starter in two postseason runs, including a 2022 Wild Card victory with the Jacksonville Jaguars. While statistics for individual offensive linemen are typically measured by team success, Scherff’s dominance was reflected in the consistent winning cultures of the teams he anchored.
Other Wins & Performances
Scherff was a multi-sport standout in high school, winning two state titles in the shot put and earning all-state honors in football, basketball, and baseball. His versatility and leadership across sports helped lay the foundation for a professional football career that spanned a decade in the NFL.
Brandon Scherff Family
Personal Life
Brandon Scherff is a lifelong Lutheran and has regularly contributed autographed memorabilia to fundraisers for his Lutheran grade school, reflecting his commitment to his faith and community. Beyond his charitable work, details of his family and personal relationships are not widely documented in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
On August 14, 2025, Brandon Scherff revealed in an interview that he had retired from the NFL, bringing an end to a 10-year professional career. His retirement marked the conclusion of a tenure that included five Pro Bowl selections, a First-Team All-Pro honor, and stints with both the Washington franchise and the Jacksonville Jaguars. His decision came after completing the 2024 season as the Jaguars’ starting right guard, having started all 17 regular season games for the third consecutive year.
Scherff’s legacy includes being one of the most durable interior linemen of his era, with consistent availability and elite play at the guard position. His contributions to the Jacksonville offensive line helped power the team’s AFC South championship run in 2022 and a return to playoff contention in subsequent seasons. As a respected veteran presence, he served as a stabilizing force in the locker room and on the field for both franchises he represented.
Looking ahead, Scherff’s retirement opens the door to potential opportunities in coaching, broadcasting, or community work, though his immediate plans have not been publicly announced. His impact on the game, particularly in mentoring younger linemen and maintaining a championship-caliber standard, will be remembered as part of his enduring legacy in the NFL.