Kris Boyd Bio
Kris Boyd, born on September 12, 1996, is an American professional football cornerback. He currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Boyd played college football for the Texas Longhorns before being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft. Over the course of his professional career, he has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals and the Houston Texans.
Standing 5 ft 11 in tall and weighing approximately 201 lb, Boyd has built his reputation as a versatile defensive back. He is recognized for his special teams contributions and his physical style of play. His journey from a small Texas town to the NFL reflects steady development at every level of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Kris Boyd was born on September 12, 1996, in Gilmer, Texas, a small community in the eastern part of the state. He attended Gilmer High School, where he developed into a two-way player under head coach Jeff Traylor. As a sophomore in 2012, Boyd earned Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors in District 16-3A after rushing for 1,276 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also contributing on defense with 18 tackles and one forced fumble.
During his junior season in 2013, Boyd was named first-team All-District 16-3A as Gilmer posted an 11–2 record. As a senior, he totaled 1,052 rushing yards and 808 receiving yards with 31 touchdowns on offense, along with 43 tackles, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery on defense. He led Gilmer to a 16–0 record and the 4A Division 2 state championship, and afterward was selected for the 2015 U.S. Army All-America Bowl.
Boyd was also a standout track athlete at Gilmer. As a senior, he was part of the 4 × 200-meter relay team that set a record at the 2015 UIL 4A state meet with a time of 1:25.49. He also finished as the runner-up in the 100 meters with a time of 10.58 seconds.
Path to American Football
Boyd’s path to professional football began with a productive college career at the University of Texas. He played four seasons as a defensive back for the Texas Longhorns, appearing in 51 games and making 33 starts. During his sophomore season, he became a full-time starter at cornerback and finished sixth on the team with 51 tackles, one interception, and five pass breakups.
Over his college career, Boyd recorded 191 tackles with four interceptions, 40 passes defended, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He was named second-team All-Big 12 Conference after his junior season, when he produced 57 tackles, two interceptions, and 15 pass breakups. As a senior in 2018, he was named first-team All-Big 12 after making 54 tackles with 15 passes defended. He was later invited to the Senior Bowl, which helped raise his profile ahead of the NFL draft.
Kris Boyd Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Kris Boyd was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round, 217th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft, joining former Texas teammate Holton Hill. He signed a four-year, $2.6 million contract with the Vikings on May 5, 2019. Boyd made his NFL debut against the Atlanta Falcons on September 8, 2019, recording two tackles while also drawing two penalties in the contest.
Boyd finished his rookie season with 22 tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. On December 15, 2020, he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He continued to contribute on defense and special teams throughout his time in Minnesota, building a reputation as a reliable rotational player.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023)
On April 10, 2023, Kris Boyd signed with the Arizona Cardinals as he sought a fresh opportunity. His time in Arizona was brief, and he was released by the team on October 2, 2023. The short stint did not produce extended playing time, but it kept Boyd active in the league as he awaited his next opportunity.
Houston Texans Era (2023–2024)
On October 27, 2023, Kris Boyd was signed to the practice squad of the Houston Texans, providing him a chance to return to an active roster. He was promoted to the active roster on December 6 and contributed on special teams for the remainder of the season. He re-signed with the Texans on March 19, 2024, securing his place on the roster for another year.
One of his most memorable moments in Houston came during the divisional round of the 2024 playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs. On the opening kickoff, Boyd forced a fumble, although the ball was recovered by Kansas City. After the play, Boyd briefly threw his helmet and shoved special teams coach Frank Ross, but he remained in the game and later explained that he was caught up in the emotion of the moment.
New York Jets Era (2025–Present)
On March 15, 2025, Kris Boyd signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets, joining a defensive unit looking to add experienced depth at cornerback. He was placed on injured reserve on August 18, which limited his early-season availability. Despite the setback, Boyd remained with the team as he worked toward a return to the active roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kris Boyd is known for his physicality and willingness to contribute on special teams in addition to his cornerback duties. His college production at Texas showcased strong ball skills, with 40 passes defended and four interceptions across his career. His experience across multiple NFL schemes has made him a versatile defender capable of filling different roles in the secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kris Boyd’s notable milestones, his selection to the 2015 U.S. Army All-America Bowl and his invitation to the Senior Bowl stand out as pre-professional honors. His forced fumble on the opening kickoff of the 2024 divisional playoff round against the Kansas City Chiefs became one of the most talked-about special teams plays of his career. Through the 2025 season, Boyd’s career NFL totals include 105 tackles, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and three pass deflections.
Kris Boyd Career Highlights
Professional Wins and Performances
Kris Boyd’s professional résumé is built on consistency rather than headline numbers. Across stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and New York Jets, he has provided reliable depth and special teams play. His career NFL statistics through 2025 include 105 total tackles, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and three pass deflections.
His most productive stretch came during his Vikings tenure, where he developed into a regular contributor on defense and special teams. With the Houston Texans, Boyd contributed to a playoff run that included the dramatic divisional-round matchup against Kansas City. His 2025 move to the New York Jets reflected his continued value as a veteran defensive back.
Other Awards and Performances
At the college level, Kris Boyd earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2017 and first-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2018. He helped lead Gilmer High School to the 4A Division 2 state championship as a senior, capping a perfect 16–0 season. He also set a relay record at the 2015 UIL 4A state meet, highlighting his athletic versatility beyond football.
Kris Boyd Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kris Boyd comes from an athletic family with deep ties to football. His brother, DeMarco Boyd, is a former linebacker for the Texas Longhorns, continuing the family’s connection to the program. Two of Kris Boyd’s cousins, Bobby Taylor and Curtis Brown, also played in the NFL, giving the family a strong multi-generational presence in professional football.
Personal Life
Details about Kris Boyd’s personal life remain largely private, and he has kept much of his family and relationship information out of the public eye. His football journey and family legacy are well documented, while his life away from the field continues to stay out of the spotlight. Boyd remains active on social media, where he shares updates about his career and personal interests.
2025 Season Performance
Kris Boyd entered the 2025 NFL season with the New York Jets after signing a one-year contract on March 15, 2025. His early tenure with the team was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on August 18, which kept him off the field for the early portion of the season. Despite the setback, Boyd continued to work with the Jets’ defensive staff as he aimed to return to game action.
Boyd’s veteran presence and special teams experience gave the Jets added depth at cornerback and on coverage units. His career totals through 2025, including 105 tackles, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and three pass deflections, reflected the kind of all-around production he had brought to previous teams. His ongoing recovery and potential return were expected to influence the Jets’ late-season defensive rotation.
Looking ahead, Boyd’s role with the Jets in the latter portion of 2025 was expected to focus on special teams contributions and rotational snaps at cornerback. His contract is scheduled to run through the end of the 2025 season, leaving his future with the club and beyond to be determined. Regardless of the outcome, his career arc from Gilmer to the NFL stands as a testament to perseverance and longevity.
