Atlanta Falcons land versatile defender Kendal Daniels from the Oklahoma Sooners' Football squad, a player who transitioned from safety to linebacker, showcasing impressive skills and a relentless motor
On Saturday, the Atlanta Falcons selected linebacker former Oklahoma and Oklahoma State linebacker Kendal Daniels with the 134th overall pick in the forth round of 2026 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-5, 242-pound defender from Beggs, Oklahoma, who spent his first four college seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring to OU for his final year, now heads to the NFL as the latest Okie to make the leap.
Daniels’ story is one of perseverance and positional evolution.
A four-star recruit out of Beggs High School, he arrived at Oklahoma State in 2021 and quickly made an impact. He earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2022 after posting 71 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions as a safety.
By 2023, he started all 14 games and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition with 105 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and two interceptions. In 2024, he transitioned more toward linebacker, recording 64 tackles, 10.5 TFL, and 5.5 sacks while showing edge-rushing ability.
After four productive seasons in Stillwater, Daniels entered the transfer portal and chose Oklahoma ahead of the 2025 season.
Daniels thrived in Norman. He started all 13 games at the versatile “Cheetah” position, a hybrid linebacker-safety-rusher role that showcased his rare size and athleticism.
He finished with 53 tackles (28 solo), 9.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and consistent contributions against SEC competition.
His ability to drop into coverage, blitz off the edge, and stuff the run made him a valuable chess piece in Venables’ defense.
From an Oklahoma perspective, Daniels’ one-year stop in Norman was a perfect fit.
A native Oklahoman, he embraced the crimson culture immediately. Fans appreciated his high-motor play and leadership, especially as he helped anchor a young defensive unit through a demanding SEC schedule.
His length, speed (he ran a reported 4.76 40-yard dash), and instincts allowed him to match up against tight ends and running backs alike, traits that translate well to the next level.
Scouts have noted his Fred Warner-like frame and range, though they point to areas for growth in instincts and consistent tackling technique.
The Falcons, rebuilding their defense under new leadership, get a versatile hybrid defender who can contribute on special teams immediately while developing into a sub-package weapon or even a starting linebacker.
At 6-5 and 242 pounds, Daniels brings the size to handle in-line tight ends and the athleticism to cover ground sideline-to-sideline. His experience playing multiple positions across two different programs gives him a football IQ that should help him adapt quickly to Atlanta’s scheme.
From his roots in small-town Beggs to the Big 12 battles at Oklahoma State and the SEC wars in Norman, he’s proven time and again that hard work and adaptability pay off.
Atlanta is getting a high-character, multi-tool linebacker ready to make an impact.
Daniels is the fourth Sooner selected in this year's draft, with Gracen Halton going to the 49ers, Febechi Nwaiwu going to the Texans, and R Mason Thomas headed to the Chiefs.