Tyreik McAllister is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist who has played for teams in both the National Football League and the Canadian Football League. He played college football for the Charleston Golden Eagles and was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2022. McAllister has established himself as an electric return specialist, leading the CFL in kick return average during his season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He most recently spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders organization.
Tyreik McAllister Bio
Tyreik McAllister is a professional football player who has built his career through versatility and playmaking ability. Born on April 7, 1998, in Latta, South Carolina, he developed his skills at the high school level before advancing to NCAA Division II football at the University of Charleston. After going undrafted in 2022, he signed with the Denver Broncos and has since played for multiple NFL and CFL teams. His ability to contribute as both a receiver and return specialist has made him a valuable asset on special teams units throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Tyreik McAllister was born on April 7, 1998, in Latta, South Carolina. He attended Latta High School in his hometown, where he competed in football, basketball, and track. He was an all-conference football player during his time at Latta. After graduating, he spent a postgraduate season at Palmetto Prep in Columbia, South Carolina, to further develop his athletic abilities before moving to the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Football
McAllister enrolled at the University of Charleston, an NCAA Division II school in West Virginia, where he played for the Charleston Golden Eagles football team. He saw his first collegiate action as a freshman in 2017, appearing in games at both running back and in the return game. His early college career showed promise as he contributed in multiple facets of the game, demonstrating the versatility that would define his professional career.
Tyreik McAllister Career
College Career at Charleston (2017–2021)
McAllister arrived at the University of Charleston as a freshman in 2017 and made an immediate impact. He carried the ball seven times for 23 yards, caught 22 passes for 193 yards, and returned 13 kicks for 242 yards that season. In 2018, he improved his receiving numbers to 20 catches for 276 yards and one touchdown while adding five rushes for 35 yards.
His breakout season came in 2019 when he was named first-team All-Mountain East Conference. He ran for 1,119 yards and 11 touchdowns in just 10 games, establishing himself as one of the top running backs in the conference. McAllister continued to develop his all-around game during the 2020-21 season, appearing in three games while accumulating 36 rushes for 214 yards with two rushing touchdowns and 15 catches for 129 yards.
As a senior in 2021, McAllister posted his most impressive collegiate statistics. He ran for 1,090 yards and 13 touchdowns with an average of 7.62 yards-per-carry that ranked third nationally. He led the Mountain East Conference in both rushing yards and touchdowns while also totaling 32 receptions for 302 yards. His all-purpose yards average of 142.8 per game placed 16th at the Division II level. For his outstanding season, he was named first-team All-MEC, first-team D2CCA All-Region, and the MEC Offensive Player of the Year. Primarily a running back throughout his college career, McAllister finished with 2,561 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns with an average of 7.2 yards-per-carry, along with 113 receptions for 1,047 yards and four touchdowns.
Denver Broncos (2022)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, McAllister signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived and placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury during the roster cutdown period. He was signed to the Broncos practice squad later in the season and spent time moving between the practice squad and the active roster. He signed a reserve/future contract with Denver following the 2022 season to remain with the organization into 2023.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2023)
McAllister signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League on June 14, 2023. He made the team and appeared in 16 games during the CFL season, becoming one of the top return specialists in the league. He was converted from his college position of running back to slotback to fit the Tiger-Cats offensive scheme. In his gadget role on offense, he contributed 13 rushes for 52 yards and 27 catches for 364 yards and two touchdowns. As a returner, he totaled 41 kick returns with an average of 25.3 yards, 56 punt returns with an average of 10.8 yards, and seven missed field goal returns for 408 yards and one touchdown. He led the CFL in kick return average and all-purpose yards during his debut season in Canada.
Las Vegas Raiders (2024–2025)
Following his successful CFL season, McAllister signed a reserve/future contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on January 16, 2024. He impressed the coaching staff during training camp and the preseason. In the team’s preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers, he delivered a standout performance by returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown and adding a 35-yard touchdown reception. These plays showcased his speed, vision, and playmaking ability on both offense and special teams. He was waived during the regular season but was re-signed to the Raiders practice squad. He signed another reserve/future contract with Las Vegas in January 2025 to continue his tenure with the organization, though he was waived again in May 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
McAllister brings versatility and playmaking ability to every team he joins. His transition from running back in college to slotback in the CFL demonstrated his adaptability and football intelligence. His greatest strength lies in his return game, where his speed, elusiveness, and vision allow him to create explosive plays. He has shown reliable hands as a receiver and the ability to make defenders miss in space. His experience playing multiple positions gives defensive coordinators headaches when game planning against him.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most memorable professional moment came during the 2024 NFL preseason when he returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. Throughout his CFL tenure with Hamilton, he consistently ranked among the league leaders in return statistics, including a standout missed field goal return for 408 yards and a touchdown. His college career was highlighted by his senior season in 2021 when he earned MEC Offensive Player of the Year honors while leading the conference in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Tyreik McAllister Career Statistics
McAllister has accumulated impressive statistics across both the CFL and NFL during his professional career. His all-purpose yards production has remained consistently high due to his contributions as a receiver, rusher, and return specialist. His career highlight remains his 2023 CFL season with Hamilton where he led the league in kick return average and demonstrated his ability to make an impact in multiple facets of the game.
CFL Highlights
During his 2023 season with Hamilton, McAllister appeared in 16 games and established himself as one of the CFL’s most dangerous return specialists. He led the entire league in kick return average at 25.3 yards per return. He also led the CFL in all-purpose yards during that season. His 408-yard missed field goal return touchdown showcased his ability to make plays in unique situations. As a receiver, he caught 27 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns while adding 52 rushing yards on 13 carries.
College Statistics
McAllister finished his collegiate career at Charleston with 2,561 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground while averaging 7.2 yards per carry. He also caught 113 passes for 1,047 yards and four touchdowns through the air. His most productive season came in 2021 when he earned MEC Offensive Player of the Year honors while ranking third nationally in yards per carry.
| League | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs | Return TDs | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFL (2023) | 364 | 2 | 1 | 16 |
Tyreik McAllister Family
Education
McAllister attended Latta High School in Latta, South Carolina, where he excelled in multiple sports including football, basketball, and track. After high school, he spent a postgraduate year at Palmetto Prep in Columbia, South Carolina, before enrolling at the University of Charleston. He played five seasons for the Charleston Golden Eagles from 2017 through 2021, primarily at the running back position.
2025 Season Outlook
Following his time with the Las Vegas Raiders organization, McAllister continues to pursue opportunities in professional football. His 2023 CFL campaign with Hamilton proved he can be an impact player at the professional level, leading the league in kick return average and ranking among the top all-purpose yards producers. His versatility as both a receiver and return specialist makes him an attractive option for teams seeking special teams contributors. His standout preseason performance with the Raiders, including an 81-yard punt return touchdown, demonstrated he can translate his skills to the NFL level. McAllister remains focused on continuing his professional career and showcasing the playmaking ability that has defined his time in both the CFL and NFL.