Joshua Kelley

PRO: The Titans signed Joshua Kelley to the team's practice squad during the 2024 season to add depth and experience to the running backs room. The 5-foot-11-inch, 212-pounder entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the L.A. Chargers in 2020. Prior to his arrival in Tennesssee, the UCLA product appeared in 54 career games with four starts for the Chargers and totaled 320 rushing attempts for 1,148 yards with six touchdowns, to go along with 50 receptions for 319 yards.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• In 2023, Kelley opened the season with a career-high 91 rushing yards on 16 attempts with a touchdown against Miami. He helped propel the offense to become the first NFL team since 2010 to total 230 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns on Kickoff Weekend.
• In his first career game in 2020, Kelley ran for 60 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown. He became the first Chargers running back since LaDainian Tomlinson (2001) and only the sixth Chargers running back in the Super Bowl era to log a rushing score in their NFL debut.

TITANS TIDBITS:
• When Kelley finishes his playing career, he wants to be a screenwriter and work on developing stories that people globally can watch and empathize with. In the offseason, Kelley spends his time writing films and is currently working on one now. He picked up the passion while attending UCLA.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Lancaster, Calif., native was selected by the L.A. Chargers in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
• Signed by the New York Giants as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, 2024.
• Released by the Giants on Aug. 25, 2024
• Signed by the Titans to their practice squad on Oct. 15, 2024.

COLLEGE:
• After starting his career at UC Davis (2015-16), Kelley transferred to UCLA as a walk-on and capped his career as a two-time all-conference selection for the Bruins (2018-19). Finished his Bruin career ranked 14th on the all-time school rushing list (2,303). His 25 touchdowns rank 11th on the school list. Semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation's top walk-on or former walk-on player. Became the eighth running back in UCLA history to have back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
• As a senior (2019), started in 11 games and recorded 1,060 yards on 229 carries with 12 touchdowns. Added 11 receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown. Had four 100-yard games on the season. Scored a career-best four rushing touchdowns against Arizona State. Presented the Henry R. Red Sanders Award for Most Valuable Player at the team banquet.
• As a junior (2018), saw action in 11 games with nine starts. Rushed for 1,243 yards on 225 attempts with 12 touchdowns. Had 27 receptions for 193 yards. Ran for the 10th-most yards in school single-season history (1,243). Had six 100-yard rushing games on the year highlighted by a 289-yard effort against Southern California which is the most in the rivalry game by a back from either team. He rushed for at least one touchdown in each of the last eight games of the season. Won the Henry R. Red Sanders Award as the team's most valuable player.
• As a junior (2017), did not see game action in his first year in the program.
• As a sophomore (2016), rushed for 609 yards on 87 carries and score four touchdowns at UC Davis. Averaged 24.3 yards per kickoff return. His longest kick return was 91 yards for a touchdown against Weber State. Ranked No. 26 in the nation in kickoff returns and No. 57 in the nation in all purpose yards (107.18 per game).
• As a true freshman (2015), ran for 530 yards on 106 carries and scored three touchdowns at UC Davis. Averaged 26.1 yards per kickoff return to rank 19th in NCAA, while turning in a season-long return on 56 yards.
• Graduated with a degree in sociology from UCLA.

PERSONAL:
• Attended Eastside (Lancaster, Calif.) High School and was named first-team All-Golden League and Golden League Back of the Year as a senior. Finished with over 3,400 career all-purpose yards to his credit, including over 1,000 yards on kickoff, punt and interception returns.
• As a senior (2014), recorded 1,469 rushing yards with 16 touchdowns. Registered six 100-yard performances. Caught 19 passes for 352 yards with six touchdowns. On defense, had 49 tackles, an interception and three sacks.
• As a junior (2013), earned second-team All-League honors. Was special teams player of the year.
• Also ran on the 4x100-relay in track & field.
• Son of Jacqueline.
• Follow Kelley on X at @SmoothplayJK and on Instagram at @joshua_kelley_.
• Born Joshua Tyler Kelley on Nov. 20, 1997 in Inglewood, Calif.