Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova

JuJu Brents is an American professional football player who plays cornerback for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League (NFL). Born Julius Brents on January 18, 2000, in Indianapolis, Indiana, he played college football at Iowa and Kansas State before being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Beyond his football career, JuJu Brents’ family has played an important role in his personal development and professional ambitions. His parents, Serena Fowlkes and Vontres Brents, supported his journey from youth football to the NFL, while growing up with several siblings helped shape his appreciation for family relationships.
His mother has been particularly influential, raising a large family while navigating the challenges of single parenthood. Her experiences eventually inspired Brents to establish a charitable foundation supporting single parents and their children.
Although Brents has openly discussed his parents and siblings, he has shared considerably less information about his romantic relationships and whether he has children.
JuJu Brents’ Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, JuJu Brents has not publicly confirmed whether he has a girlfriend or is currently in a romantic relationship.
The Miami Dolphins cornerback generally keeps his dating life private. Most of his public interviews have focused on his football career, his family background and his charitable activities in Indianapolis.
There are no sufficiently reliable public reports identifying a current girlfriend or establishing that Brents is married.
His official Miami Dolphins and Kansas State University biographies also do not identify a romantic partner.
Although his personal life may attract interest from football fans, there is no verified information establishing whether he is single or privately dating someone.
Consequently, his current relationship status remains publicly unconfirmed.
JuJu Brents’ Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that JuJu Brents has children.
Neither his official Miami Dolphins player profile nor his publicly available college football biography identifies any sons or daughters.
Brents has also not publicly announced becoming a father in the reliable sources reviewed for this profile.
Although he has established a charitable organization dedicated to helping single parents and their children, that work does not establish whether he has children of his own.
His parental status therefore remains unconfirmed.
JuJu Brents’ Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
JuJu Brents’ parents are Serena Fowlkes and Vontres Brents, according to his official Kansas State University football biography.
Both parents have been publicly associated with his athletic development, although his mother has received particular attention because of her experiences raising children as a single parent.
Brents grew up on the east side of Indianapolis, where he developed a passion for football and became a lifelong supporter of the Indianapolis Colts.
JuJu Brents’ Mother: Serena Fowlkes
JuJu Brents’ mother is Serena Fowlkes, who has been one of the most influential figures in his life.
She raised a large family in Indianapolis while facing the financial and emotional challenges associated with single parenthood.
In a December 2024 interview with WRTV, Brents discussed how watching his mother’s daily struggles helped him develop perseverance and a determination to succeed.
He explained that her experiences taught him the importance of continuing to work toward his goals despite difficult circumstances.
Serena’s influence began long before her son entered professional football.
During childhood, Brents frequently told his mother that he wanted to become an NFL player.
Rather than discouraging those ambitions, she consistently supported his dreams.
In an August 2023 interview with Towne Post Network, Brents recalled how his mother believed in his ability to reach the NFL from an early age.
He described her encouragement as an important part of his journey from youth football to the Indianapolis Colts.
Serena also gave her son the nickname “JuJu.”
During an October 2026 interview with WPTV, Brents explained that his mother began calling him JuJu when he was a child.
The nickname became so familiar that many people did not realize his actual first name was Julius.
Her support remained important as he progressed through high school and college football.
When the Colts selected Brents in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Serena was among the family members celebrating his achievement.
After joining the Colts, Brents frequently discussed the emotional significance of being able to play professionally in his hometown while remaining close to his mother.
In 2024, Serena and JuJu became involved in establishing the JuJu Brents & Folks Foundation, which provides support to single-parent families.
The initiative was directly inspired by their experiences and their desire to help other families facing similar difficulties.
In July 2025, Serena participated in a community event organized through the foundation, helping distribute school supplies to children in Indianapolis.
Her involvement demonstrates that the bond between mother and son extends beyond football into community service.
JuJu Brents’ Father: Vontres Brents
JuJu Brents’ father is Vontres Brents, whose identity is confirmed in his official Kansas State University football biography.
Although Vontres maintains a relatively private public profile, he has supported his son’s professional football journey.
