Nick Mullens Bio
Nicholas Clayton Mullens, known professionally as Nick Mullens, is an American professional football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 210 pounds, he wears jersey number 14 and is recognized as a reliable journeyman signal-caller with a strong arm and a quick release. Mullens built his reputation on perseverance, beginning his NFL journey as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and gradually earning meaningful playing time across multiple franchises over the course of his career.
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mullens rose to prominence through the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, where he set single-season school records once held by Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre. Over the years, he has suited up for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. Known for his poise in the pocket and efficient ball distribution, Mullens has carved out a long NFL career despite going undrafted out of college.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Clayton Mullens was born on March 21, 1995, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to parents Mark Mullens and Suzanne Mullens. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Hoover, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, where Mullens spent the majority of his childhood. He was raised in a family with deep athletic roots, including a grandfather, Ernie Tabor, who once pitched in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system in the 1950s.
Mullens’ uncle, Scott Tabor, also had a strong athletic background, pitching for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team and holding the school record for most career wins. He later pitched professionally in the minor leagues, further inspiring Mullens’ competitive spirit. Growing up in such an environment, Mullens developed a strong interest in sports from an early age, eventually gravitating toward football as his primary passion.
Mullens attended Spain Park High School in Hoover, Alabama, where he quickly emerged as the starting quarterback for the football team. As a senior in 2012, he put together an exceptional season, throwing for 3,649 yards and 40 touchdowns against only seven interceptions. His outstanding play earned him the 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year award for the state of Alabama. By the end of his high school career, Mullens had totaled 8,605 career passing yards, finishing with the seventh most passing yards in AHSAA history. Although he originally verbally committed to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Mullens changed course on national signing day following a last-minute visit to the University of Southern Mississippi, signing instead with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
Path to American Football
Mullens’ path to professional football truly began at Southern Miss, where he made an immediate impact as a true freshman. After starting the 2013 season with a 0–6 record, head coach Todd Monken inserted Mullens as the starting quarterback for the home game against the North Texas Mean Green. Although the Golden Eagles suffered a 55–14 loss, with Mullens going 12-for-31 for 210 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions, his potential was evident. In his second collegiate game, a loss to Marshall, Mullens became the first true freshman starting quarterback in Southern Miss history to pass for more than 300 yards in a single game, a feat never accomplished by Brett Favre during his freshman year.
On November 30, 2013, Mullens played a key role in helping Southern Miss end its 23-game losing streak with a five-touchdown performance against the University of Alabama-Birmingham, the very program he had originally committed to. As a sophomore in 2014, he started 10 games and completed 218 of 365 attempts for 2,470 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, continuing his steady development. The following season, in 2015, Mullens had a breakout year, completing 331 of 521 passes for 4,476 yards and 38 touchdowns, surpassing Brett Favre’s single-season school records for passing yardage and touchdown passes. His performance earned him Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and Second-team All-C-USA honors.
In his senior season of 2016, Mullens started 11 games and threw for 3,272 yards and 24 touchdowns, including a career-high 591 yards against the Rice Owls. Over four seasons at Southern Miss, he played in 44 games, completing 928 of 1,546 attempts for 11,994 yards and 87 touchdowns, finishing as the career passing leader in every statistical category. His college numbers far exceeded those of Brett Favre during his time at Southern Miss, cementing Mullens’ legacy as one of the program’s all-time greats.
Nick Mullens Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Following his decorated college career, Nicholas Clayton Mullens went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft. On May 4, 2017, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent, entering training camp as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart behind Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley, and rookie C. J. Beathard. Mullens was waived as part of the 49ers’ final roster cuts on September 2, 2017, but was signed to the practice squad the next day, where he spent his entire rookie season developing his craft.
On January 2, 2018, the 49ers signed Mullens to a reserve/futures contract, and he was once again waived and brought back to the practice squad at the start of the 2018 season. His career trajectory changed dramatically on September 26, 2018, when the 49ers promoted him to the active roster after starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL. Mullens was then named the starter for the Week 9 game against the Oakland Raiders on November 1, 2018, following an injury to C. J. Beathard.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Mullens made a stunning NFL debut on November 1, 2018, completing 16 of 22 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns in a 34–3 victory over the Oakland Raiders. His passer rating of 151.9 was the highest since 1970 for a quarterback with at least 20 passing attempts in a debut, and he became the first player in 49ers history to throw three touchdowns in his first game for the team. Although the following weeks brought mixed results, including a career-high 414 passing yards in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Mullens finished the 2018 season with 2,277 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across eight starts.
