Isaiah Stalbird

Isaiah Stalbird (born July 16, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

Early life Stalbird was born on July 16, 2000, and grew up in Kearney, Nebraska. He attended Kearney High School where he competed in football, soccer and wrestling. He had 393 receiving yards and six touchdowns, 77 tackles, four fumble recoveries, and two interceptions in his last year, being selected first-team All-Nebraska by the Omaha World-Herald and Super-State team by the Lincoln Journal Star.

College career Stalbird redshirted as a true freshman at Nebraska in 2018. After the 2019 season, he transferred to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Initially a safety with the Jackrabbits, he switched to linebacker for the fall 2021 season. He started 14 of 15 games that year and was second on the team with 73 tackles, also being tied for the lead with two forced fumbles. He played a final season for the team in 2023 and won another national championship, ending the 2023 season with 80 tackles, three sacks and five pass breakups. He ended his collegiate career with 238 tackles, 18.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs), 18 pass deflections, and five forced fumbles.

Professional career

After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Stalbird signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was also selected in the 10th round (78th overall) of the 2024 UFL draft by the Michigan Panthers. He was waived by the Saints on August 27, 2024, then re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster on September 14, for the team's Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys, and made his debut in the game, recording one tackle while appearing on 14 special teams snaps. Stalbird was signed to the Saints' active roster on December 28.

In Week 12 of the 2025 season against the Atlanta Falcons, Stalbird recorded his first career sack on Kirk Cousins.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD FF Fum FR Yds TD 2024 NO 5 0 3 1 2 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2025 NO 17 0 25 12 13 2.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0Career 22 0 28 13 15 2.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0