His presence was documented during JuJu’s first preseason appearance at Lucas Oil Stadium as an Indianapolis Colts player.
On August 19, 2023, Brents participated in a preseason game against the Chicago Bears.
According to an article published by the Indianapolis Colts, his father, stepmother and two sisters attended the game.
The occasion was particularly meaningful because Brents had grown up attending Colts games as a fan.
Walking onto the same field where he once watched his childhood football heroes represented the fulfillment of a longstanding ambition.
Having his father and other family members in attendance made the experience even more special.
Although Vontres’ identity and attendance are publicly documented, reliable reporting provides limited information about his occupation, education and personal background.
The Colts’ reporting also confirms that Brents has a stepmother, although her name has not been reliably established in the sources reviewed.
JuJu Brents’ Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
JuJu Brents grew up in a large family with several siblings.
His mother, Serena Fowlkes, has publicly discussed raising multiple children as a single parent.
In December 2024, WRTV reported that Brents was one of five children raised by Serena.
However, a July 2025 report from The Statehouse File quoted Serena describing herself as a single mother of six.
Because these reports differ on the number of children, the exact total should not be presented as definitively established.
What is confirmed is that Brents has at least two sisters, both of whom attended one of his early NFL games.
JuJu Brents’ Sisters
JuJu Brents has at least two publicly confirmed sisters.
Their relationship was documented in an August 2023 article published by the Indianapolis Colts.
According to the team’s official website, two of Brents’ sisters attended his preseason debut at Lucas Oil Stadium alongside his father and stepmother.
The game represented an important family milestone because JuJu had grown up supporting the Colts.
Seeing him take the field as a professional player allowed his sisters to celebrate an achievement he had dreamed about since childhood.
Brents expressed strong emotions about the occasion, describing how meaningful it was to return to the stadium as a member of the team.
Although his sisters’ attendance is confirmed, their names, ages, occupations and personal backgrounds have not been reliably established in mainstream public reporting.
Consequently, those details should remain unconfirmed rather than being attributed to individuals without credible evidence.
Does JuJu Brents Have Brothers?
As of now, there is insufficient verified public information identifying JuJu Brents’ brothers by name.
His mother’s accounts establish that he grew up in a large family, but available interviews and official player biographies do not provide a complete list of his siblings.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to identify particular individuals as his brothers or establish how many brothers he has without additional reliable evidence.
JuJu Brents’ Childhood and Family Background
JuJu Brents was born on January 18, 2000, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He grew up on the city’s east side, where American football became one of his greatest interests.
As a child, Brents regularly watched the Indianapolis Colts and admired several of the team’s most prominent players.
His favorite childhood football heroes included quarterback Peyton Manning and defensive back Bob Sanders.
Because Brents played defense, Sanders became a particularly important example of the type of player he wanted to become.
Brents attended Warren Central High School, one of Indiana’s established high school football programs.
He developed into a talented defensive back and attracted scholarship offers from several major college football programs.
Despite experiencing injuries during high school, he remained committed to pursuing a college football career.
His mother’s encouragement helped reinforce his determination to continue improving.
After graduating from Warren Central, Brents joined the University of Iowa, where he began his college football career in 2018.
How JuJu Brents’ Family Influenced His Football Career
JuJu Brents’ progression from Warren Central High School to the NFL reflects years of perseverance and family support.
His mother encouraged his football ambitions from childhood, while his father and siblings celebrated important milestones throughout his development.
Brents initially played college football at Iowa, where he competed for three seasons between 2018 and 2020.
During his freshman season, he appeared in 11 games and made five starts, recording 13 tackles and an interception.
Injuries complicated parts of his college career, but he continued pursuing opportunities to develop as a defensive player.
He transferred to Kansas State University ahead of the 2021 season.
The move allowed him to become a regular starter and establish himself as one of the Big 12 Conference’s leading cornerbacks.
During the 2022 season, Brents recorded 45 tackles, four interceptions and eight passes defended.
He earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition from the conference’s coaches.
His college performances attracted considerable attention ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.
When the Indianapolis Colts selected him with the 44th overall pick, Brents achieved the unusual distinction of joining the NFL team he had supported throughout childhood.
