Joshua Kelley Bio
Joshua Tyler Kelley is an American professional football running back currently playing for the Tennessee Titans in the National Football League (NFL). He began his college football career with the University of California, Davis, before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he excelled. Kelley rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons with the Bruins, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019. He was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has also played for the New York Giants.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Tyler Kelley was born on November 20, 1997, in Inglewood, California. He was raised by his mother, Jacqueline, a speech pathologist, who raised him and his older brother, Daniel, as a single parent. Growing up in Lancaster, California, Kelley developed a passion for football and was a fan of UCLA, influenced by family connections to the university. He attended Eastside High School, where he had a standout football career, rushing for 1,903 yards and 22 touchdowns in his final two seasons. His performance earned him first-team all-conference honors and recognition as the conference’s running back of the year.
Path to American Football
Kelley began his college football career at the University of California, Davis, where he faced challenges, including injuries and competition for playing time. Despite being a two-star recruit and ranked as the No. 232 running back in the class of 2015, he persevered and ended his time at UC Davis with 1,139 rushing yards and seven touchdowns over two seasons. After transferring to UCLA, Kelley became a key player for the Bruins, earning a scholarship and establishing himself as one of the top running backs in the nation. His breakout performances included a remarkable game against USC, where he rushed for a career-high 289 yards, setting a record for the most rushing yards in the history of the rivalry.
Joshua Kelley Career
Early Career (2020-2023)
Joshua Kelley was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 112th overall pick. He made an immediate impact in his NFL debut, scoring a touchdown and rushing for 60 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. Throughout his early career, Kelley faced competition for playing time but managed to showcase his skills, particularly in his rookie season. He finished the 2020 season with notable performances, including a game where he had over 113 yards from scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Breakthrough (2021-2022)
In the 2021 season, Kelley faced challenges, including being inactive for the season opener. However, he continued to work hard and improve his game. The following year, he entered training camp stronger and more prepared, which led to increased playing time. In a Week 5 victory over the Cleveland Browns, Kelley had a standout performance with 49 rushing yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, he suffered an MCL sprain later in the season, which limited his appearances.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Kelley has established himself as a reliable running back with significant contributions to his teams. His notable achievements include being named second-team All-Pac-12 during his college career and having impressive rushing statistics in the NFL.
Joshua Kelley Award Nominations
Joshua Kelley has received recognition for his performances, including being named second-team All-Pac-12 in 2019 during his college career.
Joshua Kelley Awards Won
While specific awards won during his professional career are not detailed, Kelley’s achievements in college football and his selection in the NFL Draft highlight his talent and potential in the sport.
Joshua Kelley Family
Joshua Kelley is married to Mikaela Kelley. Further details about their family life are not publicly available.
Personal Life
Joshua Kelley is known to be a Christian. He maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing on his football career and family.