Isaiah Leroy Likely Bio
Isaiah Leroy Likely (born April 17, 2000) is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft after a standout college career at Coastal Carolina University. Likely has established himself as a reliable receiving threat at the tight end position, combining size and athleticism to make an impact in the passing game at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Isaiah Leroy Likely was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on April 17, 2000. He grew up in the Boston area and attended Malden High School for his junior year, where he demonstrated his receiving abilities by catching 59 passes for 917 yards with 11 touchdowns during that season. He later transferred to Everett High School for his senior year, continuing his development as a high school football player in the competitive Massachusetts prep football landscape.
Path to American Football
After graduating from Everett High School, Likely pursued collegiate football opportunities and ultimately chose to attend Coastal Carolina University. He played for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers from 2018 to 2021, where he developed into one of the most productive tight ends in the Group of Five conferences. His progression through the Chanticleers program showcased his ability to make contested catches and create mismatches against defensive players.
Isaiah Leroy Likely Career
College Career (2018–2021)
During his freshman season in 2018, Likely appeared in seven games and caught 12 passes for 106 yards with five touchdowns, showing early promise as a red-zone target. As a sophomore in 2019, he significantly expanded his role in the offense, finishing the season with 32 receptions for 431 receiving yards and five touchdowns. His performance earned him third-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors, establishing him as a key component of Coastal Carolina’s passing attack.
Likely’s breakout campaign came in his junior season of 2020, when he earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and was named second-team All-American by Pro Football Focus. He caught 30 passes for 601 yards and five touchdowns that season, including a three-reception, 118-yard performance with one touchdown in a victory over Appalachian State. His senior season in 2021 proved to be his most productive, as he caught 59 passes for 912 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns while repeating as a first-team All-Sun Belt selection. He tied an NCAA record for the longest touchdown reception with a 99-yard grab against Arkansas State, a game where he caught eight passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns and earned Sun Belt Player of the Week honors. Likely led the Sun Belt Conference in receiving touchdowns during the 2021 season.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2022–2025)
Likely was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round with the 141st overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, continuing his journey from Massachusetts high schools to the professional ranks. He spent his rookie season as the second tight end on the depth chart behind Mark Andrews, appearing in 16 games with two starts. He caught his first NFL touchdown during a Week 8 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and recorded eight receptions for 103 yards in the regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. Overall, his rookie year produced 36 receptions for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
The 2023 season saw Likely once again serve as the backup to Mark Andrews early in the year, but his role expanded dramatically when Andrews suffered a severe ankle injury in Week 11. Likely became the lead tight end and made the most of his opportunity, recording 21 receptions for 322 yards and five touchdowns during the final six games of the regular season. His best performance came in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams, where he had five receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown in an overtime victory. He recorded his first multi-touchdown game in Week 17, catching two passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Miami Dolphins. He finished the 2023 season with 30 receptions for 411 yards and five touchdowns, carrying that momentum into the postseason where he recorded a receiving touchdown in the Divisional Round victory over the Houston Texans.
In the 2024 season, Likely established himself as a consistent playmaker in the Ravens offense. He opened the year with a career-high 111 receiving yards on nine receptions with one touchdown in a Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, nearly scoring the potential game-winning touchdown as time expired. He recorded two receiving touchdowns in a Week 5 overtime victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished the 2024 season with 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns, including a receiving touchdown in the Divisional Round loss to the Buffalo Bills. During the 2025 season, Likely required surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot, causing him to miss six weeks and the Ravens’ first three games. He returned in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs and appeared in 14 games total, finishing with 27 receptions for 307 yards and one touchdown. He recorded a 60-yard game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8, though he also had a costly fumble at the one-yard line during a Thanksgiving matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Driving Style and Strengths
Likely’s playing style emphasizes his ability to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties due to his combination of size and speed. He demonstrates reliable hands and excels at high-pointing passes in contested situations. His experience in Coastal Carolina’s offense translated well to the NFL, where he proved capable of contributing both as a traditional inline tight end and in split receiver alignments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several moments define Likely’s early NFL career, including his first professional touchdown against Tampa Bay in his rookie season, his emergence as a starting-caliber tight end following Mark Andrews’ injury in 2023, and his overtime performance against the Los Angeles Rams that season. His near game-winning catch against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 of the 2024 season showcased his ability to make plays in crucial moments.
Isaiah Leroy Likely Career Statistics
Through his four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens from 2022 to 2025, Likely established himself as a productive receiving option at the tight end position, accumulating meaningful statistics across both the regular season and postseason.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
In four seasons with the Ravens, Likely appeared in 59 games and recorded 135 receptions for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns. His rookie season included 36 catches for 373 yards and three scores, while his 2023 breakout year featured 30 receptions for 411 yards and five touchdowns. His most productive season came in 2024 with 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns. He also recorded playoff receptions including a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the 2023 Divisional Round and another against the Buffalo Bills in the 2024 Divisional Round.
College Career Highlights
Likely finished his Coastal Carolina career as one of the most decorated tight ends in program history. He accumulated 132 receptions for 2,050 yards and 27 touchdowns across four seasons. His senior season was his best, with 59 receptions for 912 yards and 12 touchdowns earning him first-team All-Sun Belt honors for the second consecutive year. The 99-yard touchdown reception he recorded against Arkansas State tied an NCAA record and demonstrated his deep-threat ability.
| Level | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2022–2025) | 135 | 1,568 | 15 |
| College (2018–2021) | 132 | 2,050 | 27 |
Isaiah Leroy Likely Family
Family Background
Limited verified information is available regarding Likely’s family background or racing lineage, as he has maintained relatively private personal details throughout his public career. His upbringing in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area provided him with access to competitive football programs that helped develop his skills before his collegiate career.
Personal Life
Likely has not publicly disclosed extensive details about his personal relationships or family life. He has remained focused on his athletic career since entering the NFL. He continues to work on establishing himself as a consistent contributor at the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented challenges for Likely as he worked to build upon his previous two productive years with the Ravens. A broken foot injury suffered in late July required surgery and forced him to miss the first three games of the regular season, disrupting his early momentum. Upon returning in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he saw limited targets in his first few games back. He showed flashes of his ability with a 60-yard performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8, demonstrating his speed and ability to create separation. However, a fumble at the one-yard line during a Thanksgiving matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals proved costly and resulted in a touchback. The Ravens’ season did not yield the playoff results they had hoped for, and Likely’s statistical output decreased compared to his 2024 breakout season. Despite the setbacks, his durability remained solid as he appeared in 14 games, and his talent suggests he can return to form as a productive receiving tight end in the right situation.