Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 1 game
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | L 7-33@ North Dakota State | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 2 tackles |
| Total | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
#36
Brayden Matthews
Freshman linebacker for Jacksonville State. 2026: 1 game with a box-score line.
6′1″ · 210 lb · Atlanta, GA · McEachern HS
Returning to Jacksonville State for 2026
The numbers
2
tackles · 2026
1 game into 2026 so far -- Best game: 2 tackles, at North Dakota State
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
1 linebacker for Jacksonville State. 2026: 1 game with a box-score line.
- Signed as a 3-star recruit to Jacksonville State in 2026.
Brayden Matthews
The receipt on tape: 2 tackles against North Dakota State, Week 1, 2026.
2 TACKLES · 0 SACKS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- season totals
- game log
His career
2026
- Signed with Jacksonville State3-star out of McEachern
Career arc
HS
Recruit
★★★
CFB
College
Jacksonville State
NFL
NFL Draft
—
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2026Jacksonville State1-2HC: Charles Kelly · Run-leaning, slow tempo
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Concern: tackles (0th percentile).
Box-score production (6)
Percentiles are versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score production. There are no play-by-play efficiency bars here: CFBD's play-value model credits offensive players only, so no defensive EPA exists to rank.
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 1 game: 2.0 TKL/g, 0.0 TFL/g, 0.0 SACK/g, 0.0 PD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Charles Kelly
Pass share
43.2%
79 pass / 104 run
Plays / game
61.0
3 games
Team sack rate
4.5%
88 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning, slow tempo.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Career stats
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Jacksonville State | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| Career | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
Game log
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Jacksonville State
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Linebacker · Jacksonville State
Returning around him
- Transfer portal: +7 net (21 in / 14 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Jacksonville State · Last season: 9-5 · Talent rank #93 · 2026 recruiting class #86
Background
HIGH SCHOOL: Finished his senior season with a 10-1 record at McEachern High School in McEachern, Ga., earning the 6A Region 3 championship with a 7-0 region record. Two-time First Team All-Region, All-State, and team defensive player of the year. Helped his team win the Corky Kell at Mercedes Be...
The linebacker corps · Jacksonville State
- #59Mac Sanders83 tackles · 2025
- #40Walker O'Steen78 tackles · 2025
- Myles Butler19 tackles · 2025
- #13Jacob Cruz14 tackles · 2025
- #36Brayden Matthews1 game · 2026
13 more on the roster · Jacksonville State team page
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology