Branden Albert facts for kids
Albert with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010
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| No. 76, 71 | |||||
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | November 4, 1984 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 314 lb (142 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Glen Burnie (MD) | ||||
| College: | Virginia (2005–2007) | ||||
| NFL Draft: | 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||
Branden B. Albert (born November 4, 1984) is a former American football player. He played as an offensive tackle for nine seasons. Branden was part of the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers. The Kansas City Chiefs chose him 15th overall in the 2008 NFL draft. He also played for the Miami Dolphins and was briefly with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Branden Albert announced his retirement from football in 2017.
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Early Life and High School Football
Branden Albert grew up in Rochester, New York. His mother, Susan Albert, sent him to Washington, D.C.. His older brother, Ashley Sims, lived there. Ashley had played football for the Maryland Terrapins.
Branden started playing football as a junior. He attended Glen Burnie High School. He was also a talented basketball player. His basketball team reached the state finals in his last two years.
At first, Branden was not a top-ranked football recruit. He had only played football for one season. The University of Virginia was the only school to offer him a scholarship. They first helped him attend Hargrave Military Academy. This helped him improve his academic standing.
College Football Journey
Branden spent the 2004 season at Hargrave Military Academy. He played football there and worked hard on his studies. He was able to achieve the grades and test scores needed for college. Albert later said that Hargrave and coach Robert Prunty helped him succeed.
Branden Albert started every game during his three years at Virginia. He played in 37 games in total. He mostly played as an offensive guard. He was one of the few freshmen to start on the offensive line at Virginia. As a junior, he earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors.
Becoming a Professional Player
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 5+5⁄8 in (1.97 m) |
309 lb (140 kg) |
35+1⁄2 in (0.90 m) |
10+1⁄2 in (0.27 m) |
5.17 s | 1.77 s | 2.97 s | 4.78 s | 7.97 s | 26 in (0.66 m) |
9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) |
23 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine | ||||||||||||
Playing for the Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs picked Branden Albert in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was the 15th player chosen overall. He was the first guard picked in that draft. He was also the second player from Virginia chosen.
On July 24, 2008, Albert signed a five-year contract with the Chiefs. The team announced he would play as a tackle. He had played guard in college. He missed all four preseason games due to a foot injury.
Despite this, Albert started 15 games at left tackle in 2008. He only missed one game due to an elbow injury. He allowed very few sacks that season. He also had only one penalty called against him.
The 2009 season was a bit challenging for Albert. He had more penalties and allowed more sacks. He missed two games with an ankle injury. However, he finished the season strongly. His coach, Todd Haley, called it an "adjustment period."
Albert played well in 2010 and 2011. He became a key player as the Chiefs' left tackle. He started 15 games in 2010 and all 16 games in 2011.
In 2013, Albert had his best season. He played in 12 games. He was important for the Chiefs' running game. That year, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl.
Time with the Miami Dolphins
On March 11, 2014, Branden Albert signed a five-year contract. He joined the Miami Dolphins. After the 2015 NFL season, Albert was selected for his second Pro Bowl. This showed he was still one of the best players at his position.
Joining the Jacksonville Jaguars
On March 9, 2017, Albert was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was traded for tight end Julius Thomas. However, on July 31, 2017, Albert announced his retirement. He had played nine seasons in the NFL.
He said he was thankful for all the blessings football brought him. He also cherished the relationships he made. After a short time, Albert thought about returning to play. The Jaguars moved him to a special list. On August 11, 2017, he was officially released by the Jaguars.
