A Strategic Addition to the Defensive Scheme
Jackson State University announced this week that Breeland Speaks, a Jackson native and former Ole Miss standout, has been appointed as a defensive assistant and outside linebackers coach. The move brings a Super Bowl pedigree and recent United Football League experience to the Tigers' revamped defensive staff.
Speaks arrives after a professional career that began with a second‑round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was a key contributor to the Chiefs' 2019 championship roster, rotating on the defensive line and showcasing versatility across the front.
After his NFL stint, Speaks spent a season in the United Football League before retiring earlier this summer. At Ole Miss, he recorded 15 tackles for loss, nine sacks and 127 total tackles over three seasons, earning a reputation as a disruptive pass rusher.
Home‑State Roots and Coaching Vision
T.C. Taylor, the head coach of Jackson State, emphasized the strategic value of Speaks' hire, noting that his familiarity with the local football culture and his experience at both the collegiate and professional levels align with the program's ambitions.
Taylor highlighted Speaks' deep connections to Jackson, where he graduated from Callaway High School, and expressed confidence that the former Rebel will help develop the next generation of defensive talent on and off the field.