Eric Kendricks Bio
Eric Nathan Marvin Kendricks is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 29, 1992, Kendricks rose to prominence at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top collegiate linebacker in 2014. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft and has since built a reputation as a tackling machine and defensive leader across multiple franchises.
Across his professional career, Kendricks has suited up for the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers. A former First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, he continues to contribute as a veteran inside linebacker known for his football intelligence, durability, and consistency in run defense and pass coverage.
Early Life and Background
Eric Nathan Marvin Kendricks was born in Clovis, California, to Yvonne Thagon and Marvin Kendricks. His father played running back for the UCLA Bruins and later professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Kendricks grew up alongside an older brother, Mychal, and a younger sister, Danielle. He and his siblings were raised primarily by their mother after his parents separated, with his father later overcoming addiction and reestablishing a presence in their lives.
Kendricks attended Herbert Hoover High School in Fresno, California, where he was a multi-sport standout. He earned three varsity letters in football for coach Pat Plummer, playing linebacker, quarterback, running back, kicker, and punter, while serving as team captain in his junior and senior seasons. As a senior in 2009, he registered 117 tackles and two interceptions on defense while scoring 14 touchdowns on offense, earning first-team All-league defensive honors from the Fresno Bee.
Beyond football, Kendricks lettered in basketball and baseball, being named first-team All-league in both sports and earning 2010 male Tri-Athlete of the Year at his school. Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com, he committed to UCLA in November 2009 to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Kendricks’ path to professional football began in earnest at UCLA, where he played for the Bruins from 2010 to 2014. After redshirting in 2010, he quickly established himself as a tackling leader, finishing second on the team with 76 tackles as a redshirt freshman in 2011 and earning Freshman All-American honorable mention recognition. By his sophomore season, he was leading the Pac-12 in tackles with an average of 10.64 per game, the first Bruin to top the conference in that category since 2004.
As a junior in 2013, Kendricks again led the team in tackles with 105 stops and earned multiple team awards for leadership and defensive performance. Entering his senior year as a three-year starter, he led the Football Bowl Subdivision in solo tackles with 101 and set the UCLA career tackles record with 481, surpassing a mark that had stood since 1978. He capped his collegiate career by being named the game’s defensive MVP in the Bruins’ 40-35 Alamo Bowl victory over Kansas State.
Kendricks solidified his draft stock with an impressive performance at the 2015 NFL Combine, where his 4.61-second 40-yard dash ranked among the fastest times for linebackers. DraftScout.com ranked him as the top inside linebacker prospect in the class heading into the NFL draft.
Eric Kendricks Career
Early Career (2015-2017)
The Minnesota Vikings selected Kendricks in the second round (45th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft and signed him to a four-year, $5.15 million contract that included a $2 million signing bonus. After beginning his rookie season as a backup, he assumed the starting middle linebacker role following a trade in October 2015 and never looked back. That month, he posted 20 combined tackles, four sacks, and five quarterback pressures in just three games, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors.
Kendricks finished his rookie campaign with 92 combined tackles, four sacks, and a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection, becoming the first rookie to lead the Vikings in tackles since 1961. He was inactive for only two games due to a rib injury, demonstrating durability that would become a hallmark of his career. In 2016, he returned his first career interception 77 yards for a touchdown in the season opener against Tennessee and earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
By 2017, Kendricks had cemented his role as a defensive cornerstone, starting all 16 games and recording a career-high 113 tackles to lead the team. His consistent production and sideline-to-sideline play helped anchor the Vikings’ defensive identity.
Minnesota Vikings Breakthrough (2018-2022)
On April 16, 2018, Kendricks signed a five-year, $50 million contract extension with the Vikings, with $25 million guaranteed, validating his status as one of the league’s top inside linebackers. He continued to produce at a high level, recording 108 tackles, two interceptions, one sack, and a forced fumble despite playing in only 14 games that season. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses in both the run game and passing situations made him a defensive staple.
Throughout the 2019 season, Kendricks delivered one of his finest professional years, earning First-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection. His veteran leadership helped guide a Vikings defense that remained among the league’s most competitive units. He continued to flash big-play ability, including an interception of Jimmy Garoppolo in a Divisional Round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.
