Kyu Blu Kelly Bio
Kyu Blu Kelly (born May 22, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Kelly is the son of former NFL player Brian Kelly, giving him a direct connection to the professional game from an early age.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 188 pounds, Kelly has developed into a versatile defensive back capable of contributing in coverage and on special teams. After a college career highlighted by consecutive second-team All-Pac-12 honors, he entered the NFL and has since bounced between several teams before finding a home in Las Vegas.
Early Life and Background
Kyu Blu Kelly was born on May 22, 2001, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He grew up in the same city where he would eventually begin his professional career, attending Bishop Gorman High School, one of the most prominent football programs in the state. The Las Vegas area is well known for producing top-tier football talent, and Kelly emerged as one of the top local prospects during his high school years.
As a senior at Bishop Gorman, Kelly was named first team All-State, establishing himself as a polished cover corner and a reliable tackler. He was rated as a three-star recruit by national scouting services and drew scholarship offers from several Pac-12 and West Coast programs, including Arizona State, California, UCLA, Oregon, and Utah. Ultimately, Kelly chose to commit to Stanford University, a program with a strong tradition of developing NFL defensive backs.
Growing up in a football family, Kelly was exposed to the demands of the professional game through his father, Brian Kelly, whose 11-year NFL career offered a unique perspective on the work required to succeed at the highest level. That background helped shape Kelly’s discipline and preparation as he transitioned toward college ball.
Path to American Football
Kelly’s path to the NFL began in earnest at Bishop Gorman, where his performance as a multi-year starter caught the attention of college recruiters. His All-State senior campaign and his three-star rating gave him options across the Pac-12 Conference, but the opportunity to play for Stanford stood out. The Cardinal’s reputation for producing technically sound defensive backs and competing for conference titles made the school an appealing destination.
Once on campus, Kelly made an immediate impact. He became a starter just four games into his freshman season, an unusually fast transition that signaled both his physical readiness and his football intelligence. By his sophomore year, he earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 Conference recognition, and he continued to add size, experience, and technique through the Cardinal’s strength and conditioning program.
Kelly’s trajectory pointed toward the NFL throughout his Stanford tenure, and after his senior season, he formally announced that he would declare for the 2023 NFL draft. His combination of height, length, and coverage instincts made him an intriguing mid-round prospect for teams looking to add depth to their secondary.
Kyu Blu Kelly Career
Early Career (2023)
Kyu Blu Kelly’s professional career began in dramatic fashion during the 2023 NFL draft, when the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fifth round with the 157th overall pick. The Ravens viewed him as a developmental cornerback with starting potential, and he entered one of the league’s most competitive secondaries. However, his time in Baltimore was brief, as he was waived as part of the team’s final roster cuts on August 29, 2023.
Less than 24 hours later, Kelly was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks on August 30, 2023, giving him a quick second chance. His stint in Seattle lasted into the regular season, but he was waived on November 11, 2023. Just four days later, on November 15, 2023, the Green Bay Packers added him off waivers. After a short stay, he was released by Green Bay on December 12, 2023, only to be claimed the very next day by the Washington Commanders. The whirlwind 2023 season saw Kelly move through four organizations in a single calendar year.
Washington Commanders Era (2023–2024)
Kelly joined the Washington Commanders on December 13, 2023, providing him a late-season opportunity to contribute on defense and special teams. He remained with the Commanders through the offseason, working to establish himself within a rebuilding secondary. The experience allowed him to refine his technique and adapt to multiple defensive schemes under different coaching staffs.
Despite the progress he showed in Washington, Kelly was released as part of roster cuts on August 27, 2024, ending his time with the Commanders after less than a full calendar year with the franchise. The move opened the door for a return closer to home.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024–Present)
On September 10, 2024, Kelly signed with the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad, returning to the city where he grew up and attended high school. He continued to develop on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on December 21, 2024, giving him an opportunity to finish the season in his hometown market.
In the 2025 season, Kelly reached a defining milestone on November 6, 2025, recording his first two career interceptions in the Raiders’ Week 10 matchup against the Denver Broncos, even though Las Vegas ultimately lost the game 7-10. He added a third interception in a later contest. However, on December 7, Kelly suffered a torn patellar tendon during another matchup against Denver, and he was placed on season-ending injured reserve the following day. Through that point in his career, he had recorded 47 total tackles, 6 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kelly’s most notable professional milestones include his selection in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens and his first career multi-interception game against the Denver Broncos in November 2025. His rapid movement between four teams during the 2023 season is also a defining storyline, illustrating the resilience required to remain in the league.
Kyu Blu Kelly Career Highlights
NFL Highlights
Kelly’s most memorable NFL moments include his debut season journey that saw him pass through the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Washington Commanders in a single year. His first career interceptions came against the Denver Broncos in Week 10 of the 2025 season, marking a long-awaited breakthrough for a player who had patiently worked his way back from practice squad duty to the active roster.
Kyu Blu Kelly Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kyu Blu Kelly comes from a notable football family, most prominently as the son of Brian Kelly, a former NFL defensive back who played 11 seasons in the league. Brian Kelly’s professional career provided Kyu with an insider’s view of the commitment, preparation, and physical demands required to play cornerback at the highest level. That pedigree helped shape his approach to the game from a young age.
Personal Life
Kelly was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, and he maintains close ties to the city that produced him. His educational path took him from Bishop Gorman High School to Stanford University, where he completed his college football career before turning professional. He is the son of Brian Kelly, whose long NFL career remains a defining influence on his own journey in the league.
2025 Season Performance
Kyu Blu Kelly’s 2025 campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders represented his most productive professional season to date. After spending the early portion of the year on the practice squad and then being promoted to the active roster late in 2024, he entered 2025 focused on earning an expanded role in the Raiders’ secondary. His growth showed up in the stat sheet, and by midseason he had become a meaningful contributor in coverage.
The highlight of his season came on November 6, 2025, when he recorded his first two career interceptions against the Denver Broncos, a statement performance that underlined his ball skills and instincts. He finished the year with 47 total tackles, 6 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery, giving the Raiders a versatile cornerback capable of impacting the game in multiple phases.
Unfortunately, the season ended on a difficult note when Kelly suffered a torn patellar tendon during a December 7 matchup against Denver, leading to a placement on season-ending injured reserve the following day. Despite the injury, his 2025 production established him as a key piece of the Raiders’ defensive plans heading into the next chapter of his career.