Laken Tomlinson Bio
Laken Tomlinson (born February 9, 1992) is a Jamaican-American professional football guard currently on the roster of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Standing roughly 6 feet 3 inches tall and competing at about 320 pounds, he has built a decade-long career protecting quarterbacks and opening running lanes at the game’s highest level. He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils, where his durability and consistency made him one of the most reliable offensive linemen in program history. In 2015, he became the first Duke player selected in the first round of an NFL Draft in nearly three decades.
Born in Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica, Tomlinson moved to Chicago, Illinois in 2003 and grew up in the Rogers Park neighborhood. He attended Lane Technical College Prep High School, where he starred in both football and track and field. Over the course of his NFL career, he has played for the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens, earning Pro Bowl recognition in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Laken Tomlinson was born on February 9, 1992, in Savanna-la-Mar, a coastal town in the Westmoreland Parish of Jamaica. In March 2003, at the age of eleven, he relocated with his family to Chicago, Illinois, where he was raised in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the city’s North Side. The transition from Jamaica to the United States shaped his early years, and he quickly became immersed in the competitive youth sports culture of his new hometown.
At Lane Technical College Prep High School, Tomlinson emerged as a two-sport standout in football and track and field. As a senior, he was honored as an all-state selection by both the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and the Chicago Tribune, and he was also named his team’s Most Valuable Player. A two-time all-city pick and a four-time first-team all-conference selection, he helped lead Lane Tech to the 2008 Chicago Public League football championship, establishing himself as one of the top offensive line prospects in the region.
On the track, Tomlinson also excelled as a thrower. At the 2009 Chicago Public League Track and Field Championship, he won the discus with a throw of 140 feet 6 inches and finished second in the shot put. He later competed at the 2009 Illinois 3A State Track and Field Championship, where he recorded personal bests of 141 feet 1 inch in the discus and 47 feet 7 inches in the shot put, demonstrating the athletic foundation that would later serve him well in football.
Path to American Football
Tomlinson’s path to major college football began with his standout play at Lane Tech, where his combination of size, footwork, and field awareness drew attention from recruiters across the country. His track and field background gave him uncommon explosiveness for an interior lineman, an attribute college coaches prized in modern spread offenses. He ultimately chose Duke University, committing to a program in the Atlantic Coast Conference that was looking to rebuild its offensive line.
Arriving in Durham, North Carolina, Tomlinson wasted no time making an impact. He earned a starting role as a freshman in 2010 and held it for the remainder of his collegiate career, starting 52 games at Duke from 2010 to 2014. In 2013, he was recognized as a second-team All-ACC selection, and a year later he earned first-team All-ACC honors and was named a consensus All-American as a senior. His durability and steady improvement made him a cornerstone of the Blue Devils’ offensive front.
Following his senior season, Tomlinson received the Anthony J. McKevlin Award in 2015 as the men’s ACC Athlete of the Year, a rare honor for an offensive lineman. His combination of experience, technique, and consistency positioned him as one of the top guard prospects entering the 2015 NFL Draft.
Laken Tomlinson Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Tomlinson entered the NFL as a first-round selection, drafted 28th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the first Duke player chosen in the first round since linebacker Mike Junkin in 1987, signaling the high expectations the Lions had for him. He immediately earned a starting role at guard and helped anchor an offensive line that was looking to protect quarterback Matthew Stafford and support a run-heavy offensive scheme.
Across two seasons in Detroit, Tomlinson started the majority of games and earned a reputation as a dependable, technically sound lineman. Although the Lions struggled to find consistent team success during that period, his individual play was generally well-regarded, and by the end of his second season it had become clear that other teams were keeping close tabs on his development.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2017–2021)
On August 31, 2017, the Detroit Lions traded Tomlinson to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2019 fifth-round draft pick. After missing the season opener, he started the next 15 games at left guard for San Francisco, quickly establishing himself as a fixture on the offensive line. The trade proved to be the turning point of his career, giving him a long-term home where he could develop chemistry with teammates and coaching staff.
In May 2018, the 49ers declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, which would have made him a free agent in 2019. Instead, on June 22, 2018, Tomlinson signed a three-year, $18 million extension with $10 million guaranteed, reflecting the organization’s growing confidence in him. He went on to start nearly every game over the next several seasons, and his steady, high-level play helped lay the foundation for the 49ers’ resurgence as a playoff contender.
