Levi Wallace Bio
Levi Wallace is an American professional football cornerback who has built a lengthy NFL career despite going undrafted out of college. He played for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning two College Football Playoff national championships, and signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Over the years, Wallace has also suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 179 pounds, Wallace is known for his coverage instincts, ball skills, and willingness to step into a starting role. His career has carried him from a scout team walk-on in Tuscaloosa to a respected veteran presence in NFL defensive backfields.
Early Life and Background
Levi Wallace was born on June 12, 1995, in Tucson, Arizona. He grew up in the same desert city and attended Tucson High School, where he played both football and track and field. During his high school years, Wallace lined up at wide receiver, cornerback, and kick returner, showing the kind of multi-position athleticism that often draws college attention.
Despite that versatility, Wallace received very little recruiting interest because of his slender frame and modest statistical production. Scholarship offers did not come, but his father had grown up in Tuscaloosa and was a devoted fan of Alabama football. With that family connection in mind, Wallace chose to enroll at the University of Alabama without a scholarship, hoping simply to remain close to the sport he loved.
Path to American Football
Wallace arrived at Alabama in the fall of 2013 and played intramural flag football during his first semester. He briefly considered leaving the school while his father battled ALS, but his father encouraged him to try out for the Crimson Tide football team as a walk-on. After a successful tryout in January 2014, Wallace earned a spot as a walk-on defensive back.
He spent his first two seasons at Alabama working on the scout team, learning the defensive system and waiting for his chance. By Alabama’s 2016 fall camp, his work earned him a scholarship. In his junior year, Wallace appeared in 11 games mostly on special teams and as a backup cornerback, recording 11 tackles and two pass breakups. The following season, after Marlon Humphrey left for the NFL, Wallace stepped into a starting role and helped Alabama capture the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship with a 26–23 overtime win over Georgia.
Levi Wallace Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
On May 1, 2018, the Buffalo Bills signed Levi Wallace to a three-year, $1.71 million contract as an undrafted free agent. He competed for a backup role during training camp but was waived as part of final roster cuts on September 1, 2018. The Bills quickly signed him to their practice squad the next day, keeping him within the organization.
Wallace was promoted to the active roster on November 6, 2018, and made his regular season debut against the New York Jets a few days later, recording a tackle and a pass deflection. He finished his rookie season with 37 combined tackles and three pass deflections in seven games and seven starts. In 2019, he opened the year as a starting cornerback opposite Tre’Davious White and recorded his first career interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers, sealing a 17–10 win late in the fourth quarter. He started all 16 games that season, finishing with 76 total tackles, two interceptions, and nine passes defended.
Buffalo Bills Breakthrough (2020–2021)
The Bills re-signed Wallace to a one-year contract in April 2020, and he regained his starting role even after the team added veteran Josh Norman. Wallace opened 2020 with an interception against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, but an ankle injury later forced him onto injured reserve. After returning, he delivered another late interception off Ben Roethlisberger against the Steelers on Sunday Night Football, helping Buffalo secure a 26–15 win. He finished the 2020 season with 48 total tackles, two interceptions, and eight passes defended, and added a key sack on Lamar Jackson in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
In 2021, Wallace re-signed with Buffalo on another one-year deal and became the team’s top cornerback after Tre’Davious White tore his ACL in Week 12. Despite the injury, Buffalo finished the year with the league’s top passing defense, and Wallace allowed just a 72.6 passer rating when targeted. He started all 17 regular season games and both playoff games, finishing with 58 total tackles, two interceptions, and ten passes defended.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2022–2023)
On March 17, 2022, Wallace signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers that included a $2.96 million signing bonus. He became a steady presence in the Pittsburgh secondary, appearing in 15 games and starting nine during the 2022 season. That year he posted 48 total tackles, a career-high four interceptions, and 13 passes defended, giving the Steelers another experienced corner to lean on.
Denver Broncos Era (2024)
On April 22, 2024, Wallace signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos, joining a new defensive scheme and a fresh locker room. He filled in for an injured Riley Moss in Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns, but struggled in coverage against former Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy, who put up nine catches for 235 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos benched Wallace in favor of rookie Kris Abrams-Draine late in that game, and the team waived him on December 24, 2024.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025)
On August 2, 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Wallace in hopes of adding veteran depth to their secondary. He was placed on injured reserve on August 9, 2025, and released on August 13, 2025, ending that short stint.
Driving Style and Strengths
Levi Wallace is a patient, technique-driven cornerback who relies on route recognition, disciplined footwork, and reliable hands. He has shown a knack for timely interceptions, particularly in prime-time and late-game situations, and has the experience to line up outside against bigger wide receivers. Over the years he has adapted between zone and man responsibilities across different defensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Wallace’s career are his two College Football Playoff national championships at Alabama in 2015 and 2017, his game-sealing interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, and a career-best four interceptions during his first season in Pittsburgh. Through the 2024 season, his career totals include 333 total tackles, 12 interceptions, 56 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery.
Levi Wallace Career Wins
While individual win totals are not tracked for defensive backs the way they are for quarterbacks, Levi Wallace has racked up important team victories, signature interceptions, and two national championship rings. He has been part of contending defenses in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Denver, and has delivered several fourth-quarter plays that shaped games.
NFL Highlights
Wallace’s first NFL interception came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, a late pick of Devlin Hodges that clinched a Bills playoff berth. His most productive interception season came in 2022 with the Steelers, when he matched a career high with four picks. In the playoffs, he also collected a sack of Lamar Jackson during Buffalo’s 2020 Divisional Round win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Levi Wallace Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Wallace was raised in Tucson, Arizona, and has spoken about the central role his father played in his football journey. His father’s connection to Tuscaloosa and his love of Alabama football helped guide Wallace toward the Crimson Tide. His father also encouraged him to try out for the team as a walk-on while battling ALS, a decision that ultimately launched an NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
Levi Wallace entered the 2025 league year as a veteran free agent looking for a new home. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 2, 2025, hoping to compete for a roster spot in training camp. The opportunity was short-lived, however, as he was placed on injured reserve on August 9 and released on August 13, 2025.
With another release in 2025, Wallace’s path back onto an NFL roster will depend on his health and the needs of teams looking for experienced cornerback depth. Given his track record of stepping into starting roles and producing timely turnovers, he remains a plausible late-summer or in-season addition for a defense in need of veteran help.