Nate McCrary Bio
Nate McCrary (born April 9, 1999) is an American professional football running back. He played college football at Saginaw Valley State before launching an NFL career as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Listed at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and 213 lb (97 kg), McCrary has spent time with multiple National Football League franchises while also competing in spring football leagues, including the United States Football League and the United Football League.
Early Life and Background
Nate McCrary was born on April 9, 1999, in Muskegon, Michigan, United States. He grew up in his hometown and attended Reeths-Puffer High School in Muskegon, where he developed into a productive running back prospect. His size and skill set at the high school level helped him earn the opportunity to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Coming out of Reeths-Puffer, McCrary was regarded as a talented but under-recruited prospect, eventually choosing Saginaw Valley State, a Division II program in Michigan. The decision allowed him to play close to home and to take on a significant offensive role early in his college career.
Path to American Football
McCrary joined the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals football program and quickly established himself as a workhorse running back. Across 33 games with the Cardinals, he carried the ball 377 times for 1,889 yards and 28 touchdowns, showing consistent production and durability. His workload grew each season as he earned the trust of the coaching staff and became a focal point of the offense.
In his junior and final season, McCrary set career highs with 1,060 rushing yards and 6.3 yards per carry, earning All-GLIAC First-team honors. He finished his college career ranked fourth on the Saginaw Valley State career rushing touchdowns all-time list, a record that reflected his scoring efficiency. Following the 2020 season, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft and went undrafted, eventually signing as a free agent.
Nate McCrary Career
Early Career (2021)
Nate McCrary signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2021. He impressed during the preseason, leading the team in rushing with 42 carries for 163 yards and a touchdown. Despite his strong preseason performance, the Ravens waived him on August 31, 2021, as part of final roster cuts.
Just one day later, on September 1, 2021, McCrary was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos. His time in Denver was brief, as the team released him on September 23, 2021. He then returned to Baltimore, signing with the Ravens practice squad on September 25, 2021, and later signing a reserve/future contract on January 18, 2022, before being waived again in late August 2022.
NFL Journeyman Years (2022–2023)
On November 1, 2022, McCrary joined the Carolina Panthers practice squad, providing depth at running back late in the season. He was released on December 13, 2022, but his path through NFL organizations continued. In January 2023, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Cleveland Browns, later joining the Green Bay Packers briefly in August 2023 before returning to the Browns practice squad in October 2023.
These short stints with the Panthers, Browns, and Packers reflected the typical life of a young undrafted running back fighting to stay on an NFL roster. McCrary consistently earned opportunities through practice squad signings and reserve/future contracts, demonstrating the perseverance required to extend his professional career.
Michigan Panthers and UFL Era (2023–2025)
On December 8, 2023, McCrary signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League, giving him a chance to play regular-season games at a professional level. He remained with the Michigan Panthers through the 2024 USFL campaign before having his contract terminated on August 13, 2024, to pursue an NFL opportunity.
McCrary signed with the Green Bay Packers on August 14, 2024, but was released and re-signed to the practice squad, ultimately landing on practice squad/injured reserve. He was released shortly afterward and re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on October 3, 2024, returning to the spring league. On January 13, 2026, he was selected by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Draft, though he was released on March 6, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although a football running back rather than a motorsport driver, McCrary is recognized for his between-the-tackles running style, strong lower body, and pass-protection reliability. His listed frame of 6 ft 0 in and 213 lb supports a physical, downhill rushing approach, while his college average of 6.3 yards per carry in his final season highlighted his explosiveness when hitting the hole.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of McCrary’s career came during the 2021 preseason with the Baltimore Ravens, when he led the team in rushing yards and scored a touchdown. He also earned All-GLIAC First-team recognition in his final college season and ranks fourth on the Saginaw Valley State career rushing touchdowns list, cementing his place in the program’s record book.
Nate McCrary Career Stats and Honors
College Highlights
Across his career at Saginaw Valley State, McCrary totaled 1,889 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 377 carries over 33 games. He posted a career-best 1,060 rushing yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry in his junior season, a performance that earned him All-GLIAC First-team honors. His 28 career rushing touchdowns place him fourth in Saginaw Valley State history.
Other Wins & Performances
McCrary’s professional resume features preseason production with the Baltimore Ravens, where he led the team in rushing in 2021. He has since built consistent spring league experience with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL and the UFL, serving as a featured back in that circuit while continuing to pursue NFL opportunities.
Nate McCrary Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Nate McCrary’s parents and extended family is limited. He is known to have grown up in Muskegon, Michigan, where he attended Reeths-Puffer High School and built the foundation of his football career.
Personal Life
McCrary keeps his personal life largely private, and no public details about a spouse or children have been confirmed. He maintains an active presence on social media, including his verified Instagram account under the handle @nate_mccrary18, where he shares updates on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Nate McCrary was a member of the Michigan Panthers, continuing his role in the spring football circuit. His familiarity with the Panthers’ system, built over multiple stints with the organization, gave him an opportunity to contribute as a featured back. The season served as another platform for him to showcase his skills in hopes of returning to a full-time NFL roster.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, McCrary provided veteran running back depth and experience for the Michigan Panthers. His physical running style and pass-protection ability remained attractive traits for NFL evaluators monitoring spring league play. The Michigan Panthers organization offered him consistent touches and a featured role in the offense.
Looking ahead, McCrary’s focus remained on earning another NFL opportunity following the conclusion of the 2025 spring season. His combination of college production, preseason NFL experience, and spring league reliability positioned him as a depth option for teams seeking running back help. His career trajectory reflected persistence through multiple practice squad moves, transactions, and league changes while maintaining his professional standing.
