Brandon Cleveland
No. 90  Las Vegas Raiders
PositionDefensive tackle
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (2004-08-27) August 27, 2004 (age 21)
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight307 lb (139 kg)
Career information
High schoolCarrollwood Day School
(Tampa, Florida)
CollegeNC State (2022–2025)
NFL draft2026: 7th round, 229th overall pick
Career history
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Brandon Cleveland (born August 27, 2004) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack.

Early life

Cleveland was born on August 27, 2004, and grew up in Tampa, Florida.[1] His father died when he was 10 and he was raised by his single mother.[2] Cleveland's cousin is former NFL player Tyrie Cleveland. He grew up playing football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. Cleveland first attended Seffner Christian Academy, where he played football as a two-way lineman, winning the regional title as a freshman while posting 76 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and 9.5 sacks as a sophomore.[1] Cleveland then transferred to Carrollwood Day School, totaling 46 tackles, 18 TFLs and 11 sacks during the 2020 season.[3] In his last year, 2021, he posted 50 tackles, 26 TFLs and eight sacks.[1] Cleveland was ranked a four-star recruit and initially committed to play college football for the Miami Hurricanes before decommitting.[4] He eventually signed to play for the NC State Wolfpack.[1]

College career

As a true freshman at NC State in 2022, Cleveland appeared in six games and posted seven tackles, one TFL and a half-sack.[1] He then recorded 28 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and three sacks in 2023 while appearing in 13 games, one as a starter.[1] He started all 13 games in 2024 and tallied 36 tackles, 3.5 TFLs and a half-sack.[1] As a senior in 2025, Cleveland started 12 of 13 games and made a career-high seven TFLs and along with 36 tackles and two sacks.[1][5] At the conclusion of his collegiate career, he was invited to the 2026 East–West Shrine Bowl.[6]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Wingspan 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump
6 ft 3 in
(1.91 m)
307 lb
(139 kg)
32+38 in
(0.82 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
6 ft 5+14 in
(1.96 m)
5.12 s 1.78 s 2.94 s 4.91 s 26.5 in
(0.67 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][8]

Cleveland was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round with the 229th overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Brugler, Dane (April 8, 2026). "The Beast: 2026 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic. p. 430.
  2. ^ Layberger, Tom (December 18, 2025). "Tampa Native Bringing The 'Belly Rub' Home For Gasparilla Bowl Finale". Tampa Free Press.
  3. ^ Navarro, Manny (February 17, 2021). "Recruit profile: Miami Hurricanes, four-star DT Brandon Cleveland mean business". The Athletic.
  4. ^ Fowler, Chapel (May 11, 2021). "4-star defensive tackle (and baseball player) locks in visit with N.C. State football". The Fayetteville Observer.
  5. ^ Rupp, Brennen (April 6, 2026). "Unpacking Future Packers: No. 22, NC State DT Brandon Cleveland". USA Today.
  6. ^ Skol Jr., Mark (December 18, 2025). "Tampa native Brandon Cleveland returns to home for final game in Gasparilla Bowl". WTVT.
  7. ^ "Brandon Cleveland Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  8. ^ "Brandon Cleveland College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  9. ^ Edwards, Levi (April 25, 2026). "Raiders select Brandon Cleveland with the No. 229 overall pick". Raiders.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.