Tejhaun Palmer Bio
Tejhaun Palmer is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 19, 2000, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Palmer developed his football skills in his hometown before advancing through the junior college ranks and ultimately reaching the NCAA Division I level. His journey through Snow College and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) prepared him for the professional ranks. The Arizona Cardinals selected Palmer in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 191st overall pick, marking the culmination of his transition from high school prospect to NFL player.
Early Life and Background
Tejhaun Palmer grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he attended Brown Deer High School. During his time at Brown Deer, Palmer honed his skills as a wide receiver, developing the athletic foundation that would carry him to the next level of his football career. His performance in high school caught the attention of college scouts, leading him to pursue opportunities beyond his home state.
After graduating from Brown Deer High School, Palmer committed to play college football at Snow College, a junior college in Ephraim, Utah. This decision marked the first step in his journey toward becoming a professional athlete, as he looked to showcase his talent against junior college competition before potentially transferring to a four-year program.
Path to the NFL
Palmer spent his first three seasons of college football at Snow College, suiting up for the Badgers from 2018 to 2020. At Snow, he emerged as a dynamic offensive weapon, demonstrating his ability to make plays down the field. His statistics reflected his impact on the game, as he recorded 32 receptions for 697 yards and 11 touchdowns during his tenure with the program.
Following his success at the junior college level, Palmer transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to continue his football career at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. He joined the UAB Blazers for the 2021 season and immediately began contributing to the team’s offensive schemes.
His 2021 season saw him record six receptions for 72 yards in limited action. The following year, Palmer increased his production significantly, catching 30 passes for 479 yards and two touchdowns. His consistent improvement throughout his college career culminated in a standout 2023 season, which earned him third-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) honors. After his final college season, Palmer participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl, a prestigious all-star game that showcases top college football prospects.
Tejhaun Palmer Career
College Career (2018–2023)
Palmer’s career at Snow College established him as a legitimate Division I prospect. His combination of size, speed, and hands made him a valuable target in the Badgers’ passing attack. The 11 touchdowns he scored during his junior college career demonstrated his ability to finish drives and contribute in the red zone, qualities that would serve him well at the next level.
At UAB, Palmer developed under the guidance of the Blazers’ coaching staff, refining his route-running and expanding his understanding of complex offensive systems. Across his three seasons with the program from 2021 to 2023, he played in 37 games and accumulated 83 receptions for 1,409 yards and nine touchdowns. His average of 17.0 yards per reception highlighted his deep-threat capability, while his average of 38.1 yards per game underscored his consistent production.
2024 NFL Draft and Professional Transition
Palmer entered the 2024 NFL Draft with a solid collegiate resume and the attention of NFL scouting departments. On draft day, the Arizona Cardinals selected him in the sixth round with the 191st overall pick. The selection represented the realization of his lifelong dream to play professional football.
His transition to the professional level began immediately following the draft. On August 28, 2024, as part of the NFL’s final roster cuts, Palmer was waived by the Cardinals. However, the team immediately signed him to their practice squad, allowing him to continue developing within the organization. This pattern of being waived and re-signed to the practice squad would become a recurring theme in his early professional career.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2024–Present)
Palmer’s rookie season with the Cardinals was marked by patience and perseverance. After spending the majority of the 2024 season on the practice squad, he signed a reserve/future contract with Arizona on January 6, 2025. This agreement indicated the team’s continued interest in his development and potential contributions.
The 2025 season brought continued challenges for Palmer as he worked to earn a spot on the Cardinals’ active roster. On August 26, 2025, he was waived once again during final roster cuts, only to be re-signed to the practice squad the following day. This demonstrated his resilience and commitment to remaining with the organization that had drafted him.
His persistence paid off on January 3, 2026, when the Cardinals promoted Palmer to the active roster from the practice squad. This promotion represented a significant milestone in his professional career, officially placing him among the team’s 53-man roster as he prepared to contribute on game days. His journey from a sixth-round draft pick to an active NFL player exemplified the determination required to succeed at the sport’s highest level.
Playing Style and Strengths
Palmer possesses the physical tools that NFL teams seek in a wide receiver. His listed height of 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) and weight of 210 pounds (95 kilograms) give him the size to win contested catches and the speed to stretch the field vertically. His collegiate production, particularly his 17.0 yards-per-reception average at UAB, suggests a player who can threaten defenses deep and create explosive plays. His experience playing at both the junior college and Division I FBS levels demonstrates his adaptability and ability to compete against varied competition.
Notable Milestones
Several key moments defined Palmer’s ascent to the NFL. His selection in the 2024 NFL Draft marked his official entry into professional football. The third-team All-AAC recognition he earned following the 2023 college season served as validation of his development at the Division I level. His eventual promotion to the Arizona Cardinals’ active roster on January 3, 2026, after nearly two years of practice squad work, represented the culmination of his perseverance through adversity. These milestones illustrate a player who steadily progressed despite setbacks.
Tejhaun Palmer Career Statistics
Throughout his college career spanning 37 games across Snow College and UAB, Palmer established himself as a productive receiver with game-changing ability. His cumulative statistics reflected consistency and big-play potential that translated to the professional level.
College Statistics Highlights
At Snow College, Palmer caught 32 passes for 697 yards and 11 touchdowns over his three seasons. His average of 21.8 yards per reception demonstrated his deep-threat ability. At UAB, he appeared in 37 games and recorded 83 receptions for 1,409 yards and nine touchdowns. His professional statistics as of the 2025 season show one game played, reflecting his practice squad tenure during his rookie year before his elevation to the active roster in early 2026.
Professional Career Summary
Palmer’s professional career began with the Arizona Cardinals following his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. After spending portions of the 2024 and 2025 seasons on the practice squad, he earned a promotion to the active roster. His journey exemplifies the development arc common among late-round draft picks who must prove themselves through practice squad contributions before earning roster spots.
| Competition Level | Games | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (Career Total) | 37 | 83 | 1,409 | 9 |
| NFL (as of 2025) | 1 | — | — | — |
Tejhaun Palmer Family
Family Background
Specific details regarding Tejhaun Palmer’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or any family connections to professional athletics, are not currently available in public sources. Like many professional athletes, he maintains a private personal life while focusing on his football career.
Personal Life
Palmer continues to maintain connections to his Wisconsin roots while pursuing his NFL career in Arizona. He remains active on social media, where he engages with fans under the handle @tejpalm19. His professional approach and work ethic have been evident throughout his journey from Brown Deer High School through the NFL, demonstrating the dedication required to reach the sport’s highest level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represented a year of continued development and ultimate breakthrough for Palmer with the Arizona Cardinals organization. After signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025, he entered training camp with aspirations of earning a spot on the 53-man roster. The competition for roster spots at the wide receiver position remained intense, requiring Palmer to demonstrate consistency in practices and preseason games.
Throughout the early portions of the 2025 season, Palmer remained on the Cardinals’ practice squad, refining his understanding of the team’s offensive playbook and building chemistry with quarterback Carson Palmer and other offensive teammates. His ability to execute assignments and contribute on special teams became critical factors in the coaching staff’s evaluation of his readiness for advancement.
The culmination of his efforts came on January 3, 2026, when the Cardinals promoted Palmer to the active roster. This promotion marked the official transition from practice squad contributor to game-day active player. His promotion came at a strategic point in the season, providing the Cardinals with additional depth at the wide receiver position as the team evaluated its roster for the future. Palmer’s journey demonstrated that patience, persistence, and continued development can create opportunities even after experiencing setbacks early in a professional career.