He celebrated the draft with family and friends at a gathering in Westfield, Indiana.
His professional journey later included injury-related setbacks, but Brents continued emphasizing resilience and determination.
After two seasons with Indianapolis, he joined the Miami Dolphins in August 2025.
As of now, he remains a member of Miami’s defensive backfield.
JuJu Brents’ Family and His Charitable Foundation
One of the most significant ways JuJu Brents has honored his family background is through the JuJu Brents & Folks Foundation.
The charitable organization was established in 2024 with the goal of supporting single parents and their children in Central Indiana.
Its mission focuses on providing financial assistance, educational opportunities, guidance and encouragement to families experiencing economic challenges.
Brents has explained that his mother’s experiences inspired the initiative.
Watching Serena raise children while balancing financial responsibilities helped him understand the pressures faced by single-parent households.
He wanted to use his NFL platform to provide resources for families dealing with similar circumstances.
The Brents & Folks Gala
On December 10, 2024, Brents hosted the inaugural Brents & Folks Gala at the Hawthorns Golf and Country Club in Fishers, Indiana.
The fundraising event brought together members of the football community, supporters and local organizations.
According to the Indianapolis Recorder, the event included fundraising auctions, a dinner and opportunities for guests to meet Brents.
The proceeds supported the foundation’s mission of helping single-parent families.
At the time, Brents was recovering from a knee injury that had sidelined him during much of the NFL season.
Despite the setback, he decided to continue organizing the event.
In a December 2024 interview with the Indianapolis Colts, Brents explained that his injury helped him realize he could still make a positive difference in the community even when he was unable to play football.
His decision demonstrated how his mother’s experiences had influenced his commitment to helping others.
Community Support and School Supplies
The foundation also participated in charitable activities supporting children in Indianapolis.
In July 2025, Brents and his mother helped sponsor a community event at New Beginnings Fellowship Church.
The event included a backpack giveaway, school supplies, food and recreational activities for children.
It was held close to Warren Central High School, where Brents had played football before entering college.
Serena spoke about her own experiences as a single mother and the importance of helping parents who lack financial resources or family support.
The event demonstrated how Brents and his mother continued working together to support the community that helped shape his childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About JuJu Brents’ Family
Who is JuJu Brents’ girlfriend?
As of now, JuJu Brents has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. His current romantic relationship status remains unconfirmed.
Is JuJu Brents married?
There is no sufficiently verified public information establishing that the Miami Dolphins cornerback is married.
Does JuJu Brents have children?
There are no verified public reports confirming that JuJu Brents has children.
Who is JuJu Brents’ mother?
His mother is Serena Fowlkes, who raised a large family in Indianapolis and helped establish the JuJu Brents & Folks Foundation.
Who is JuJu Brents’ father?
His father is Vontres Brents, whose identity is confirmed in the official Kansas State University football biography.
Does JuJu Brents have a stepmother?
Yes. The Indianapolis Colts confirmed that his stepmother attended his preseason game against the Chicago Bears in August 2023. Her name has not been reliably established.
Does JuJu Brents have siblings?
Yes. JuJu Brents grew up in a large family and has at least two confirmed sisters. Public reports differ on the exact number of children raised by his mother.
Who are JuJu Brents’ sisters?
Two of his sisters attended his 2023 preseason appearance at Lucas Oil Stadium. However, their names have not been established in reliable public reporting.
What is JuJu Brents’ real name?
His real name is Julius Brents. He explained in an October 2026 interview that his mother gave him the nickname JuJu during childhood.
Where is JuJu Brents from?
JuJu Brents was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended Warren Central High School.
How old is JuJu Brents?
JuJu Brents was born on January 18, 2000, making him 26 years old as of now.
Which NFL team does JuJu Brents play for?
JuJu Brents plays cornerback for the Miami Dolphins. He joined the team in August 2025 after beginning his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts.
What is the JuJu Brents & Folks Foundation?
The JuJu Brents & Folks Foundation is a charitable organization established in 2024 to provide financial support, educational resources and guidance to single parents and their children.

Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
