Tyler Badie Bio
Tyler Badie is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 7, 2000, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he developed into a versatile playmaker known for his pass-catching ability and burst in the open field. After playing college football for the Missouri Tigers, Badie entered the NFL when he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. He later signed with the Denver Broncos, where he has continued to carve out a role as a contributor on offense and special teams.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Badie was born and raised in New Orleans until his family was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The family relocated to Randallstown, Maryland, where Badie settled into a new community and began channeling his athletic energy into organized sports. Growing up, he was a sprinter for the Owings Mills Track Club and competed in the 2011 AAU Junior Olympics, an experience that sharpened his speed and competitive habits.
Following his junior year of high school, Badie’s family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, after his mother accepted a job in the area. He transferred to Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tennessee, and quickly emerged as a featured running back. As a junior, he rushed for 400 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries, and he closed his senior season with 193 carries for 1,186 yards and 18 touchdowns, drawing the attention of college recruiters.
Path to American Football
Badie’s blend of track speed and shiftiness made him a natural fit for the running back position, and his production at Briarcrest Christian earned him a scholarship to the University of Missouri. He joined the Missouri Tigers in 2018 and quickly earned a role in the backfield, finishing his freshman season on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team after recording 437 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 89 carries. He added 809 all-purpose yards that year, foreshadowing his future value as a dual-threat back.
Over the next three seasons, Badie continued to expand his receiving profile while remaining productive on the ground. He led Missouri with 32 receptions for 356 yards and five receiving touchdowns in one season and added 28 catches for 333 yards and two scores the following year. His 2021 senior campaign featured five games with more than 200 rushing yards, cementing his status as one of the top all-purpose backs in the SEC and leading to his selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Tyler Badie Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Badie played in 12 games as a freshman for the Missouri Tigers and immediately contributed as both a runner and a receiver. His ability to accumulate yards in space set him apart from traditional between-the-tackles backs, and he consistently ranked among the team’s leaders in all-purpose yards. By the time he reached his senior season, he had grown into a featured offensive weapon for the Tigers.
His 2021 performance brought national recognition, as he was named a Second-team All-American and a First-team All-SEC selection. Those honors reflected his production as a runner, his consistency in the passing game, and his reliability in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The accolades positioned him as a Draft-eligible prospect heading into the 2022 NFL cycle.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2022)
Tyler Badie was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round, 196th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Ravens valued his receiving skills and return-game potential, traits that had defined his college profile. He was waived on August 30, 2022, but was signed to the team’s practice squad the following day, keeping him within the organization as he worked to refine his role.
Denver Broncos Era (2022–Present)
On December 29, 2022, Badie was signed by the Denver Broncos off the Ravens’ practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He made his NFL debut in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers, scoring a 24-yard touchdown off a pass from Russell Wilson on his first career touch. That early highlight offered a glimpse of the big-play ability that had marked his college tape.
Badie navigated a series of roster moves in 2023 and 2024, including stints on the practice squad and elevations to the active roster. He was waived by the Broncos on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract in January 2024. After being waived again in August 2024 and re-signed the next day, he was elevated for the Broncos’ Week 2 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording one reception for 2 yards and one rush for 16 yards. He led the team in rushing with 70 yards on 9 carries in a Week 3 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, prompting Denver to formally sign him to the active roster on September 25, 2024. A back injury in Week 4 against the New York Jets sent him to injured reserve in October, and he was designated for return in late December. In March 2026, the Broncos placed an ERFA tender on Badie worth $1.075 million.
Driving Style and Strengths
Badie is at his best when working in space, where his track background translates into decisive cuts and acceleration through creases. His receiving skills allow coaches to deploy him on screens, swing routes, and check-down concepts, expanding the playbook for the Broncos’ offense. On special teams, his burst and field awareness have made him a capable kickoff returner.
Notable Events and Milestones
Badie’s first NFL touch, a 24-yard receiving touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, stands as the defining early highlight of his professional career. Reaching the Denver Broncos’ active roster in 2024 after multiple practice-squad stints marked another important milestone, underscoring his perseverance and continued development.
Tyler Badie Career Wins
Tyler Badie has accumulated individual recognition through his college achievements rather than through formal NFL win totals at this stage of his career. His Second-team All-American and First-team All-SEC honors in 2021 represent the most prominent accolades of his résumé.
Missouri Tigers Highlights
Badie finished his freshman season on the SEC All-Freshman team, an early marker of his consistency and playmaking ability. He closed his college career with five games of more than 200 rushing yards during his senior season, a stretch that helped earn him national and conference recognition.
Other Wins & Performances
Badie competed in the 2011 AAU Junior Olympics as a youth sprinter, an experience that helped establish his speed base. His senior high school totals of 1,186 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns showcased the scoring profile that would later translate to the college level.
Tyler Badie Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Badie was raised in a family that was uprooted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, an experience that shaped his resilience and adaptability. His mother played a central role in his development, accepting a job in Memphis that led the family to relocate and allowed Tyler to finish his high school career at Briarcrest Christian School.
Personal Life
Tyler Badie’s personal life remains largely private, and there are no publicly verified details about a spouse or children. His professional focus and journey through multiple practice-squad transitions reflect a steady commitment to his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Through the early portion of the 2025 season, Tyler Badie has continued to contribute for the Denver Broncos in a complementary backfield role. His elevation to the active roster in late September 2024 carried into the following campaign, and he has provided depth as both a runner and a pass-catcher. Listed at 5 ft 8 in and 197 lb, he remains one of the more compact backs on the roster, relying on quickness rather than power.
As of the most recent reporting, his career NFL totals include 20 rush attempts for 109 rushing yards, 23 receptions for 163 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown, and 452 return yards. Those numbers reflect a player still building volume but already demonstrating the versatility that defined his college career. The Broncos’ decision to tender him as an exclusive rights free agent in 2026 signals the organization’s belief in his long-term fit within the offensive and special-teams schemes.
Looking ahead, Badie’s outlook centers on expanding his offensive snap count and continuing to contribute on kickoff returns. With a defined role and a coaching staff familiar with his skill set, he is positioned to grow into a steadier presence in Denver’s backfield rotation.
