Nicholas Clayton Mullens Bio
Nicholas Clayton Mullens is an American professional football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, where he surpassed Brett Favre’s single-season school records for passing yardage and touchdown passes. Mullens was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent and has also been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Clayton Mullens was born on March 21, 1995, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up in Hoover, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham. He is the son of Suzanne and Mark Mullens. Mullens graduated from Spain Park High School in Hoover, where he emerged as the starting quarterback. In his senior year, he threw for 3,649 yards and 40 touchdowns, earning the 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year award for the state of Alabama. Mullens finished his high school career with a total of 8,605 passing yards, ranking seventh in Alabama High School Athletic Association history.
After initially committing to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Mullens changed his decision on national signing day and signed with the University of Southern Mississippi. His early exposure to football and impressive high school performance paved the way for his collegiate career.
Path to American Football
Mullens began his college career at Southern Miss in 2013, where he faced challenges as a true freshman. He was inserted as the starting quarterback during a difficult season, but he quickly made a name for himself. In his second game, he became the first true freshman in Southern Miss history to pass for over 300 yards in a single game. Mullens played a crucial role in helping the team end a 23-game losing streak with a five-touchdown performance against the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Over the next few years, Mullens continued to break records at Southern Miss. In 2015, he completed 331 of 521 passes for 4,476 yards and 38 touchdowns, setting school records for both passing yardage and touchdown passes. His performance helped the Golden Eagles achieve a 9-5 record, marking a significant turnaround for the program. Mullens finished his collegiate career with 11,994 passing yards and 87 touchdown passes, surpassing Brett Favre’s records at the university.
Nicholas Clayton Mullens Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Mullens signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2017. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in 2018. Mullens made his NFL debut on November 1, 2018, against the Oakland Raiders, where he completed 16 of 22 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns, leading the 49ers to a 34-3 victory. His performance set a record for the highest passer rating for a quarterback with at least 20 attempts in their debut.
In the 2018 season, Mullens finished with 2,277 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in eight games. He primarily served as the backup quarterback in 2019, appearing in only one game as the 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV.
Breakthrough (2021–Present)
In 2021, Mullens signed with the Philadelphia Eagles but was waived shortly after. He then joined the Cleveland Browns, where he was elevated to the active roster due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the team’s quarterbacks. Mullens started in a game against the Las Vegas Raiders, completing 20 of 30 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown.
Mullens signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in April 2022 and was later traded to the Minnesota Vikings. He played in several games for the Vikings, including a notable performance against the Green Bay Packers, where he threw for a touchdown. On March 12, 2025, Mullens signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, continuing his professional career.
Notable Works and Milestones
Mullens’ signature work includes his record-setting college career at Southern Miss, where he became the all-time passing leader. He has also made significant contributions in the NFL, particularly with the San Francisco 49ers, where he had a standout debut performance.
Nicholas Clayton Mullens Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Nicholas Clayton Mullens has received recognition for his achievements, including being named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and a Second-team All-C-USA in 2015.
Nicholas Clayton Mullens Awards Won
Nicholas Clayton Mullens has won several accolades during his career, including the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and Second-team All-C-USA in 2015.
Nicholas Clayton Mullens Family
Nicholas Clayton Mullens is married to Haleigh Mullens, and they welcomed their first child, a son, in 2019. His family background includes supportive parents who encouraged his athletic pursuits from a young age.
Personal Life
Nicholas Clayton Mullens maintains a relatively private personal life. He and his wife, Haleigh, have been together since their marriage, and they focus on their family while navigating his professional football career.