Branson Combs makes NFL debut

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football alum Branson Combs (2019-23) made his National Football League debut on Sunday morning for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The first-year linebacker played on all four special teams units in the game versus the Los Angeles Rams in London, becoming the 44th player in Southern Illinois history to play in the NFL.

An Evansville native, Combs began his career at wide receiver at SIU. As a redshirt freshman during the COVID season, he caught the game-winning touchdown at Weber State — a leaping, 8-yard reception in the right corner of the end zone with 0:51 remaining.

Combs moved to linebacker in the fall of 2021, where he played 35-straight games for the Salukis. He totaled 177 career tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 4.5 sacks, while earning all-conference honors in both 2022 and 2023.

In addition to his game-winning catch at Weber State, Combs contributed some of the biggest defensive plays in the biggest wins in Saluki history.

In 2021 at No. 2 South Dakota State, he broke up a pass in the end zone on a two-point conversion in overtime to preserve a 42-41 SIU victory.

In 2022, he had five tackles, plus a clutch interception that helped Southern upset Northwestern.

In 2023, he recorded an interception in the playoff win over Nicholls, the first playoff win in Saluki Stadium history.

Combs played his final year of eligibility at Wake Forest in 2024 and was signed by the Jaguars as a free agent last spring. He was initially signed to the team’s practice squad, before being activated yesterday.