Tykevius Chandler Bio
Tykevius Chandler is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He previously spent four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Chandler established himself as a standout college player at both the University of Tennessee and the University of North Carolina, where he earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2021. He has contributed as a ball carrier and return specialist throughout his professional career, showcasing versatility in the offensive backfield.
Early Life and Background
Chandler was born on May 12, 1998, in Nashville, Tennessee. He attended Montgomery Bell Academy in his hometown, where he developed into one of the most decorated high school football players in Tennessee history. During his junior and senior seasons, Chandler was named Tennessee Mr. Football, an honor that recognized him as the top high school football player in the state. His exceptional performance in high school laid the foundation for his collegiate career and demonstrated his potential as a future professional player.
Path to Professional Football
Following his standout high school career, Chandler enrolled at the University of Tennessee, where he played for the Volunteers from 2017 to 2020. He appeared under head coaches Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt during his tenure in Knoxville. In the 2018 season, Chandler made history by becoming the first running back in Tennessee school history to record a receiving touchdown in three consecutive games. Over his four seasons with the Volunteers, he accumulated 2,046 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
After completing his senior season at Tennessee, Chandler entered the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately committed to the University of North Carolina. He joined the Tar Heels as a graduate transfer under head coach Mack Brown for the 2021 season. This move proved pivotal for his professional prospects, as he demonstrated his ability to excel at the Power Five level with a new program.
Tykevius Chandler Career
College Career at North Carolina (2021)
Chandler’s lone season with the North Carolina Tar Heels proved to be his most impactful at the collegiate level. He showcased his dual-threat ability by recording five games with multiple touchdowns. His standout performances included a 198-yard rushing game against Virginia and a remarkable 213-yard performance against Wake Forest, where he also scored four rushing touchdowns. For the season, Chandler rushed for 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns on 182 carries. His consistency and big-play ability earned him second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition, validating his decision to transfer and demonstrating his readiness for the professional ranks.
Minnesota Vikings (2022–2025)
Chandler was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 169th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His rookie season was cut short due to injury, as he was placed on injured reserve on October 11, 2022, with a thumb injury. He was activated on December 28 and appeared in three games during his debut season, recording 20 rushing yards in the Week 18 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
The 2023 season marked Chandler’s breakthrough at the professional level. He began the year as the second-string running back behind Alexander Mattison but worked his way into a more prominent role. In Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints, he scored his first professional touchdown on a two-yard rush. His most impressive performance came in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he made his first NFL start and rushed for a career-high 132 yards on 23 carries. Chandler appeared in all 17 games that season, starting the final four, and finished with 461 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Heading into the 2025 season, Chandler faced increased competition for playing time, sliding down the depth chart behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. He suffered a knee injury in the season opener against the Chicago Bears and was placed on injured reserve on September 11, 2025. He was activated on December 23 ahead of Week 17 against the Detroit Lions.
New Orleans Saints (2026–Present)
On March 17, 2026, Chandler signed a one-year contract worth $1.215 million with the New Orleans Saints. This move represented a new chapter in his professional career, joining a new franchise where he could compete for playing time in a different offensive system.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chandler displays a balanced skill set as a running back, combining decisive cutting ability with enough power to break through arm tackles. His experience as a kickoff returner demonstrates his ability to handle the ball in space and navigate through traffic. At North Carolina, he proved he could handle significant workloads, recording 182 carries in a single season while also contributing as a receiver out of the backfield. His vision and patience allow him to identify holes before they fully develop, and he maintains speed through the second level of defenses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Chandler’s career highlights include his historic tenure at Tennessee, where he became the first running back in school history to post receiving touchdowns in three consecutive games. His 213-yard performance against Wake Forest in 2021 showcased his ability to take over games, and his first NFL start against Cincinnati resulted in a career-best rushing performance. Being selected in the 2022 NFL Draft fulfilled his professional football ambitions, and his three-touchdown 2023 season demonstrated his continued development at the highest level.
Tykevius Chandler Career Statistics
Through his first four NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Chandler has established himself as a reliable contributor in the offensive backfield. His professional career totals reflect his versatility as both a runner and receiver.
NFL Career Highlights
Chandler’s most productive professional season came in 2023, when he appeared in all 17 games and recorded 461 rushing yards and three touchdowns while adding 30 receptions for 212 receiving yards. His career totals include 710 rushing yards on 3.9 yards per carry, along with 386 return yards. His Week 15 performance against the Bengals, where he rushed for 132 yards, stands as the pinnacle of his professional career to date.
College Career Summary
Over five collegiate seasons at Tennessee and North Carolina, Chandler combined for 3,138 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. His 2021 season at UNC at 6.0 yards per carry efficiency demonstrated his ability to make an immediate impact at a new program.
| Competition Level | Games | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season | 20+ | 710 | 3 |
| College (Tennessee + UNC) | 5 seasons | 3,138 | 26 |
Tykevius Chandler Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public records do not provide detailed information about Chandler’s family background or racing lineage. As an American football player rather than a racing competitor, this section is not applicable to his career profile.
Personal Life
Chandler grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and attended Montgomery Bell Academy, where he excelled academically and athletically. He pursued higher education at the collegiate level, eventually completing his degree at the University of North Carolina as a graduate transfer. Details regarding his marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season presented challenges for Chandler with the Minnesota Vikings. Entering training camp as the third-string running back behind established veterans Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, his path to significant playing time narrowed considerably. The season opener against the Chicago Bears proved unfortunate, as Chandler suffered a knee injury that required him to be placed on injured reserve on September 11.
Chandler remained on injured reserve for most of the season before being activated on December 23, ahead of the Vikings’ Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions. This late-season activation provided him an opportunity to contribute in the final stretch of the regular season. The injury setback interrupted whatever momentum he had built heading into the campaign and reinforced the competitive nature of the NFL running back position.