J. D. Folsom

John David “J. D.” Folsom is a former American football linebacker. He was born on August 19, 1984, in Salmon, Idaho, where he attended high school and played quarterback and linebacker. He earned second-team All-state honors as a senior. He also participated in rodeo and qualified nationally in team roping.

Folsom served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bolivia. He played football for Snow College and helped the junior college toward an 11-1 record and a no. 2 ranking in the NJCAA. He was also first-team All-WSFL, second-team NJCAA All-American, and first-team NJCAA Academic All-American.

He transferred to Weber State University where he was twice first-team All-Big Sky honors. He also earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology and animal biology.

Folsom was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He was surprised to be drafted and had already been accepted to veterinary school.

He was released from the Dolphins on December 8, 2010, and was a member of the Chicago Bears practice squad from September 6–23, 2010. He signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad on September 29, 2010, and was released on October 11, 2010. After re-signing on December 14, 2010, he was released on July 29, 2011. Finally, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on October 27, 2010, and was released on November 9, 2010.

Folsom graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Health Sciences with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, where he was also a veterinary student researcher. He was an associate veterinarian in Rexburg, Idaho. He is owner of Henry’s Fork Cattle Company. He also owned and operated Folsom Saddle Company.