Laken Tomlinson is a Jamaican-born American professional American football offensive guard for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Duke. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Born on February 9, 1992, Tomlinson experienced childhood in the Rogers Park area and went to Lane Technical College Prep High School, where he was a two-sport star in both football and track.
He was an All-state determination as a senior by both the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Chicago Tribune. He was named the group MVP as a senior. He was a two-time All-city choice. He was additionally a four-time first group All-meeting selection.
Laken Tomlinson career history
Laken Tomlinson kick-started his football career during his college days where he played for Duke University and became a starter his freshman season and started 52 games during his collegiate career.
As a senior, he was named an All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF). He was named the men’s ACC Athlete of the Year by winning the Anthony J. McKevlin Award in 2015.
After college, the Detroit Lions drafted Laken Tomlinson in the first round with the 28th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. He left the team in 2016.
Tomlinson got drafted by the San Francisco 49ers on August 31, 2017, for a 2019 fifth-round draft pick. He missed the season opener and started the next 15 games at left guard in 2017. On May 2, 2018, the 49ers declined the fifth-year option on Tomlinson’s contract, making him a free agent in 2019.
However, on June 22, 2018, Tomlinson signed a three-year, $18 million extension with the 49ers with $10 million guaranteed.
