Kenny Moore II Bio
Kenny Moore II (born August 23, 1995) is an American professional football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Valdosta State Blazers and signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Moore has developed into one of the league’s most reliable slot cornerbacks and earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Kenny Moore II was born on August 23, 1995, in Valdosta, Georgia, where he grew up and attended Lowndes High School. Although he did not start playing football until his senior year, Moore quickly made an impact on the field. In 2012, he recorded 18 tackles, two interceptions, and two pass breakups, helping Lowndes post a 9–2 record and advance to the GHSA Class AAAAAA Playoffs.
Beyond football, Moore participated in soccer, basketball, and track at Lowndes, showcasing his athletic versatility. His late start in organized football made his rise to the professional level even more remarkable, as he had to learn the cornerback position largely on the fly before college recruiters took notice.
Path to American Football
Despite playing only one season of high school football, Moore attracted interest from Valdosta State University, where he played for the Valdosta State Blazers from 2013 to 2016. He began his college career as a cornerback and converted to safety during his senior season, demonstrating the position flexibility that would later help him at the next level. In 2013, he played in 10 games, starting one, and recorded 12 solo tackles, six tackle assists, and one interception.
Moore’s production grew each season, and he earned First-team All-Gulf South Conference (GSC) honors in 2015 along with USA College Football Division II Second-team All-American recognition. The following year, he garnered HERO Sports D2 First-team All-American and American Football Coaches Association First-team All-American honors while ranking fifth in school history with 11 career interceptions. Moore majored in mass media at Valdosta State, and in January 2017, he played in the Tropical Bowl, a college football all-star game, to showcase his skills for NFL scouts.
Kenny Moore II Career
Early Career (2017)
On May 5, 2017, the New England Patriots signed Kenny Moore II to a three-year, $1.66 million contract as an undrafted free agent. Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against several veterans and fellow rookies. Despite a strong performance in the preseason, the Patriots waived Moore on September 2 as part of their final roster cuts.
The Indianapolis Colts claimed Moore off waivers the following day, giving him a path back to the league. Head coach Chuck Pagano initially listed him as the fifth cornerback on the depth chart. Moore made his NFL regular-season debut on September 10, 2017, against the Los Angeles Rams and earned his first career start in Week 13 after Rashaan Melvin was placed on injured reserve. He recorded his first career interception on December 14, 2017, picking off a pass from Trevor Siemian, and finished his rookie year with 38 combined tackles, five pass deflections, and one interception across 16 games and five starts.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Moore entered the 2018 season as the No. 2 starting cornerback under new head coach Frank Reich and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. He posted 77 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, three interceptions, and 1.5 sacks while starting 15 games. The Colts finished 10–6 and clinched a playoff berth, and Moore made his postseason debut in the AFC Wild Card Game at the Houston Texans, recording six combined tackles, a sack, and an interception of Deshaun Watson in a 21–7 victory.
On June 13, 2019, the Colts signed Moore to a four-year, $33.30 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid slot cornerback in the league. He started 11 games in 2019 before a knee injury and an ankle injury cut his season short. In 2020, Moore had his first career touchdown on November 1, picking off Matthew Stafford and returning the interception 29 yards against the Detroit Lions. He set a career high with four interceptions that season and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after a Week 14 performance against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2021–Present)
Moore started all 17 games in 2021, finishing with 102 combined tackles, 13 passes defensed, four interceptions, one forced fumble, and one sack. He became one of only two NFL defensive backs that year to register at least 100 tackles and 10 passes defensed, and he was named to his first career Pro Bowl. Moore was also the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in recognition of his community work.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley retained Moore as a starter in 2022, but an ankle injury in Week 12 sent him to injured reserve and ended his season after 12 games. In 2023, Moore became the first Colts defensive player in franchise history to score more than one defensive touchdown in a single game, returning two interceptions for touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers and earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week. On March 14, 2024, the Colts signed him to a three-year, $30.00 million contract extension, and he opened the 2024 season as the No. 1 starting cornerback before being released by Indianapolis on May 7, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Moore excels in the slot, where his quickness, instincts, and tackling reliability allow him to handle both pass coverage and run support. He pairs physical play at the line of scrimmage with sharp route recognition, and he has become a trusted leader in the defensive backfield through consistent preparation and football intelligence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Moore’s signature game came on November 7, 2023, when he scored two defensive touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers. He has also delivered multiple game-changing interceptions, including a one-handed pick against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 and a two-interception performance against the Tennessee Titans in 2024.
Kenny Moore II Career Wins
Kenny Moore II has built his reputation less on sacks and forced fumbles and more on consistent coverage, ball production, and game-turning plays. His career has been defined by four-interception seasons, multiple Pro Bowl honors, and a landmark contract that once made him the highest-paid slot cornerback in the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts Highlights
Moore has recorded 21 career interceptions, 68 pass deflections, and five defensive touchdowns through the 2025 NFL season, according to his official career totals. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and has started 16 games in multiple seasons, anchoring the Colts’ secondary throughout his career.
Other Wins & Performances
Moore earned First-team All-American honors in 2016 and Second-team All-American recognition in 2015 at Valdosta State, establishing himself as one of the top Division II defensive backs in the country before reaching the NFL.
Kenny Moore II Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Moore grew up in Valdosta, Georgia, and was a multi-sport athlete at Lowndes High School, participating in soccer, basketball, and track alongside football.
Personal Life
Moore has kept most of his personal and family life out of the public spotlight, focusing public attention on his play and his community work that led to a Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination in 2021.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Kenny Moore II remained the Indianapolis Colts’ No. 1 starting cornerback after signing a three-year, $30.00 million extension in March 2024. He was paired with second-year cornerback Jaylon Jones, and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley continued to build the secondary around Moore’s veteran presence.
Moore started 15 games in 2024 and finished with 78 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, three interceptions, one fumble recovery, one touchdown, and half a sack. His two-interception game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 highlighted his continued ball-hawking ability at age 29. He received an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 70.8, ranking 42nd among 222 qualifying cornerbacks.
Looking ahead through 2025, Moore was expected to remain a central piece of the Colts’ defense under head coach Shane Steichen, providing leadership in the slot and on the perimeter. Following his release on May 7, 2026, Moore became a free agent, opening the next chapter of his professional career after a decade in Indianapolis.
