Natrone Brooks Bio
Natrone Brooks (born December 11, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback and kickoff returner for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 175 pounds, he plays on the defensive side of the ball while also contributing on special teams. Brooks joined the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2023 after a productive college career split between Copiah–Lincoln Community College and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Known for his coverage skills and instincts in the return game, he continues to develop within the Atlanta organization.
Early Life and Background
Natrone Brooks was born on December 11, 1999, in Starkville, Mississippi, a town known across the state for its deep football traditions. He grew up in Starkville and attended Starkville High School, where he quickly emerged as one of the more reliable defensive backs on the roster. Across his high school career, Brooks appeared in 40 games and produced 136 total tackles, including 88 solo stops and 48 assisted tackles, along with 13 tackles for loss, one sack, and six interceptions.
Those numbers drew the attention of college scouts, and Brooks was rated as a three-star recruit. He originally committed to play at the University of Memphis before deciding to begin his college career at the junior college level. That choice allowed him to refine his technique and gain additional experience before moving on to a four-year program.
Path to Professional Football
Brooks started his college journey at Copiah–Lincoln Community College, where he played his 2018 true freshman season. In that debut year, he recorded 24 total tackles, two interceptions, and one tackle for loss, showing the ball-hawking instincts that would later define his career. During the 2019 season, he appeared in nine games and finished with 35 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
After the 2019 season, Brooks announced that he would transfer to the University of Southern Mississippi to compete at the NCAA Division I level. Joining the Southern Miss Golden Eagles gave him the chance to test himself against stronger competition and positioned him for a professional opportunity after his senior season.
Natrone Brooks Career
College Career at Southern Miss
During the 2020 season, Brooks played in and started all 10 games for Southern Miss, one of only two defensive players on the team to accomplish that feat. He finished the year with 39 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and eight pass breakups, establishing himself as a reliable starter in the Golden Eagles secondary.
As a junior in 2021, Brooks appeared in 11 games and made three starts. He posted 18 total tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception, and a team-leading nine pass breakups, continuing to show growth in coverage. His strong 2022 senior campaign saw him start all 13 games and finish with 30 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. He also contributed 18 punt returns for 222 yards, demonstrating the versatility that would catch the eye of NFL scouts.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023–Present)
On May 15, 2023, Brooks signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career in the NFL. He was waived on August 29, 2023, but was signed to the practice squad the very next day as the organization chose to keep developing him. On September 9, 2023, he was briefly promoted to the active roster before returning to the practice squad two days later.
Brooks rejoined the active roster on January 6, 2024, and signed a reserve/future contract two days later to lock in his place with the team moving forward. Following training camp, he was waived on August 27, 2024, but again landed back on the practice squad the next day. On November 16, 2024, Brooks was promoted back to the active roster, where he continued to contribute on defense and special teams through the rest of the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Brooks relies on quick recognition, fluid hips, and confident tackling in space. His experience as a punt returner at Southern Miss sharpened his field awareness and ball-tracking ability, which translates directly to his work as a kickoff returner in the NFL. He has shown the patience to read routes and the aggression to attack the football, two traits that suit a modern slot cornerback.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of his young career was reaching the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss in 2023. Surviving multiple rounds of cuts between the active roster and the practice squad reflects the persistence that has marked his journey from Starkville High School to the pros.
Natrone Brooks Career Stats and Highlights
Across his college stops at Copiah–Lincoln Community College and Southern Miss, Brooks consistently produced as a tackler and a playmaker in the secondary. He finished his senior season with multiple interceptions and added value as a punt returner, giving Atlanta a versatile option on special teams.
College Highlights
Brooks appeared in 43 games across his three seasons at Southern Miss, recording 87 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, four interceptions, and 21 pass breakups while also contributing 222 punt return yards in his final year. Before that, he tallied 59 tackles and three interceptions over two seasons at Copiah–Lincoln.
Natrone Brooks Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Brooks grew up in Starkville, Mississippi, and remains closely tied to his hometown community. Public information about his parents and immediate family is limited, and he has generally kept that part of his life private as he focuses on his professional football career.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering the 2025 season, Brooks is expected to compete for a spot in the Atlanta Falcons secondary while continuing his role as a kickoff and punt returner. His ability to bounce back from multiple practice-squad moves shows the trust the organization has placed in his development, and he will look to build on his limited regular-season appearances from 2024. With more reps and a full offseason, Brooks has a clear opportunity to carve out a larger role in Atlanta’s defensive backfield and on special teams.