| No. 17 – New York Jets | |||||||||||
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| Position | Cornerback | ||||||||||
| Roster status | Active | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born | (1996-09-12)September 12, 1996 (age 29) Gilmer, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||
| Listed weight | 201 lb (91 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school | Gilmer | ||||||||||
| College | Texas (2015–2018) | ||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2019: 7th round, 217th overall pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2025 | |||||||||||
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Kris Boyd (born September 12, 1996) is an American professionalfootballcornerback for theNew York Jets of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theTexas Longhorns and was selected by theMinnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the2019 NFL draft.
Boyd attendedGilmer High School inGilmer, Texas, where he played bothrunning back anddefensive back under current UTSA Roadrunners head coachJeff Traylor. As a sophomore in 2012, he was chosen "Offensive Newcomer of the Year" in District 16-3A after rushing for 1,276 yards and 19touchdowns and recording 18tackles and one forcedfumble on defense, helping lead Gilmer to a 14–2 record. In his junior season, he was tabbed first-team All-District 16-3A as Gilmer had an 11–2 record, including a 5–1 district mark, and an appearance in the 3A Division 2 regional playoffs in 2013. Boyd totaled 1,052 rushing yards and 808 receiving yards (31 total touchdowns) on offense as a senior. He also recorded 43 tackles, twointerceptions, four pass breakups and one fumble recovery on defense, leading Gilmer to a 16–0 record and the 4A Division 2 state championship. Following his senior season, he was selected to participate in the2015 U.S. Army All-America Bowl.[1]
Boyd was also a standouttrack and field performer at Gilmer. As a senior, he was a member of the4 × 200-meter relay unit that set a record at the 2015 UIL 4A state meet (1:25.49). He was also the runner-up in the100 meters at that meet with a time of 10.58 seconds.[2]
Boyd played four seasons as a defensive back for theTexas Longhorns. He appeared in 51 games and made 33 starts. Boyd became a starter atcornerback for the Longhorns during his sophomore season, when he started the final eight games of the season and finished sixth on the team with 51 tackles along with an interception, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.[3] He collected 191 tackles (141 solo) with four interceptions, 40 passes defended, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He was named second-team All-Big 12 Conference by theAssociated Press after his junior season, when he made 57 tackles with two interceptions and 15 pass breakups. As a senior in 2018, Boyd made 54 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, with one sack first and 15 passes defensed and was named first-team All-Big 12.[4] He was invited to play in theSenior Bowl following his senior season.[5]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft11+1⁄2 in (1.82 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | 30+3⁄4 in (0.78 m) | 9 in (0.23 m) | 4.45 s | 1.52 s | 2.63 s | 4.08 s | 6.94 s | 36.5 in (0.93 m) | 10 ft 7 in (3.23 m) | 19 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine[6][7] | ||||||||||||
Originally projected as a mid-round pick, Boyd slid before being selected in the seventh round (217th overall) of the2019 NFL draft by theMinnesota Vikings, joining ex-teammate at Texas and close friendHolton Hill.[8] Boyd signed a four-year, $2.6 million contract with the Vikings on May 5, 2019.[9]
Boyd made his NFL debut against theAtlanta Falcons on September 8, 2019, making two tackles while also drawing two penalties.[10] Boyd finished his rookie season with 22 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass defended.
On December 15, 2020, Boyd was placed oninjured reserve with a shoulder injury.[11]
On April 10, 2023, Boyd signed with theArizona Cardinals.[12] He was released on October 2.[13]
On October 27, 2023, Boyd was signed to thepractice squad of theHouston Texans.[14] He was promoted to the active roster on December 6.[15] He re-signed with the Texans on March 19, 2024.[16]
In the divisional round of the2024 playoffs versus theKansas City Chiefs, Boyd forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, although the ball was recovered by the Chiefs. Coming off the field after the play, Boyd threw his helmet to the ground and then shoved his special teams coach,Frank Ross.[17][18] Boyd remained in the game. In the postgame media availability Boyd said his actions were in celebration as he was hyped up.[18]
On March 15, 2025, Boyd signed a one-year contract with theNew York Jets.[19] He was placed on injured reserve on August 18.
Boyd's brother, DeMarco, is a former linebacker for the Texas Longhorns.[20] Two of Boyd's cousins,Bobby Taylor andCurtis Brown, also played in the NFL.
On November 16, 2025, around 2 a.m., Boyd was shot in the abdomen after a dispute turned violent outside a restaurant inMidtown Manhattan.[21] He was transported toBellevue Hospital in critical but stable condition.[22]