Quick Facts
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Brandon Scott Tolbert (born April 6, 1975) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Georgia.
Early years
Tolbert attended Villa Rica High School, where he was a three-year starter at strong safety. He received All-state honors as a senior. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1992 Georgia North-South All-star game.
In baseball, he was a three-year starter and received All-county honors at outfielder as a senior.
College career
Tolbert accepted a football scholarship from the University of Georgia, where he was converted into a linebacker. As a redshirt freshman, he played only on special teams. As a sophomore, he played most of the season behind Randall Godfrey, making 74 tackles (fourth on the team), despite missing two games because of injury. He averaged 10 tackles per game in the last 8 contests, while Godfrey was limited with a pulled hamstring.
As a junior starter at strongside linebacker, he posted 116 tackles (second on the team). He had a career-high 19 tackles against the University of Kentucky and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his 18-tackle performance against Texas Tech University.
As a senior, he was one of the team's captains and registered 67 tackles (third on the team). He also had one interception in the 1998 Outback Bowl. He finished his college career with 270 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Professional career
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tolbert was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round (214th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. He was waived on August 24.
Atlanta Falcons
In 1998, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons to their practice squad. He suffered a pulled hamstring and was released with an injury settlement on September 23.
Dallas Cowboys
On November 24, 1998, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to their practice squad. On December 7, he was promoted to the active roster. He was declared inactive for the final 3 games and the playoffs.
In 1999, he suffered a torn right ACL and was placed on the injured reserve list on August 24. In 2000, he tore his left ACL in the fourth preseason game against the Denver Broncos and was placed on waivers-injured reserve on August 21. He wasn't re-signed after the season.
New Orleans Saints
On June 4, 2001, he was signed as a free agent by the New Orleans Saints. He was released before the start of the season.