Joshua Kelley

Joshua Tyler Kelley Bio

Joshua Tyler Kelley is an American professional football running back who has played for multiple National Football League teams since entering the league in 2020. He began his college football journey at the University of California, Davis before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he established himself as one of the most productive running backs in the Pac-12 Conference. Kelley was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has since contributed as a depth back for the New York Giants and currently the Tennessee Titans.

Early Life and Background

Joshua Tyler Kelley was born on November 20, 1997, in Inglewood, California. He was raised by his mother, Jacqueline, who worked as a speech pathologist at an elementary school, and his older brother, Daniel. His mother raised both boys as a single parent. Growing up in Lancaster in Los Angeles County, Kelley developed a passion for football from an early age and became a fan of UCLA. His connection to the university ran deep, as his mother volunteered at UCLA and other family members had ties to the institution, including an aunt and uncle who studied there, with his uncle having played on the Bruins baseball team.

Kelley attended Eastside High School in Lancaster, California, where he made his mark as a standout running back. During his final two seasons with the Lions, he rushed for 1,903 yards and 22 touchdowns. As a senior, he earned first-team all-conference honors in the Golden League and was named the conference running back of the year, establishing himself as a promising college prospect.

Path to American Football

Despite his success in high school, Kelley was only rated as a two-star recruit and was ranked as the No. 232 running back in the class of 2015. UC Davis, a Football Championship Subdivision program, was the only school that offered him a scholarship. Beginning his career at the FCS level, Kelley played for the Aggies and dealt with injuries while sharing playing time with fellow running back Manusomo Luuga. He was a year younger than most of his fellow freshmen during his first season and did not receive a full scholarship until his sophomore year.

After the 2016 season, Kelley relinquished his scholarship and transferred from UC Davis following a coaching change that saw head coach Ron Gould and his staff fired. Although the new coaching staff wanted him to stay, Kelley challenged himself to reach college football’s highest level. As part of his release from UC Davis, he was permitted to transfer to only two California schools: UCLA and USC. He also received interest from Boise State but ultimately chose to walk on at UCLA, joining the Bruins in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Joshua Tyler Kelley Career

College Career at UCLA (2017-2019)

Kelley signed as a walk-on with the Bruins and redshirted the 2017 season due to transfer rules, serving on the scout team. When UCLA replaced head coach Jim L. Mora with Chip Kelly before the 2018 season, Kelley received a scholarship from the new coaching staff. He did not play much early in the season, managing just 11 carries for 27 yards in the first two games and being benched against Fresno State after underperforming in practice.

Following an open week in UCLA’s schedule, Kelley regrouped and ran for 124 yards on just 12 carries against Colorado in Week 4. He emerged as the Bruins’ top offensive player over the final two months of the season, compiling six 100-yard games. His standout performance came against USC, where he rushed for a career-high 289 yards on 40 carries to help the Bruins earn their first win in four years in the crosstown rivalry. The 289 rushing yards represented the most rushing yards for a player on either team in the history of the rivalry and included a 61-yard touchdown run. Kelley finished the 2018 season with 1,243 rushing yards, ranking 10th in UCLA single-season history, and his 113 rushing yards per game placed fourth in the Pac-12 and ninth nationally. He scored 12 touchdowns to rank second in the conference and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 while being named UCLA’s most valuable player.

In 2019, Kelley returned for his senior year after considering the NFL draft. He injured his right knee during training camp and missed most of preseason, sitting out the season opener against Cincinnati. He bounced back strongly, running for 164 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in an upset win over No. 24 Arizona State in late October. Kelley finished the season with 1,060 rushing yards against Cal, becoming the eighth player in UCLA history to rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. His 96.4 rushing yards per game and 12 touchdowns both ranked second in the Pac-12 behind Zack Moss of Utah. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors, being the only Bruin named to either the first or second team. Kelley ended his UCLA career with 2,303 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 454 carries. He later played in the Senior Bowl, recording 105 yards on 15 carries to improve his draft stock.

Los Angeles Chargers (2020-2023)

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Kelley in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 112th overall pick. He competed with Justin Jackson for the backup role behind starting running back Austin Ekeler. In his NFL debut during the 2020 season opener, Kelley had 60 rushing yards on 12 carries and scored the team’s only touchdown on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter of a 16-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. He continued his strong start with 113 scrimmage yards the following week against the Kansas City Chiefs, compiling 64 rushing yards and 49 receiving yards.