In 2020, Kendricks continued his interception streak against division rivals, picking off Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford during a Week 9 win. On November 13, 2022, he recovered a botched snap in the end zone for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills, highlighting his nose for the football. The Vikings released Kendricks on March 6, 2023, concluding an eight-year run in Minnesota.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2024-2025)
On March 14, 2024, Kendricks signed with the Dallas Cowboys, bringing his veteran presence to a new defensive unit. He started 15 games during the regular season and produced a strong statistical campaign, recording two interceptions, three pass deflections, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three sacks, and 138 combined tackles. His production reaffirmed his status as one of the most reliable tacklers in the league.
Kendricks’ tenure with Dallas demonstrated his continued ability to impact games despite changes in scheme and coaching. His professional approach and on-field intelligence helped stabilize the linebacker corps and provided leadership in the locker room.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2023-2024)
On March 14, 2023, Kendricks signed a two-year, $13.25 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers following his release from Minnesota. He quickly became a central figure in the Chargers’ defense, finishing second on the team in tackles with 117 through 15 games while adding 3.5 sacks, six passes defended, and one forced fumble.
His experience and production proved valuable for a Chargers defense in transition, and he continued to perform at a high level before being released on March 5, 2024.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2025-Present)
On November 26, 2025, Kendricks signed with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, joining one of the NFC’s most consistent defenses. The move reunited him with a contending roster and offered an opportunity to contribute late in the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kendricks is widely regarded as a high-IQ linebacker whose instincts and recognition skills allow him to play fast against both the run and the pass. His sideline-to-sideline range, strong tackling form, and ability to diagnose plays quickly have defined his career. He pairs diagnostic awareness with reliable open-field tackling and has built a reputation as a steady defensive communicator.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kendricks’ signature moments are his 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award, his 2019 First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, and his record-setting UCLA career tackle total. He is also the only active NFL player born on a leap day, a unique distinction tied to his February 29, 1992, birthday.
Eric Kendricks Career Wins
Eric Nathan Marvin Kendricks has earned recognition as one of the most productive linebackers of his generation through durable play and steady production across multiple franchises. While individual game victories are part of team results, his legacy is defined by consistent statistical excellence and postseason contributions.
NFL Highlights
Throughout his NFL career, Kendricks has been a tackling leader for every team he has played for, including leading the Vikings in tackles in 2017 with 113 stops and finishing second on the Chargers in 2023 with 117 tackles. He has also produced in the postseason, highlighted by his interception of Jimmy Garoppolo in a Divisional Round game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond league play, Kendricks earned the Butkus Award and Lott Trophy in 2014 as the nation’s top collegiate linebacker. He was also named a First-team All-American by The Sporting News that same year, cementing his status among the best amateur linebackers in recent memory.
Eric Kendricks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Eric Nathan Marvin Kendricks comes from a family with deep football roots. His father, Marvin Kendricks, played running back for the UCLA Bruins and led the team in rushing in 1970 and 1971 before playing professionally in the Canadian Football League. His older brother, Mychal Kendricks, also played linebacker in the NFL, making the Kendricks family one of the more notable football lineages of the modern era.
Personal Life
Kendricks met model and former athlete Ally Courtnall at UCLA in 2010, and the couple began dating in 2013 before marrying on July 2, 2022. Their son, Knight, was born on May 3, 2023. Kendricks continues to be active off the field, maintaining a presence on social media and engaging with fans through community and football-related endeavors.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has seen Eric Nathan Marvin Kendricks transition to the San Francisco 49ers after spending the bulk of the year with the Dallas Cowboys. With Dallas, he started 15 games and tallied two interceptions, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and 138 combined tackles, reinforcing his value as a productive veteran linebacker.
After signing with the 49ers’ practice squad on November 26, 2025, Kendricks joined a defensive unit known for its discipline and complexity. His experience and tackling reliability position him as a potential late-season contributor for a contending roster.
Looking ahead, Kendricks’ future in the NFL remains open, with his contract with the 49ers ongoing. His blend of experience, durability, and football intelligence ensures he remains a valuable asset for any defensive scheme as the season progresses.