| Brenden Schooler | |
| Number: | 41 |
| Position: | Safety Special teamer |
| High School: | Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, California) |
| College: | Oregon (2016–2019) Texas (2020–2021) |
| Undraftedyear: | 2022 |
| Current Team: | New England Patriots |
| Birth Place: | Dana Point, California, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 2 |
| Weight Lbs: | 210 |
| Birth Date: | May 30, 1997 |
| Pastteams: |
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| Highlights: |
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| Statweek: | 8 |
| Statseason: | 2024 |
| Statlabel1: | Total tackles |
| Statvalue1: | 32 |
| Statlabel2: | Sacks |
| Statlabel3: | Pass deflections |
| Statlabel4: | Interceptions |
| Statlabel5: | Forced fumbles |
| Statlabel6: | Fumble recoveries |
| Statvalue6: | 4 |
| Statlabel7: | Defensive touchdowns |
| Status: | Active |
| Pfr: | SchoBr00 |
Brenden Schooler (born May 30, 1997) is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Patriots in 2022.[1] Schooler played college football for the Oregon Ducks and Texas Longhorns, where he was both a safety and wide receiver.
Schooler played for four years at Oregon, from 2016 to 2019, where he played both safety and wide receiver. In 2020 he briefly transferred to Arizona, but left after the 2020 Pac-12 football season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, transferring to Texas, where he played in 2020 and 2021.[2]
At his pro day in Texas, Schooler ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.71 seconds. After going undrafted, Schooler was signed by the New England Patriots in May 2022 to a three-year contract, the standard for undrafted rookies, including a $15,000 signing bonus.[3]
Schooler was one of two undrafted rookies to make the 2022 team, extending the Patriots' streak of undrafted free agents making the team to 19 seasons.[4]
In the Patriots' Week 2 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Schooler recovered a muffed punt by former Patriots All-Pro Gunner Olszewski, after the Steelers had only 10 men on the field for the play.[5] The Patriots scored the winning touchdown on the subsequent drive.[6] Schooler recovered a second muff in the Patriots' Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns; a viral video showed him trying to present the ball to head coach Bill Belichick during the game.[7] Schooler also recovered a punt blocked by Jonathan Jones in the Patriots' win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.[8] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[9]
Schooler was one of two special teamers selected for the NFLPA All Pro team for the 2023-2024 season by his fellow players.
On October 11, 2024, Schooler and the Patriots agreed to a three–year, $9 million contract extension.[10] In the Patriots' Week 10 win over the Chicago Bears, Schooler recorded his first sack at any level of competition against Caleb Williams. He played five snaps in a defensive package known as the "Longhorn" package, spying on Williams on third down.[11]