Luke Gifford Bio
Luke Gifford (born August 28, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and weighing 243 lb (110 kg), he plays wearing jersey number 57. After going unselected in the 2019 NFL draft, Gifford signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent and went on to spend time with the Tennessee Titans before joining the 49ers in 2025. A former Nebraska Cornhusker, he has built his reputation on special teams play while steadily developing into a reliable reserve linebacker on defense.
Early Life and Background
Luke Gifford was born on August 28, 1995, in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the United States. He grew up in his hometown and attended Lincoln Southeast High School, where he developed as a two-way football player. Gifford lined up at tight end and safety, showing early versatility that would later help him transition to linebacker at the professional level.
As a sophomore at Lincoln Southeast, Gifford contributed to the Knights winning the 2011 Nebraska state championship, an early milestone in his football career. He earned second-team All-Nebraska honors as a junior. During his senior season, the coaching staff moved him into a leadership role as the starting quarterback, further broadening his understanding of the game before he focused on defense at the next level.
Path to American Football
Following high school, Gifford accepted a football scholarship to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he initially planned to play safety. The Nebraska coaching staff instead converted him into a linebacker, a position change that shaped his professional trajectory. He redshirted his first year on campus and appeared in six games as a redshirt freshman before a hip injury cut his season short.
As he moved through the Nebraska program, Gifford grew into a more prominent role on defense. His junior year ended with another hip injury, but he returned as a senior to start all 12 contests, leading the team with 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks while also forcing one fumble. His senior production caught the attention of NFL scouts, even though he was not selected in the 2019 draft.
Luke Gifford Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Gifford signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2019, after the conclusion of that year’s NFL draft. He suffered a left high ankle sprain during the first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, but Dallas kept him on the regular-season roster. Gifford returned in Week 6 against the New York Jets and focused on special teams, finishing his rookie campaign with six games played and a tie for fourth on the team with six special teams tackles before a fractured left arm ended his season in Week 15.
In 2020, Gifford appeared in eight games primarily on special teams and finished second on the Cowboys with seven special teams tackles. He was suspended two games in November 2020 by the NFL for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy and missed additional time after being reinstated. Through his first two seasons, he established himself as a core member of Dallas’s special teams units.
Dallas Cowboys Breakthrough (2021–2022)
The 2021 season marked Gifford’s most significant defensive role to that point, as he appeared in 16 games as a backup linebacker and tied for second on the team with five special teams tackles. He added six defensive tackles, including one for loss, and recorded a career-high three defensive tackles in the regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also blocked his first career punt against the New England Patriots, showing his value in the kicking game.
Gifford re-signed with Dallas on a one-year contract on March 21, 2022, and enjoyed his most complete season as a pro. He played in all 16 games as a backup linebacker and led the team with a career-high 12 special teams tackles, while also contributing five defensive tackles and one forced fumble. He set another career high with five special teams tackles and one fumble recovery against the Green Bay Packers, and he added two special teams tackles plus a forced fumble against the Minnesota Vikings.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023–2024)
On March 20, 2023, Gifford signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans, beginning the next chapter of his career. Injuries limited him during his first season in Tennessee, and he appeared in only 11 games, working mostly on special teams with just eight defensive snaps before landing on injured reserve in late December 2023. The Titans waived him on September 3, 2024, and quickly signed him to their practice squad the following day.
Gifford was promoted to the active roster on September 27, 2024, and worked his way into a starting linebacker role late in the season. He started four games after injuries to Jerome Baker and Kenneth Murray, tallying 11 tackles in a single game during Week 14. The following week, he recorded his first career interception, picking off Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the opening drive of Week 15. He finished 2024 with a career-high 48 total tackles, 31 of them solo, along with two pass deflections.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Gifford signed with the San Francisco 49ers, joining one of the NFL’s most established defensive organizations. The move brought him back to the Bay Area, where he had suffered his first preseason injury as a Cowboy, and gave him a fresh opportunity to compete for a defensive role. He entered the 2025 season wearing jersey number 57 and remained active on the 49ers roster.
Gifford earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2025, recognition that reflected his steady growth from undrafted special teams contributor to respected linebacker. Through his early 49ers tenure, he continued to log tackles, interceptions, forced fumbles, pass deflections, and fumble recoveries while providing veteran depth on defense and special teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gifford is best known for his special teams reliability, built over years of hard-hitting play on coverage units and punt blocks. On defense, he has developed into a disciplined linebacker who reads plays quickly, supports the run, and has shown the hands to record his first career interception in 2024. His football intelligence, gained from playing multiple positions since high school, allows him to communicate effectively within defensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Gifford’s signature moments came in Week 15 of the 2024 season, when he intercepted Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals for his first career pick. He also set a career high with five special teams tackles against the Green Bay Packers in 2022 and led the Cowboys in special teams tackles that same season. His 2025 Pro Bowl selection stands as the clearest formal recognition of his career progression.
Luke Gifford Career Wins
Luke Gifford has built his professional resume around consistent production on special teams and dependable reserve linebacker play rather than headline-grabbing statistics. Across the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers, he has appeared in regular-season games from 2019 through 2025, gradually expanding his defensive role. His career highlight remains his 2025 Pro Bowl selection, which validated years of steady contribution on coverage units and rotational defense.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
From 2019 to 2024, Gifford played for the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans, appearing in regular-season action on special teams and defense. He set a career high with 48 total tackles in 2024, including his first career interception, and tied or led his teams in special teams tackles during multiple seasons. Through the 2025 season, his career totals include 130 total tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 3 pass deflections.
Other Performances
Earlier in his career, Gifford contributed to team success in high school and college, helping Lincoln Southeast win the 2011 Nebraska state championship and leading Nebraska in tackles for loss and sacks during his senior season. These early performances laid the foundation for his professional opportunity as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
Luke Gifford Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available details about Luke Gifford’s parents and broader family background are limited, and he has not shared extensive information about his relatives in verified sources. His upbringing in Lincoln, Nebraska, and his development at Lincoln Southeast High School suggest a supportive environment that helped him grow into a Division I athlete.
Personal Life
Gifford has kept most of his personal life private, and verified details about a spouse, partner, or children are not publicly confirmed. He remains connected to his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, through his high school and college roots, and he continues to build his professional career in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has marked a turning point in Luke Gifford’s career, as he joined the San Francisco 49ers on March 13, 2025, after four seasons split between Dallas and Tennessee. He settled into a depth linebacker role and remained active on the roster, contributing on special teams while providing situational help on defense. His selection to the 2025 Pro Bowl underscored the respect he earned around the league for his steady, versatile play.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Gifford added to his career defensive totals, helping the 49ers’ linebacker rotation while logging tackles and key plays in the secondary. His experience as a multi-phase contributor, covering kicks, rushing the passer, and dropping into coverage, gave San Francisco a flexible veteran option. The Pro Bowl nod reflected both his individual reliability and his value within a contending roster.
Looking ahead, Gifford’s outlook with the 49ers centers on continuing his special teams impact while pushing for more defensive snaps in a competitive linebacker room. His Pro Bowl recognition in 2025 establishes a new benchmark, and his familiarity with multiple defensive schemes from his time in Dallas and Tennessee should help him adapt to San Francisco’s system. If he maintains his current trajectory, he could remain a key rotational piece for the 49ers beyond the 2025 season.