Devon Key Bio
Devon Key (born October 28, 1997) is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2021 NFL draft. Key has built a reputation as a core special teams contributor throughout his NFL career, eventually earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Devon Key was born on October 28, 1997, in Lexington, Kentucky. He attended Bryan Station High School in Lexington, where he played on both offense and defense. He was rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, 247sports.com, and Scout.com coming out of high school. His football lineage runs deep in his family, as his father, Donte Key, played for the University of Kentucky. His younger brother, Dane Key, also pursued football at the collegiate level as a wide receiver at the University of Kentucky.
Path to American Football
Following his senior year of high school, Key accepted a scholarship offer from Western Kentucky University. He spent his first year in 2016 as a redshirt, allowing him to develop and adjust to the college level without losing a year of eligibility. This redshirt season provided him with valuable time to acclimate to the speed and physical demands of Division I football.
Devon Key Career
College Career at Western Kentucky (2016–2020)
As a redshirt-freshman in 2017, Key became a starting safety to begin the season. He made 94 tackles (44 solo, 50 assisted) to rank second on his team and 16th in the conference. He recorded at least nine tackles in five different games and made his first career interception in the end zone on November 11 at Marshall. He finished the season with a career-high 12 tackles on September 9 at Illinois.
Key started all 12 games as a sophomore in 2018, compiling 71 tackles to lead the team’s defensive backs. He also recorded a team-leading three interceptions, with his first interception against Maine returned for a 45-yard touchdown. He added interceptions during the final two season games and was named All-Conference USA honorable mention following the season.
As a junior in 2019, Key started 13 games and made 93 tackles, third on the team. He recorded his second career interception return touchdown against Arkansas in November and again earned All-Conference USA honorable mention. During his senior season in 2020, he started every game and broke the FBS-era team record for career tackles with 350. He finished the year with 92 tackles and was named second-team All-Conference USA.
Kansas City Chiefs (2021)
After going unselected in the 2021 NFL draft, Key was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. He was released at roster cuts and signed to the practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs on February 2, 2022. On August 30, 2022, Key was waived by the Chiefs.
Atlanta Falcons (2022)
On November 15, 2022, Key was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. He was released from the practice squad approximately a week later.
Denver Broncos Era (2022–Present)
On December 20, 2022, Key was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Denver on January 9, 2023. On August 29, 2023, Key was waived by the Broncos and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed another reserve/future contract with Denver on January 8, 2024.
Key made the Broncos 53-man roster to start the 2024 season. He played in his first NFL game in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks and made his first career start in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens, filling in for an injured Brandon Jones. Serving as the Broncos’ second-string free safety and a core special teamer, Key recorded 33 tackles and a sack over the course of the season.
On March 4, 2025, the Broncos assigned Key’s exclusive-rights free agent tender, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season. After a standout season as a special teams ace in 2025, Key was named first-team All-Pro, the highest honor of his professional career. On March 6, 2026, the Broncos once again assigned his ERFA tender worth $1.075 million.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Key plays in the NFL rather than motorsports, his strengths as a safety lie in his tackling ability, football IQ, and versatility in coverage. His special teams prowess stems from his discipline, pursuit to the ball, and ability to contribute on multiple units. His experience as a starting safety at Western Kentucky, where he accumulated over 350 career tackles, translated directly to his effectiveness as a core special teamer at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key’s journey from undrafted free agent to first-team All-Pro represents his most significant milestone. His 2025 All-Pro selection marks the pinnacle of his career, recognizing his impact on special teams. His first career interception in college at Marshall, returned for a touchdown, and his record-setting tackle total at Western Kentucky remain notable achievements in his football career.
Devon Key Career Wins
Throughout his career, Key has accumulated statistical achievements at both the collegiate and professional levels. His college career at Western Kentucky saw him become the FBS-era record holder for career tackles at the program, while his professional career has been highlighted by consistent special teams contributions.
Professional Highlights
In the NFL, Key has appeared in multiple seasons with the Broncos, primarily contributing on special teams while also serving as a backup safety. His 2025 first-team All-Pro selection stands as his most prestigious professional honor. Throughout his NFL career through 2025, Key has recorded 61 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass deflection in regular season play.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Key’s performance at Western Kentucky earned him second-team All-Conference USA honors in 2020. He was also named All-Conference USA honorable mention in both 2018 and 2019. His three-interception season as a sophomore and his record-setting career tackle total remain highlights of his college career.
| Competition Level | Category | Statistics |
|---|---|---|
| College (Western Kentucky) | Career Tackles | 350 (FBS-era record) |
| College (Western Kentucky) | Interceptions (Career) | 6 |
| NFL (Career through 2025) | Total Tackles | 61 |
| NFL (Career through 2025) | Sacks | 1 |
Devon Key Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Devon Key comes from a football family with strong ties to the sport in Kentucky. His father, Donte Key, played college football for the University of Kentucky. This family connection to football provided Devon with early exposure and guidance as he developed his own career path in the sport.
Personal Life
Key and his girlfriend have two children together. Their first child, a son, was born in August 2020. The couple has since welcomed another child. Key’s younger brother, Dane Key, followed a similar path, playing as a wide receiver at the University of Kentucky. Dane Key is currently on the Denver Broncos roster, making the brothers teammates on the same NFL team.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Devon Key with the Denver Broncos. Serving as the team’s primary special teams ace, Key delivered consistent and impactful performances week after week. His ability to contribute on multiple special teams units while also serving as a backup safety made him invaluable to the Broncos’ coaching staff. The Broncos valued Key enough to assign him the exclusive-rights free agent tender in March 2025, ensuring he would remain with the team through the season.
Key’s performance throughout the 2025 season caught the attention of voters across the league, culminating in his selection as a first-team All-Pro. This honor recognized him among the very best at his position in the entire NFL, a remarkable achievement for a player who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021. His All-Pro selection validated years of persistence and steady improvement since his arrival in the league.
Looking ahead, Key returned to the Broncos in 2026 after the team once again assigned his ERFA tender worth $1.075 million. This guaranteed contract reflects the Broncos’ continued confidence in Key’s abilities and his importance to the team’s special teams core. With his All-Pro recognition now on his resume, Key enters the 2026 season as a proven asset for the Broncos organization.