Speaks attended
Callaway High School in
Jackson, Mississippi. During his senior season in 2013, Speaks had 118
tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, nine
sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, four forced
fumbles, three blocked kicks, five pass breakups and an
interception returned for a
touchdown.[1] A consensus 4-star recruit, Speaks committed to play
college football for the
Ole Miss Rebels in October 2013, choosing them over Mississippi State, Arkansas and Florida State among others.[2]
College career
Speaks
redshirted in the 2014 season.[3] As a redshirt freshman in 2015, Speaks played in every game of the season, starting two. He totaled 32 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.[4]
In 2016, as a redshirt sophomore, Speaks had 28 tackles (11 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.[5]
Speaks was selected by the
Kansas City Chiefs in the second round (46th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.[10] He played in all 16 games as a rookie with four starts, recording 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks.[11]
On August 31, 2019, Speaks was placed on
injured reserve.[12] On December 6, 2019, while on injured reserve, he was suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.[13] He was reinstated from suspension on December 30, and placed back on the injured reserve list. Without Speaks, the Chiefs won
Super Bowl LIV against the
San Francisco 49ers.[14]
Speaks was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020.[15]
On November 17, 2020, Speaks was signed to the
Dallas Cowboys practice squad.[18] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.[19]
New York Giants
On January 21, 2021, Speaks signed a reserve/futures contract with the
New York Giants.[20] He was waived on May 13, 2021.[21]
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)
On September 1, 2021, Speaks was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.[22] He was released on December 6, 2021.[23]
Buffalo Bills
On December 22, 2021, Speaks was signed to the
Buffalo Bills practice squad, but was released five days later.[24][25]
Michigan Panthers
On December 22, 2022, Speaks signed with the
Michigan Panthers of the
United States Football League (USFL).[26] In his Panthers debut, Speaks produced three sacks, seven combined tackles, and one forced fumble.[27] He was released from his contract on August 10, 2023, to sign with an NFL team.[28]
San Francisco 49ers
Speaks signed with the 49ers on a one-year contract on August 11, 2023.[29] He was waived on August 27, 2023.[30]
Michigan Panthers (second stint)
On December 19, 2023, Speaks re-signed with the Panthers.[31]