During the 2019 season, Mullens primarily served as the backup to Jimmy Garoppolo, appearing in only one game as the 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV, where they lost 31–20 to the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2020, Mullens received more opportunities, including a 343-yard passing performance against the New York Giants and a near-comeback effort against the Seattle Seahawks, but his season was cut short on December 22, 2020, when he was placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury. The 49ers did not extend a restricted free agent tender to him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns (2021)
On June 14, 2021, Mullens signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was waived on August 28, 2021, before the start of the regular season. Shortly after, on September 1, 2021, he was signed to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad. Mullens was elevated to the active roster on October 21, 2021, and was later named the starting quarterback for the Week 15 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders after Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum tested positive for COVID-19. In a game postponed due to the pandemic, Mullens threw a late touchdown pass to give the Browns the lead, but the Raiders answered with a field goal to win 16–14. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings (2022–2024)
Mullens signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on April 4, 2022, but was traded to the Minnesota Vikings on August 22, 2022, for a 2024 conditional seventh-round pick. With the Vikings, he served in a backup role and saw limited action, including a relief appearance against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 of the 2022 season. On March 14, 2023, Mullens signed a two-year contract extension with the Vikings and later stepped in as a starter following injuries during the 2023 season, posting a 411-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions. In 2024, he served as the primary backup to Sam Darnold, completing both of his pass attempts across four games played.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, Mullens signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joining the franchise as a veteran presence in the quarterback room. Wearing number 14, he provides the Jaguars with a reliable and experienced backup option capable of stepping in when needed. His career arc, from undrafted free agent to multi-team journeyman, reflects a player who has consistently prepared and remained ready for his opportunities at the NFL level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Nicholas Clayton Mullens is known for his quick release, accuracy in the short-to-intermediate passing game, and poise under pressure. His career completion percentage of 66.0% demonstrates his efficiency as a passer, while his experience across multiple offensive systems has made him a valuable asset in the quarterback room. Mullens’ ability to read defenses and manage the game has earned him the trust of coaching staffs throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Mullens’ career came on November 1, 2018, when he threw three touchdowns in his NFL debut, posting a 151.9 passer rating, the highest since 1970 for a quarterback with at least 20 passing attempts in a debut. He also surpassed Brett Favre’s single-season school records at Southern Miss for passing yardage and touchdown passes, and was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2015.
Nick Mullens Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Nicholas Clayton Mullens has recorded notable victories and performances across multiple franchises. His most significant win came in his debut start, a 34–3 victory over the Oakland Raiders in 2018, where he threw three touchdowns. Additional wins include a 20–14 victory over the Denver Broncos and a 26–23 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks during the 2018 season.
NFL Highlights
Mullens’ first NFL win came in his debut start on November 1, 2018, against the Oakland Raiders, where he completed 16 of 22 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns. His most recent verified NFL start came during the 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings, including a 411-yard passing performance against the Detroit Lions. While Mullens has not appeared in the playoffs as a starter, he was part of the 49ers roster that reached Super Bowl LIV following the 2019 season.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his NFL accomplishments, Mullens guided the Southern Miss Golden Eagles to a 9–5 record in 2015, the program’s best mark in years, while throwing for 4,476 yards and 38 touchdowns. His college career included a career-high 591 passing yards against the Rice Owls in 2016, and a five-touchdown performance against UAB that ended a 23-game losing streak in 2013.
Nick Mullens Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Nicholas Clayton Mullens was born to Mark Mullens and Suzanne Mullens and has deep athletic roots on both sides of his family. His maternal grandfather, Ernie Tabor, pitched in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system in the 1950s, while his uncle, Scott Tabor, pitched for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team and holds the school record for most career wins. Scott Tabor also pitched professionally in the minor leagues, further cementing the family’s athletic tradition.
Personal Life
On August 30, 2019, Nicholas Clayton Mullens married his wife, Haleigh Mullens, and the couple welcomed their first child, a son, later that year. The family has remained a central part of Mullens’ life as he has moved between NFL teams, providing stability and support throughout his journeyman career in professional football.
2025 Season Performance
Nicholas Clayton Mullens entered the 2025 NFL season with the Jacksonville Jaguars after signing with the franchise on March 12, 2025. Joining a new team provided Mullens with a fresh opportunity to contribute as a veteran presence in the quarterback room. His extensive experience across multiple offensive systems made him a valuable addition to the Jaguars’ roster heading into the season.
Throughout the 2025 season, Mullens has continued to serve as a reliable backup option, ready to step in when called upon. His career completion percentage of 66.0% and his track record of efficient performances have made him a trusted option for the Jaguars’ coaching staff. Should he be called upon to start, Mullens’ preparation and poise position him to deliver competitive performances.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season represents another chapter in Mullens’ resilient NFL journey. From undrafted free agent to multi-team veteran, he continues to demonstrate the work ethic and determination that have defined his career. With the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mullens aims to contribute to the team’s success while continuing to build on his legacy as one of Southern Miss’s most accomplished quarterbacks.