Brandin Echols

Brandin Echols (born October 16, 1997) is an American professional football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Northwest Mississippi Community College and Kentucky and was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

College career Echols played college football at Northwest Mississippi in 2017 and 2018. He began his college career as a wide receiver and switched to defensive back as a freshman. In 2018, he was named second-team NJCAA All-American.

Echols was ranked as a threestar recruit by 247Sports.com coming out of junior college. He committed to Kentucky on September 23, 2018, playing for Kentucky in 2019 and 2020. In the 2021 Gator Bowl, Echols recorded his first interception for Kentucky.

Professional career

New York Jets Echols was drafted by the New York Jets with the 200th pick in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft. On May 7, 2021, Echols officially signed with the Jets.

Echols was named a starting cornerback to begin his rookie season in 2021. He started the first nine games before suffering a thigh injury in Week 10. On November 16, 2021, he was placed on injured reserve. He was activated on December 11.

In 2022, Echols played in 13 games for the Jets, tallying 8 total tackles. His season ended after he was placed on injured reserve on January 7, 2023.

On May 25, 2023, Echols was suspended one game by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The suspension stemmed from a 2022 high-speed car crash Echols was involved in.

Pittsburgh Steelers On March 13, 2025, Echols signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Personal life On April 22, 2022, Echols was involved in a two-car crash in Florham Park, New Jersey that resulted in the partial paralyzation of the other driver. Echols had been traveling 84 mph in a 50 mph zone before making contact with the other vehicle. In January 2023, Echols was charged with fourth-degree assault by auto, and was summoned for reckless driving, speeding, failure to wear a seat belt, an unsafe lane change, and improper passing. On March 10, he was accepted into a diversionary program to avoid the charges.