Devon Key Bio
Devon Key (born October 28, 1997) is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2021 NFL draft. Key has established himself as a valuable player in the NFL, showcasing his skills on the field since starting his professional career in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Devon Key was born on October 28, 1997, in Lexington, Kentucky. He attended Bryan Station High School, where he played on both offense and defense. Key was rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, 247sports.com, and Scout.com. After his senior year of high school, he accepted a scholarship offer from Western Kentucky University, spending his first year of 2016 as a redshirt. As a redshirt-freshman, Key started as safety at the beginning of the season, making 94 tackles (44 solo, 50 assisted), ranking second on his team and 16th in the conference. He recorded at least nine tackles in five different games and made his first career interception in the end zone on November 11 against Marshall. He had a career-high 12 tackles on September 9 at Illinois. Key continued to excel in his college career, starting all 12 games as a sophomore and compiling 71 tackles, leading the team’s defensive backs. He also recorded a team-leading three interceptions, including a 45-yard touchdown return against Maine.
Path to American Football
Key started 13 games as a junior, making 93 tackles, which was third on the team. He recorded his second career interception return touchdown against Arkansas in November and was again named All-Conference USA honorable mention. In his senior season, he started every game and broke the FBS-era team record for career tackles, finishing with 350 total tackles. He concluded the year with 92 tackles and was named second-team All-Conference USA.
Devon Key Career
Early Career (2021)
After going unselected in the 2021 NFL draft, Key was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. He was released during roster cuts but signed to the practice squad the next day. Key signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs on February 2, 2022. However, on August 30, 2022, he was waived by the Chiefs.
Breakthrough (2022-Present)
On November 15, 2022, Key was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad but was released a week later. Subsequently, on December 20, 2022, he was signed to the Denver Broncos’ practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023. Key made the Broncos’ 53-man roster to start the 2024 season, playing in his first NFL game in week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. He made his first career start in week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens, filling in for an injured player. Serving as the Broncos’ second-string free safety and a core special teamer, Key recorded 33 tackles and a sack during the season. On March 4, 2025, the Broncos assigned his exclusive-rights free agent tender, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Devon Key has demonstrated his potential as a reliable safety and special teamer. His performance in the 2024 season marked a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his ability to contribute effectively to the team.
Devon Key Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Devon Key has not received any notable award nominations.
Devon Key Awards Won
Devon Key has not won any awards during his professional football career.
Devon Key Family
Devon Key’s father, Donte, played for the University of Kentucky. His younger brother, Dane, formerly played as a wide receiver at the University of Kentucky.
Personal Life
Devon Key and his girlfriend welcomed their first child in August 2020 and have since had another child. Key maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing primarily on his professional career.
