Marvin D. Mims Jr. Bio
Marvin D. Mims Jr. (born March 19, 2002) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). The Frisco, Texas native was selected by the Broncos in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic return specialists in professional football. Mims played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2020 to 2022 before beginning his professional career. He has earned multiple All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections in his first three seasons while becoming a versatile weapon in the Broncos offense.
Early Life and Background
Marvin D. Mims Jr. grew up in Frisco, Texas, with strong ties to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended Lone Star High School, where he developed into one of the most prolific high school receivers in the country. As a junior, Mims earned District 5-5A-I Offensive MVP honors after recording 1,158 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. His senior season cemented his status as an elite prospect on a national level.
In his final high school season, Mims set a national record with 2,629 receiving yards on 117 receptions, finding the end zone 32 times. He was named Mr. Texas Football and earned first-team USA Today High School All-American recognition. Mims finished his high school career with a Texas state record 5,485 receiving yards. He initially committed to play at Stanford University over offers from Notre Dame and TCU but decommitted during his senior year and chose to attend the University of Oklahoma instead.
Path to Professional Football
Mims joined the Oklahoma Sooners in January 2020 as an early enrollee, bypassing his final semester of high school to begin his college career. He made an immediate impact in his debut game against Missouri State, catching three passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. The following week against Kansas State, he scored two additional touchdowns. His freshman season concluded with team highs of 37 receptions, 610 receiving yards, and nine touchdown receptions, setting the school freshman record and earning second-team All-Big 12 honors along with Freshman All-American recognition.
As a sophomore during the 2021 season, Mims led the Sooners with 705 receiving yards on just 32 catches with five touchdowns. His efficiency and big-play ability continued to develop. During his junior season in 2022, Mims topped the team with 54 receptions for 1,083 yards, ranking sixth in the country with an impressive 20.1 yards per catch average and six scores across 13 games. He also contributed as a punt and kick returner, adding to his versatility. Following his standout junior campaign, Mims declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Marvin D. Mims Jr. Career
Rookie Season (2023)
Marvin D. Mims Jr. was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 63rd overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He joined a Broncos team looking to rebuild under new leadership and quickly found his role as a return specialist and offensive weapon. In his rookie debut, he made plays that hinted at his potential. By Week 2 against Washington, Mims recorded two receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown in a closely contested 35-33 game.
His most impactful performance came in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills. Mims returned two punts that directly led to touchdowns and added a 31-yard kick return, helping the Broncos secure a 24-22 victory. His clutch special teams work earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Despite a fumble in Week 16 that cost the team in a loss to New England, Mims showed accountability and maturity. He appeared in 16 games with seven starts, recording 22 receptions for 377 yards and one receiving touchdown while adding a kick return touchdown. His exceptional rookie season earned him Second-team All-Pro, a Pro Bowl selection, and PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.
Breakthrough Seasons (2024)
The 2024 season marked a significant evolution in Mims role within the Broncos offense. The coaching staff began deploying him at running back in certain formations, expanding his versatility. His biggest offensive moment came in Week 13 during a Monday Night Football matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Mims caught a 93-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bo Nix, showcasing his deep-threat ability and speed.
Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts became another signature performance. Mims recorded 97 punt return yards, including a pivotal 61-yard return in the fourth quarter that set up the game-winning score. The Broncos improved to 9-5 with that victory, securing their first winning season since 2016 and dramatically improving their playoff chances. Mims earned his second AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor for that performance.
For the 2024 season, Mims recorded 39 receptions for 503 yards and six receiving touchdowns, along with 13 rushes for 42 yards. As a returner, he led the entire NFL with 15.7 yards per punt return. He accumulated 408 punt return yards and 194 kick return yards. His exceptional season earned him First-team All-Pro recognition as a punt returner and a second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
Since joining the Broncos, Mims has become a cornerstone of their special teams unit and an increasingly important piece of their offensive attack. The franchise has valued his unique skill set, finding ways to maximize his abilities both as a return specialist and a versatile offensive player. His speed, elusiveness, and hands have made him a mismatch problem for opposing defenses.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mims possesses exceptional speed and elusiveness that make him a threat whenever he touches the ball. His abilities as a return specialist stand out, particularly his vision, patience, and acceleration through gaps. He demonstrates strong hands as a receiver and excellent deep-threat capability, with his college average of over 20 yards per reception translating to the professional level. His versatility allows the coaching staff to deploy him in multiple positions, creating mismatches and keeping defenses uncertain.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Mims most notable achievements are his multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, with his Week 10 performance against the Bills as a rookie and his Week 15 performance against the Colts in 2024 standing out as signature moments. His 93-yard touchdown reception against Cleveland demonstrated his ability to stretch the field. The Broncos playoff-clinching victory over Indianapolis, fueled significantly by his punt return ability, represented a turning point for a franchise seeking to return to postseason football.
Marvin D. Mims Jr. Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Marvin D. Mims Jr. has accumulated impressive statistics across receiving and special teams categories. His versatility has allowed him to contribute significantly in multiple facets of the game, from big-play receptions to game-changing returns.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Mims has recorded 98 career receptions for 1,202 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He has also contributed 150 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, demonstrating his expanding role in the offense. As a return specialist, he has accumulated 2,421 return yards with two return touchdowns, with his punt return ability being particularly exceptional. His 2024 season saw him lead the NFL with 15.7 yards per punt return. He earned First-team All-Pro honors in 2024 and Second-team All-Pro recognition in 2023, along with consecutive Pro Bowl selections.
College and Additional Achievements
Before his professional career, Mims built an impressive collegiate resume at Oklahoma. Over three seasons, he recorded 123 receptions for 2,398 yards and 20 touchdowns. His freshman season set the Oklahoma freshman record with nine touchdown receptions. He earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022 and Second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2020.
| League | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs | Return Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2023–2025) | 98 | 1,202 | 8 | 2,421 |
| College (2020–2022) | 123 | 2,398 | 20 | — |
Marvin D. Mims Jr. Family
Family Background
Marvin D. Mims Jr. family roots trace back to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, though he grew up primarily in Frisco, Texas. His upbringing in the football-rich state of Texas helped foster his passion and development for the sport from an early age.
Personal Life
During his formative years, Mims grew up watching the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys, developing an appreciation for professional football that would later shape his career aspirations. He continues to engage with fans through social media while focusing on his development as a professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has seen Marvin D. Mims Jr. continue his progression as one of the premier return specialists in the NFL. Early in the season, he demonstrated his ability to change games with his special teams play. His continued development as a receiver and his expanding role in the offense have made him an increasingly valuable asset for the Broncos.
In Week 14 of the 2025 season, Mims achieved a personal milestone by scoring his first career punt return touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders. This long-awaited achievement highlighted his persistence and excellence as a returner, as he had consistently generated significant yardage without reaching the end zone on punts until that moment. Following that performance, he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the third time in his career, further cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous return specialists in the league.
With his first three seasons establishing him as a consistent playmaker and award winner, Mims has positioned himself as a foundational piece for the Broncos future. His combination of return skills, receiving ability, and versatility provides the team with unique tactical options. As he enters his prime years, expectations continue to grow for him to become an even more significant contributor both on special teams and offense while helping the Broncos return to postseason contention.