Background
Tomlinson was born in Jamaica and moved to Chicago, Illinois in March of 2003.
Tomlinson was born in Jamaica and moved to Chicago, Illinois in March of 2003.
He attended Lane Technical College Preparatory High School in Chicago, where he was a two-sport star in both football and track.
He played college football at Duke. He was an All-state selection as a senior by both the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Chicago Tribune. He was named the team Most Valuable Player as a senior.
He was a two-time All-city pick.
He was also a four-time first team All-conference selection. He helped Lane to the 2008 Chicago Public League football championship.
Tomlinson also lettered in track & field at Lane. At the 2009 Chicago Public League T&F Championship, he placed first in the discus (140-06 or 429m) and second in the shot put.
In the 2009 Illinois 3A State T&F Championship meet, he threw personal-bests of 43.01 meters (141-1) in the discus throw and 14.58 meters (47-7) in the shot put to place 17th and 22nd, respectively, in the preliminary heats.
Tomlinson attended Duke University from 2011 to 2014. He became a starter his freshman season and started 52 games during his career. As a senior he was named an All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF).
Detroit Lions
Tomlinson was drafted 28th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2015 NFL Draft.
He was the first Duke player to be selected in the first round of an NFL draft since Mike Junkin in 1987.