Kai Locksley Bio
Kai Locksley is an American professional football quarterback and wide receiver for the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL). He most recently played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Locksley played college football at Texas, Arizona Western College, Iowa Western Community College, and the University of Texas at El Paso. Locksley was born on November 17, 1996, in Westport, New York. He grew up in Washington, D.C., and attended the Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland, where he excelled in both football and basketball. During his junior season, he was named second-team Private School All-State by the Associated Press after passing for 875 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing for 795 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a senior, he repeated as a second-team All-State selection, passing for 915 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for 1,050 yards and 17 touchdowns. Locksley was rated a four-star recruit and initially committed to play college football at Florida State before ultimately choosing the University of Texas shortly before National Signing Day.
Early Life and Background
Locksley attended the Gilman School, where he showcased his athletic talents in both football and basketball. His impressive high school performance earned him recognition as a second-team All-State player. After high school, Locksley began his college football career at the University of Texas, where he redshirted his freshman year. He transitioned to wide receiver during his redshirt freshman season but later transferred to Arizona Western College for a brief period before moving to Iowa Western Community College. At Iowa Western, he had a standout season, completing 176 of 265 pass attempts for 2,238 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, and rushing for 705 yards and 20 touchdowns. His performance earned him the Spalding NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year award. Following his success at Iowa Western, Locksley transferred to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to complete his collegiate eligibility.
Path to American Football
At UTEP, Locksley made an immediate impact, starting eight games in his first season and passing for 937 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 340 yards and six touchdowns. In his senior year, he played in 11 games, passing for 1,329 yards with six touchdowns and rushing for 535 yards and five touchdowns. His college career laid the groundwork for his entry into professional football. Locksley was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on March 22, 2021, where he played as a wide receiver. However, he was waived at the end of training camp. He then signed with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League on January 12, 2022. During his time with the Elks, he faced challenges, including being released after a brief stint in which he completed five of eight passes for 50 yards and rushed for 122 yards and seven touchdowns.
Kai Locksley Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, Locksley began his professional career with the Miami Dolphins. Although he did not secure a long-term position with the Dolphins, his journey continued in the Canadian Football League. Locksley joined the Edmonton Elks, where he had the opportunity to showcase his skills, despite facing ups and downs during the season. His time in Edmonton was marked by a notable performance where he rushed for seven touchdowns.
Breakthrough (2023)
In July 2023, Locksley signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he played in 15 games and recorded 26 carries for 31 yards and two touchdowns, along with three receptions for 98 yards and one touchdown. This season proved to be a significant step in his professional career, as he gained valuable experience and continued to develop his skills on the field.
Notable Works and Milestones
Locksley’s signature work includes his performances in college football, particularly his time at UTEP and Iowa Western Community College, where he earned accolades for his offensive capabilities. His transition to professional football has been marked by his adaptability and determination to succeed in the competitive landscape of American football.
Kai Locksley Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Kai Locksley has not received any notable award nominations.
Kai Locksley Awards Won
Kai Locksley has not won any significant awards during his professional career.
Kai Locksley Family
Kai Locksley is the son of Mike Locksley, the head coach at the University of Maryland. He has an older brother, Meiko Locksley, who played college football at New Mexico, Iowa Western, and Lackawanna College. Tragically, Meiko Locksley was murdered in 2017 in Columbia, Maryland.
Personal Life
Locksley faced personal challenges during his college career, including a suspension from the UTEP football team in June 2019 due to legal issues. He was reinstated shortly after. Despite these challenges, Locksley has continued to pursue his passion for football and has shown resilience in his journey through professional sports.