Braxton Berrios Bio
Braxton Berrios is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist who plays for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and entered the NFL after being selected by the New England Patriots in the 2018 NFL Draft. Known for his work on special teams and his quickness as a slot receiver, Berrios has built a steady career as a role player and returner across multiple franchises.
Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Berrios developed into a versatile playmaker at the high school level before becoming a contributor in college. He has spent time with the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins, and earned first-team All-Pro recognition in 2021 as a kick returner. As of 2025, he is a member of the Houston Texans, continuing his NFL journey as a trusted depth receiver and special teams weapon.
Early Life and Background
Braxton Berrios was born on October 6, 1995, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He grew up in the Raleigh area and attended Leesville Road High School, where he starred as a multi-position athlete on the football field. At Leesville Road, he played both quarterback and wide receiver, giving him a broad understanding of the passing game from multiple perspectives.
Coming out of high school, Berrios was rated as a four-star wide receiver prospect. He drew attention from several major college programs and ultimately chose to play for the University of Miami over Power 5 programs such as Ohio State, Clemson, and Oregon. His decision to attend a program with a strong tradition of developing skill players helped prepare him for the next level of competition.
Path to American Football
Berrios enrolled at the University of Miami and joined the Miami Hurricanes football program as a true freshman. He wasted little time making an impact, finishing his first season with 21 catches for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Those early numbers signaled that he could contribute immediately as a young pass catcher in a competitive college conference.
By his junior season in 2017, Berrios had grown into a reliable target for the Hurricanes. He caught two touchdown passes against Florida State that season, helping Miami beat the Seminoles for the first time since 2009. His performance in that game was one of the defining moments of his college career, and he earned Third-team All-ACC recognition for the 2017 season. Following his senior year, Berrios declared for the 2018 NFL Draft, where the New England Patriots selected him in the sixth round with the 210th overall pick.
Braxton Berrios Career
Early Career (2018)
After being drafted by the New England Patriots in 2018, Berrios joined a deep and talented roster. On September 1, 2018, he was placed on injured reserve, which kept him off the field for his entire rookie season. Although he never appeared in a regular season or postseason game for New England, he was part of the organization during its championship run.
Berrios was awarded a Super Bowl ring after the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019, ending his first stint in New England, but he had already collected a championship as a member of the franchise.
New York Jets Era (2019-2022)
On September 1, 2019, Berrios was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets, beginning the most productive stretch of his career. In his first year with the Jets, he worked primarily as a returner and rotational receiver, finishing with 21 punt returns, four kick returns, and six pass receptions. His role grew over time as the coaching staff gained confidence in his reliability.
In his second season in 2020, Berrios scored his first career touchdown on a 30-yard pass from Sam Darnold on September 20, 2020, during a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Later that year, in Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, he caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Jamison Crowder on a trick play, helping secure a 23-16 win. Berrios re-signed with the Jets on March 14, 2022, on a two-year, $12 million contract. In Week 4 of that season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was involved in a trick play in which he threw a two-yard pass to quarterback Zach Wilson for a touchdown. The Jets released him on March 9, 2023.
Breakthrough 2021 Season
The 2021 season marked the high point of Berrios’s career to that point. In Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded a receiving touchdown, and in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he returned a kickoff for a touchdown in a 26-21 win, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In Week 17, he added a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown in the same game, becoming the first Jets receiver to accomplish that feat.
Berrios finished the 2021 season second on the Jets with 46 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 40 rushing yards and two rushing scores. He was named first-team All-Pro as a kick returner, ranked third in the NFL in kickoff return yards with 852, and finished third in yards per punt return at 13.4. That All-Pro selection remains the headline individual award of his professional career.
Miami Dolphins Era (2023-2024)
On March 16, 2023, Berrios signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, where he continued in a depth and special teams role. He played in 16 games during the 2023 season, recording 27 catches for 238 yards and one touchdown. His production as a receiver complemented his usual duties on punt and kick returns.
Berrios re-signed with the Dolphins on March 21, 2024, returning to the same role. However, on October 21, 2024, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL during Miami’s Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The injury ended his season and ultimately led to his departure from Miami.
Houston Texans Era (2025-Present)
On March 14, 2025, Berrios signed with the Houston Texans, beginning the next chapter of his career. The move paired him with a Texans team that has invested heavily in speed and depth at the receiver position. He joined the roster as a veteran slot receiver and experienced returner.
In his role with the Texans, Berrios is expected to serve as a reliable target on underneath routes and a steady option on punt and kick returns. His championship experience with New England and his All-Pro season in 2021 give him credibility as a locker room presence and a trusted special teams contributor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Berrios’s career includes several signature moments, including a Super Bowl LIII ring with the New England Patriots, a 43-yard trick-play touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in 2020, and a kickoff return touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. His first-team All-Pro selection as a kick returner that same season stands as his highest individual honor.
Braxton Berrios Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Braxton Berrios is of Puerto Rican descent through his paternal grandfather, a family detail that connects him to a broader heritage within the Latino community. While specific information about his parents is not publicly documented, his multicultural background has been part of his public identity.
Personal Life
Berrios previously dated Sophia Culpo, the sister of Olivia Culpo, for two years from 2021 to 2023. He later dated social media personality Alix Earle from March 2023 until December 2025, when sources reported their mutual breakup on December 6, 2025. Berrios is currently listed as single and focuses much of his public profile on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Berrios entered the 2025 season with the Houston Texans after signing in March of that year, looking to rebound from a torn ACL suffered late in the 2024 campaign. His path back to full health and his role within a deep Texans receiving corps have been central storylines of his year. As a veteran slot receiver and returner, he has continued to provide steady contributions on special teams while competing for snaps on offense.
With the Texans, Berrios has focused on regaining his pre-injury explosiveness and rebuilding trust with the coaching staff. His track record as a reliable underneath target and a proven returner gives him a clear role on game day. If healthy, his experience in trick plays, jet motions, and special teams schemes makes him a versatile chess piece for the offense and special teams units alike.