However, Kelley struggled after fumbling in consecutive weeks against the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which damaged his confidence and led to a decrease in playing time. In 2021, he was listed as inactive in the season opener as rookie Larry Rountree III earned the No. 3 running back spot. Kelley appeared in 10 games that season, finishing with 33 carries for 102 yards and five receptions for 38 yards. In 2022, Kelley entered training camp in better physical condition after dedicating himself to improvement during the offseason. He began the season behind Sony Michel as Ekeler’s primary backup but saw increased opportunities in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns, recording 49 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries while adding two catches for 33 yards. He suffered an MCL sprain in Week 6 and was placed on injured reserve before being activated later in the season.

New York Giants (2024)

On August 15, 2024, Kelley signed with the New York Giants. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was released as part of the team’s preliminary roster cuts on August 25, 2024, ending his brief tenure with the Giants.

Tennessee Titans (2024-Present)

Kelley joined the Tennessee Titans organization on October 15, 2024, signing with their practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 2, 2024, and appeared in three games during the 2024 season. The move provided the Titans with experienced depth at the running back position as the season progressed.

Running Style and Strengths

Kelley is known for his patience behind the offensive line and his ability to find creases in the defense. His vision allows him to read blocks effectively, while his competitiveness and work ethic have driven his persistence through challenges throughout his career. His experience at both the FCS and FBS levels provided him with a diverse skill set, and his contributions in both the running and passing games make him a versatile option for offenses.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Kelley’s most notable college achievement came in 2018 when he posted the most rushing yards in the history of the UCLA-USC rivalry with his 289-yard performance against the Trojans. He became just the eighth player in UCLA history to record consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and his 2,303 career rushing yards with the Bruins rank among the program leaders. In the NFL, his standout performance came in his professional debut against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he scored his first professional touchdown while contributing 60 rushing yards.

Joshua Tyler Kelley Career Statistics

Across his NFL career through the 2024 season, Kelley has accumulated 1,150 rushing yards on 319 carries, averaging 3.6 yards per attempt with 6 rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed 50 receptions for 319 receiving yards, demonstrating his ability to contribute in the passing game. His professional career has been characterized by perseverance through adversity, including injuries and position battles, while continuing to provide value as a depth running back.

College Highlights

Kelley’s collegiate career at UCLA included 2,303 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 454 carries over two seasons. His 2018 season totals of 1,243 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns represented the 10th-highest single-season rushing total in UCLA history. In 2019, he earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors, becoming the only Bruin named to either the first or second team. His career-high 289 rushing yards against USC in 2018 remains the record for the rivalry.

Professional Career Summary

In the NFL, Kelley has appeared in games with the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans. His best statistical season came during his rookie year with the Chargers, where he made an immediate impact in the season opener against the Bengals. Career NFL statistics include 1,150 rushing yards, 6 rushing touchdowns, 50 receptions, and 319 receiving yards through the 2024 season.

Joshua Tyler Kelley Family

Family Background

Kelley was raised by his mother, Jacqueline Kelley, who worked as a speech pathologist at an elementary school in the Los Angeles area. His mother supported him and his older brother, Daniel, as a single parent. Despite the challenges of being raised by a single mother, Kelley has spoken about the importance of her support in his football journey. His family connections to UCLA, including his mother’s volunteer work and his aunt and uncle’s attendance at the university, created the foundation for his eventual transfer to and success with the Bruins.

Personal Life

Kelley is a Christian and has credited his faith for helping him navigate the challenges of his football career. He is married to Mikaela Kelley. The couple maintains a relatively private personal life away from the football field. Kelley has been open about his Christian beliefs and the role they play in his daily life and athletic pursuits.

2025 Season Performance

Entering the 2025 season, Joshua Tyler Kelley continues his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans organization. Having signed with the team in October 2024 and earning promotion from the practice squad to the active roster, Kelley looks to build on his experience and contribute to the Titans’ running back rotation. His veteran presence and versatility provide depth at the position as the team develops its offensive strategy for the upcoming campaign.

Kelley’s journey from a lightly recruited two-star prospect at UC Davis to a productive NFL running back demonstrates his resilience and determination. He has overcome multiple obstacles throughout his career, including injuries, position battles, and being waived and signed multiple times. The 2025 season presents an opportunity for him to showcase his abilities with a team that has invested in his development.