Jack Sanborn Bio
Jack Sanborn (born July 29, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing roughly 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 240 pounds, Sanborn plays the position with a physical, downhill style that earned him steady roles in both Chicago and Dallas. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before launching his NFL career as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Jack Sanborn was born on July 29, 2000, in Lake Zurich, Illinois, and grew up in nearby Deer Park. He was raised by his mother following the death of his father, Paul Sanborn, when Jack was four years old. Paul Sanborn had played college football as an offensive lineman for the University of Oregon, planting the football roots that shaped his son’s future.
Sanborn attended Lake Zurich High School in Lake Zurich, Illinois, where he developed into one of the most productive linebackers in the state. As a senior, he played in the Illinois State Football Championship and was named the Pioneer Press Defensive Player of the Year after recording 120 tackles and three sacks. Across three varsity seasons at Lake Zurich, Sanborn totaled 296 tackles and 13 sacks, finishing as a four-star recruit who chose Wisconsin over several other Power Five offers.
Path to American Football
Sanborn’s early path to high-level football ran through Lake Zurich’s thriving high school program, where his tackling numbers and leadership stood out from a young age. Coaches relied on him to read plays and finish tackles, habits that traveled cleanly to the college level. His combination of production and athleticism placed him on the radar of top-tier college programs well before his senior season ended.
That recruiting traction led Sanborn to the University of Wisconsin, a traditional Big Ten powerhouse known for producing NFL linebackers. He chose the Badgers over multiple Power Five suitors, signaling his belief that Wisconsin’s defensive system would prepare him for the next step. The move set the stage for a productive four-year college career and ultimately his entry into professional football.
Jack Sanborn Career
Early Career
Jack Sanborn joined the Wisconsin Badgers and quickly carved out a role on defense. As a freshman, he appeared in 11 games and gained valuable experience within the Badgers’ linebacker rotation. By his sophomore season, he had developed into a centerpiece of the defense, leading Wisconsin with 80 tackles while adding 9 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
That production confirmed Sanborn as a difference-maker, and he never relinquished his starting role. His consistency and physicality became staples of the Badgers’ front seven, and his leadership helped set the tone for the unit throughout his time in Madison.
Wisconsin Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Across his final three college seasons, Sanborn remained one of the Badgers’ most reliable tacklers. As a junior, he again led the team with 52 tackles, adding 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception, earning third-team All-Big Ten Conference recognition for his efforts.
His senior season marked the peak of his college career. Sanborn was named first-team All-Big Ten after recording 91 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. Following the season, he announced that he would enter the 2022 NFL Draft, closing his Wisconsin tenure as one of the program’s most decorated recent linebackers.
Chicago Bears Era (2022–2024)
Sanborn signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2022, and eventually made the team’s 53-man roster. He became the Bears’ starting middle linebacker following the trade of Roquan Smith, and on November 13, during his first career start, he recorded 2 sacks and 12 total tackles in a 31–30 loss to the Detroit Lions. He finished his rookie year with 6 starts, 64 total tackles, and 2 sacks before a season-ending ankle injury in December. Pro Football Focus later named him to its 2022 All-Rookie Team.
In 2023, after the Bears signed Tremaine Edmunds and T. J. Edwards, Sanborn transitioned to strong-side linebacker. He started all 17 games, registering 65 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack, and 7 tackles for loss, and was named to ESPN’s 2023 All-Youngster Team. In 2024, Sanborn played all 17 games with 3 starts, posting 35 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss, before the Bears opted not to tender him, making him a free agent.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, Sanborn signed with the Dallas Cowboys, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move paired him with a defense looking to add experienced linebacker depth and a player familiar with starting responsibilities. He appeared in early-season games for Dallas before being placed on injured reserve on November 3 due to a groin injury.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sanborn’s game is built on physicality at the point of attack, downhill tackling, and a strong feel for run fits. He processes plays quickly and shows the discipline to maintain gap integrity, traits that have allowed him to shift between middle and strong-side linebacker duties. His instincts, combined with his tackling volume throughout college and the NFL, have made him a reliable rotational piece and occasional starter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sanborn’s professional resume features several standout moments, including his first NFL start against the Detroit Lions with 2 sacks and 12 tackles, his 2022 Pro Football Focus All-Rookie Team selection, and his placement on ESPN’s 2023 All-Youngster Team. Going undrafted and then earning a starting role as a rookie stands as the defining early milestone of his NFL journey.
Jack Sanborn Career Wins
Jack Sanborn’s career is built less on traditional win totals and more on individual production and team milestones across multiple levels of football. His achievements span high school, college, and the professional ranks, highlighting consistent performance as a tackling linebacker.
Wisconsin Badgers Highlights
Sanborn led Wisconsin in tackles in both his sophomore and junior seasons, finishing his college career with first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021. He capped his Badgers tenure with 91 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks as a senior, announcing his NFL intentions shortly after.
Other Wins and Performances
At Lake Zurich High School, Sanborn was named the Pioneer Press Defensive Player of the Year as a senior after leading the Bears to the Illinois State Football Championship. He was also a four-star recruit and the Brian Piccolo Award recipient in 2022, an honor recognizing a Bears rookie who best embodies the qualities of the late Brian Piccolo.
Jack Sanborn Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sanborn’s football roots trace back to his late father, Paul Sanborn, who played college football as an offensive lineman at the University of Oregon. That family connection gave Jack an early understanding of the game’s demands and helped fuel his passion for the sport.
Personal Life
Sanborn’s younger brother, Bryan, also plays linebacker at Wisconsin, continuing the family’s football tradition. Beyond his brother, Sanborn keeps much of his personal life private, and his residence and family details outside of football are not publicly documented.
2025 Season Performance
Sanborn’s 2025 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys began on a hopeful note after he signed with the team on March 12, 2025. He joined a defense looking to add experienced linebacker help, and his familiarity with both middle and strong-side linebacker duties gave Dallas a versatile option.
His season was interrupted on November 3, when he was placed on injured reserve due to a groin injury, cutting short his on-field contribution. The timeline of his recovery and his potential return later in the season remained a storyline worth watching for the Cowboys’ linebacker rotation.
Looking ahead, Sanborn’s blend of starting experience, tackling reliability, and positional flexibility gives him a clear path back into the Cowboys’ defensive plans. His ability to contribute on early downs and in sub-packages, combined with the lessons learned from his first three NFL seasons, sets up a strong outlook once healthy.