Jordon Riley Bio
Jordon Riley is an American professional football defensive tackle who plays in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 19, 1998, in New Bern, North Carolina, he currently plays at the nose tackle position for the Green Bay Packers. Standing 6 ft 5 in and listed at 338 lb, Riley developed into a professional prospect after a winding college career that touched four different programs.
After being selected by the New York Giants with the 243rd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft, Riley contributed to the team’s defensive line for two seasons before transitioning to the Green Bay Packers in 2025. His career has been defined by persistence through multiple transfers, a strong academic record, and steady development at the line of scrimmage.
Early Life and Background
Jordon Riley was born on May 19, 1998, in New Bern, North Carolina, and was raised in nearby Durham. He attended Riverside High School in Durham, where he developed into a promising defensive lineman. Coming out of high school, Riley was rated a three-star recruit and was ranked as the 13th-best player in the state of North Carolina by 247Sports, drawing attention from several college programs across the country.
Riley ultimately chose to commit to the University of North Carolina, turning down other scholarship offers to play for the in-state Tar Heels. His size and quickness off the line made him a projectable interior defensive lineman, and his path from a multi-sport high school athlete in Durham to a Power Five recruit foreshadowed a college career that would eventually require patience and adaptability. Riley has been noted for his work in the classroom as well, a quality that would later earn him academic recognition at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Jordon Riley’s path to the NFL was unconventional, built across four different college programs over six seasons. He began his career with the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2017, appearing in five games as a true freshman and recording six tackles. The following year, he redshirted, preserving a year of eligibility while continuing to develop his frame and technique on the practice field.
Seeking a fresh start and a heavier role, Riley transferred to Garden City Community College in 2019, where he played for the Broncbusters. In his only season there, he appeared in nine games and posted 26 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and two sacks, establishing himself as a force on the interior line. He then moved on to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, playing six games during the 2020 season, and followed that with a 2021 campaign in which he appeared in 10 games, tallied seven tackles with one tackle-for-loss, and earned a spot on the conference all-academic team.
Jordon Riley Career
Early Career (2017–2022)
Jordon Riley’s early football career spanned four college programs, giving him a broad range of experience against differing schemes and levels of competition. His first taste of action came with the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he played five games in 2017 and recorded six tackles. A redshirt year followed, after which he took the junior college route at Garden City, where his production jumped significantly, and he proved he could handle a full-time role in the trenches.
At Nebraska, Riley split time across two seasons, contributing on defense while maintaining strong academic standing. He wrapped up his college career with the Oregon Ducks in 2022, transferring in search of more playing time. With Oregon, he started all 13 games and tallied 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a pass breakup, and a half-sack, giving him the senior tape he needed to attract NFL interest.
New York Giants Era (2023–2025)
Jordon Riley was selected by the New York Giants in the seventh round, 243rd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in eight games for the Giants and made eight total tackles, four of which were solo stops, while serving in a rotational role along the defensive line. He spent his first two professional seasons learning the speed and complexity of the pro game while adding strength to his already sizable frame.
On August 26, 2025, Riley was waived by the Giants as part of final roster cuts, then re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. He remained with the organization in that capacity until early December, when a new opportunity arose.
Green Bay Packers Era (2025–Present)
On December 3, 2025, Jordon Riley was signed by the Green Bay Packers off of the New York Giants’ practice squad, joining a defensive line that needed reinforcement late in the season. In four appearances for the Packers, he recorded two combined tackles while adjusting to Green Bay’s scheme and the league’s late-season pace.
During a Week 17 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, Riley departed the game due to an Achilles injury. He was subsequently placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 30, 2025, closing out his first year in Green Bay on the sidelines as he began recovery.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jordon Riley’s career came when he was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft, validating a winding college journey that included four programs. His late-season call-up by the Green Bay Packers in December 2025 represented another significant milestone, giving him a fresh start with a contender before his injury cut the campaign short.
Jordon Riley Career Wins
Jordon Riley’s professional resume is still in its early stages, with his win totals primarily tied to team success rather than individual postseason hardware. As a rotational defensive lineman, he has contributed tackles and interior pressure while continuing to develop as a pass rusher. The 2023 New York Giants and the 2025 Green Bay Packers seasons form the backbone of his current NFL track record.
Team Highlights
During his time with the New York Giants from 2023 to 2025, Riley appeared in eight games as a rookie and continued to be a depth piece along the defensive front. His transition to the Green Bay Packers in December 2025 added a brief four-game chapter to his career before an Achilles injury cut the season short and sent him to injured reserve.
Other Performances
Across his college stops at North Carolina, Garden City Community College, Nebraska, and Oregon, Riley built a steady record of production, peaking with 26 tackles and two sacks at Garden City in 2019 and a 13-game starting campaign with the Oregon Ducks in 2022. These seasons laid the foundation for his eventual selection in the 2023 NFL draft.
Jordon Riley Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jordon Riley was raised in Durham, North Carolina, after being born in nearby New Bern. Detailed information about his parents and immediate family has not been publicly confirmed, and limited public records are available regarding his relatives. Riley’s collegiate academic honors, including a conference all-academic team selection at Nebraska in 2021, suggest a strong emphasis on education within his upbringing.
Off the field, Riley is known primarily through his on-field accomplishments rather than a public personal life. His multi-state college journey and willingness to move between programs reflect a flexible, resilient approach shaped by his background in North Carolina.
2025 Season Performance
Jordon Riley’s 2025 season was one of transition, beginning with the New York Giants and ending with the Green Bay Packers. After being waived and re-signed to the Giants’ practice squad in late August, he waited for an opportunity that arrived in early December, when Green Bay signed him off the practice squad to bolster its defensive front.
In four appearances with the Packers, Riley posted two combined tackles as he worked to fit into a new defensive scheme late in the year. The 2025 campaign was cut short in Week 17, when he suffered an Achilles injury against the Baltimore Ravens and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 30, 2025.
Looking ahead, Riley’s focus will be on recovery, rehabilitation, and earning a role within the Green Bay Packers’ defensive line rotation. His 2025 totals, including 22 career NFL tackles, provide a baseline from which he can build once he returns to full health.