Tomlinson’s most celebrated season came in 2021, when his performance at left guard earned him a selection to the Pro Bowl, the first such honor of his career. That season, San Francisco advanced deep into the playoffs, and Tomlinson’s blocking was a key component of one of the league’s most balanced offenses. His run-blocking and pass-protection reliability became hallmarks of his game during this period.
New York Jets Era (2022–2023)
On March 17, 2022, Tomlinson signed a three-year contract with the New York Jets, joining a young roster in the midst of a rebuild. He was expected to bring veteran leadership and stability to the offensive line, and he quickly earned a starting role. His presence helped solidify the interior of a line that was tasked with protecting a developing quarterback and supporting an upgraded offensive scheme.
Tomlinson remained a regular contributor through the 2023 season, but the Jets’ overall struggles continued. On February 26, 2024, he was released by the team, opening the door for a new chapter in his career.
Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans Era (2024–2025)
On April 15, 2024, Tomlinson signed with the Seattle Seahawks, joining another team looking to reinforce its offensive line. He provided depth and veteran experience during his time in Seattle before being released, allowing him to pursue another opportunity. Shortly afterward, on March 18, 2025, he signed with the Houston Texans.
With the Texans, Tomlinson was named the Week 1 starting left guard and appeared in 10 games during the season, starting seven of them. He was released on December 2, 2025, but did not remain a free agent for long.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025–Present)
On December 9, 2025, Tomlinson signed with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, joining a contender looking to bolster its offensive line depth for a late-season push. The move brought him back to a competitive environment and offered an opportunity to contribute on a team with championship aspirations.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the football field, Tomlinson is known for his technique, balance, and football intelligence rather than raw physical dominance. He excels in pass protection, using sound footwork and a strong base to neutralize interior pass rushers, and he is a reliable run-blocker who understands combination blocks and reach assignments. His experience in zone-blocking schemes, developed during his years in San Francisco, has made him a flexible fit for various offensive systems. His track and field background also gives him uncommon lower-body explosiveness for the position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Tomlinson’s career has been marked by several significant milestones. He became the first Duke player drafted in the first round since 1987, was named a consensus All-American in 2014, and earned the prestigious Anthony J. McKevlin Award in 2015. In 2021, he was selected to the Pro Bowl after a stellar season with the 49ers, cementing his place among the league’s top guards.
Laken Tomlinson Career Wins
Laken Tomlinson’s professional resume includes a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and a consensus All-American honor in 2014. He has been a part of multiple playoff-contending rosters throughout his career, including the 49ers’ deep postseason run in 2021.
Pro Bowl Highlights
Tomlinson earned his lone Pro Bowl nod in 2021 while playing for the San Francisco 49ers. That season he started all 17 games at left guard and was widely praised for his consistency in both pass protection and run blocking. It was the highlight of a five-year run in San Francisco that transformed him from a first-round prospect into one of the league’s most respected interior linemen.
Other Performances
In addition to his Pro Bowl season, Tomlinson was named a second-team All-ACC selection in 2013 and a first-team All-ACC pick in 2014 during his time at Duke. He started 52 games for the Blue Devils, an extraordinary mark of durability and consistency for an offensive lineman. He also won a Chicago Public League football championship in 2008 with Lane Tech, an early signal of his competitive pedigree.
Laken Tomlinson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tomlinson was born and raised in Jamaica before relocating to the United States as a child, a journey that helped shape his resilience and work ethic. His family’s support through that transition laid the foundation for his later athletic development in Chicago.
Personal Life
Tomlinson has primarily been based in Chicago, Illinois, and is known for maintaining a low public profile away from football. He has built his professional life around his career and continues to compete at the highest level of the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Tomlinson’s 2025 season began with the Houston Texans, where he signed in mid-March and was named the Week 1 starting left guard. He appeared in 10 games for Houston and started seven of them, providing steady play on the interior offensive line before being released on December 2.
Shortly after his release, Tomlinson signed with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad on December 9, joining a contender late in the regular season. The move positioned him within an organization known for its physical offensive line play and gave him an opportunity to compete for a role on the active roster.
As the season progresses, Tomlinson’s veteran experience and positional versatility remain valuable assets. Whether called upon in a depth role or pushed into the starting lineup, his track record of durability and preparation makes him a reliable option for a Ravens team with postseason ambitions.