Shakel Brown Bio
Shakel Malik Brown (born December 4, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and competing at 295 pounds, Brown plays the edge position and has built a career through both NFL and spring football opportunities since going undrafted in 2023.
A native of Miami, Florida, Brown developed his game at Lincoln High School before moving through the junior college ranks at Itawamba Community College and Highlands Community College. He transferred to Troy University, where his senior season established him as a legitimate professional prospect. Since then, he has worked his way across multiple NFL practice squads and UFL rosters while continuing to chase a stable role in professional football.
Early Life and Background
Shakel Malik Brown was born on December 4, 1998, in Miami, Florida. He grew up in a city with a deep football culture, and the sport quickly became a central part of his youth. From an early age, he showed the size and athleticism that would later define his game as a defensive end.
Brown attended Lincoln High School in Miami, where he lettered in both football and basketball. His multisport background helped him develop the footwork, coordination, and competitive habits that translated well to the defensive line. Playing high school football in South Florida gave him regular exposure to high-level competition, which prepared him for the next stage of his career.
Following his time at Lincoln, Brown opted for the junior college route, signing with Highlands Community College in Kansas on February 1, 2017. He later transferred to Itawamba Community College, where he appeared in eight games and recorded 11 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Those seasons helped him earn the opportunity to play at the NCAA Division I level.
Path to American Football
Brown’s path to the professional ranks was built step by step through smaller programs before reaching a major college stage. After his two junior college stops, he joined the Troy Trojans, where he would spend the final three seasons of his college career and emerge as a disruptive pass rusher.
During the 2020 season, Brown played in nine games and started four of them. He finished the campaign with 12 tackles, seven total pressures, two quarterback hits, five hurries, and a fumble recovery. In 2021, he appeared in seven games and posted 14 tackles, two tackles for loss for five yards, and half a sack.
His senior year in 2022 was the turning point. Brown played in 13 games with five starts and produced 32 tackles, six tackles for loss for 27 yards, four sacks for 24 yards, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. That production drew the attention of NFL scouts and set the stage for his professional career.
Shakel Brown Career
Early Career (2023)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, Shakel Malik Brown signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023. The opportunity gave him his first real look at an NFL training camp and preseason, where he was working to earn a depth role along the defensive line.
His first season with the Titans was cut short. On August 14, 2023, Brown was placed on the injured reserve list after sustaining an ankle injury during a preseason game against the Chicago Bears on August 12. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season, but he remained within the organization as he recovered.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023–2024)
Brown spent his first full professional offseason with the Tennessee Titans in 2024 as he worked his way back from the ankle injury that ended his rookie year. The Titans retained him through the spring, but on May 7, 2024, he was waived by the team, ending his tenure in Tennessee.
Although his time in Tennessee did not produce regular-season game action, the experience gave Brown a full NFL offseason and training camp on his resume. That foundation helped him move quickly to his next opportunity.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2024)
On May 14, 2024, Brown signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He was waived on August 27 as part of the team’s roster trimming, but he was later re-signed to the practice squad, keeping him within the organization.
Brown was released by the 49ers on October 1, 2024. Despite the short stint, his time in San Francisco gave him exposure to one of the league’s top defensive systems and provided another valuable professional experience.
Miami Dolphins and Return to the 49ers (2024–2025)
On October 30, 2024, Brown was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad. The move brought him back closer to his hometown and gave him another chance to develop in a competitive NFL environment.
On August 15, 2025, Brown returned to the San Francisco 49ers, signing with the team for a second stint. He was waived on August 25, 2025, but the quick turnaround from one organization to another showed he was still firmly in demand across the league.
Houston Roughnecks and Birmingham Stallions Era (2025–Present)
On January 14, 2025, Brown signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League, beginning his spring football career. He was released on April 28, 2025, but the UFL experience gave him meaningful in-season reps and visibility.
On October 3, 2025, Brown signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, joining one of the most successful spring football franchises. He is currently a member of the Stallions, where he continues to work on establishing himself as a reliable professional pass rusher.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brown brings a thick, 295-pound frame to the defensive end position, which allows him to hold up against the run while still pursuing the quarterback. His junior college and Troy background shaped him into a player comfortable in physical, trench-style football, and his production of 4.5 career college sacks reflects a developing ability to pressure the passer. He has shown he can fit into multiple defensive schemes, having spent time with the Titans, 49ers, Dolphins, Roughnecks, and now the Stallions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Shakel Brown’s career milestones, going undrafted in 2023 and still carving out a professional path stands out. He has appeared in the preseason programs of multiple NFL teams, including the Titans, 49ers, and Dolphins, and has transitioned to the UFL, where he is now a member of the defending-champion Birmingham Stallions organization. His senior season at Troy, where he posted 32 tackles and four sacks, remains his most productive collegiate year.
Shakel Brown Career Wins
Shakel Brown is still in the early stages of his professional career and has not yet recorded a verified regular-season NFL or UFL win as a starting defensive end. The bulk of his statistical production came during his time at Troy University, where he posted 12 tackles in 2020, 14 in 2021, and a career-best 32 in 2022, along with four sacks as a senior.
UFL Highlights
In the United Football League, Brown has split time between the Houston Roughnecks in early 2025 and the Birmingham Stallions later in 2025. His move to the Stallions placed him on a perennial spring football contender and gave him a platform to keep developing his edge-rushing skills.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the professional ranks, Brown’s strongest performances came at Troy, where his 2022 senior season stood out with six tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His earlier work at Itawamba Community College, where he recorded 11 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, also helped launch his path toward the FBS level.
Shakel Brown Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Shakel Brown’s parents and immediate family have not been publicly verified. What is known is that he grew up in Miami, Florida, and built his early football career in the South Florida football community before moving north to play at Highlands Community College in Kansas and later at Itawamba Community College.
Personal Life
Shakel Brown keeps his personal life private, and there is no verified public information about a spouse or children. He is an American citizen, born and raised in Miami, Florida, and has continued to live and train in the United States throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Shakel Brown as he has moved between the NFL and the United Football League. After a brief second stint with the San Francisco 49ers in August 2025, he signed with the Birmingham Stallions on October 3, 2025, joining a UFL franchise known for sustained success.
Earlier in 2025, Brown spent the spring with the Houston Roughnecks, gaining in-season reps that helped him stay sharp. The move to Birmingham offers him a stronger organizational fit and a chance to compete for a larger role on a championship-caliber roster.
Looking ahead, Brown will be focused on producing consistently at the UFL level, refining his pass-rushing technique, and positioning himself for another opportunity in the NFL. His combination of size, experience across multiple organizations, and productive college tape at Troy makes him a player to watch as he continues his professional journey with the Birmingham Stallions.