E.J. Speed Bio
Elbert Martin “E. J.” Speed (born June 1, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 103 kilograms, Speed is recognized for his versatility on defense and his consistent impact on special teams. After beginning his career with the Indianapolis Colts, he has become one of the league’s most reliable coverage linebackers, earning weekly conference honors multiple times for his work in the kicking game.
Early Life and Background
E. J. Speed was born on June 1, 1995, in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up in the same city and attended North Crowley High School, where he developed into a multi-talented athlete. As a senior, Speed starred at quarterback and wide receiver for the Panthers football team, passing for 3,000 yards, rushing for 350 yards, and catching 30 passes for 400 yards with two touchdowns, earning first-team All-District honors.
Although Rivals.com ranked him as only a two-star recruit, Speed was considered one of the top 30 high school prospects in Texas by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. He received scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Colorado, and Colorado State, but ultimately chose NCAA Division II Tarleton State University so that he could remain close to his family after his stepbrother was diagnosed with cancer. That family decision set the foundation for the professional path that followed.
Path to American Football
At Tarleton State, Speed was initially recruited to play quarterback before being moved to wide receiver and then linebacker after his redshirt season. Injuries forced him to redshirt twice, slowing his development but also allowing him to grow into his 6-foot-4 frame. By the time he took the field full-time, he had settled into the linebacker position that would later take him to the NFL.
In his first extended season of action, Speed posted 68 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, and a Division II-leading five forced fumbles, earning second-team All-Lone Star Conference (LSC) recognition. A shortened junior year was followed by a senior campaign in which he recorded a career-high 106 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks, again receiving second-team All-LSC honors. He finished his collegiate career with 231 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and eight forced fumbles.
E.J. Speed Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
E. J. Speed was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round, 164th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft and signed his rookie contract on May 3, 2019. He made his NFL debut on September 15, 2019, in a 19–17 win over the Tennessee Titans, finishing his rookie season with seven total tackles across 12 games played. Although his rookie defense statistics were modest, he began establishing himself on special teams.
On November 12, 2020, Speed announced his arrival as a difference-maker on special teams when he blocked a punt by Tennessee’s Trevor Daniel on Thursday Night Football. Teammate T. J. Carrie recovered the ball and returned it for a touchdown, and Speed was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 10. The performance was a preview of the special-teams role that would define his reputation in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2021–2024)
In Week 10 of the 2021 season, Speed returned a blocked punt 12 yards for a touchdown in a 23–17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, earning his second AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor. Later that same season, in Week 15, he scored on another blocked punt by recovering the ball in the end zone during a 27–17 win over the New England Patriots, continuing a pattern of game-changing plays in the kicking game.
On March 15, 2023, Speed signed a two-year, $8 million contract extension with the Colts, reflecting his growing value to the franchise. In 2023, he played in 16 games with 11 starts, finishing second on the team with 102 tackles to go with one sack, four passes defensed, and three forced fumbles. Across his Indianapolis tenure from 2019 through 2024, he became a core contributor on defense and a respected special-teams captain.
Houston Texans Era (2025–Present)
On March 29, 2025, E. J. Speed signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Houston Texans, opening a new chapter in his career. The move brought his size, tackling ability, and special-teams experience to a Texans defense seeking veteran leadership. His arrival was widely viewed as a low-risk, high-reward addition for a team building toward sustained contention in the AFC.
Driving Style and Strengths
Speed is best known for his long frame, aggressive downhill tackling, and instincts in punt and kick coverage. He combines linebacker size with the discipline of a special-teams ace, reading blockers quickly and finishing plays with physicality. Coaches have praised his willingness to embrace the unglamorous roles that often swing field position and momentum.
Notable Events and Milestones
Speed’s signature moments have come on special teams, including back-to-back AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in 2020 and 2021, multiple blocked-punt scores, and a 2023 season in which he finished second on the Colts in tackles. He also earned second-team All-LSC recognition in both 2016 and 2018 during his time at Tarleton State, building a résumé of honors at every level.
E.J. Speed Career Wins
While individual win totals for linebackers are not traditionally tracked the way they are for quarterbacks, Speed has accumulated significant team success and personal accolades. His multiple AFC weekly awards and postseason-caliber play with Indianapolis highlighted a steady, productive run that has continued with Houston.
Indianapolis Colts Highlights
Speed appeared in more than 90 games across six seasons with the Colts, becoming a fixture on special teams and earning a two-year, $8 million extension in 2023. His blocked-punt touchdown against the Titans in 2020 and his 12-yard scoring return against the Jaguars in 2021 stand out as defining plays. He also recorded 102 tackles in 2023, underscoring his two-way value to the defense.
Other Wins & Performances
At Tarleton State, Speed was a two-time second-team All-LSC selection, peaking with 106 tackles as a senior. He finished his college career with 231 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and eight forced fumbles, numbers that helped him earn a fifth-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
E.J. Speed Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about E. J. Speed’s immediate family is limited. He has mentioned a stepbrother whose battle with cancer influenced his decision to remain close to home and attend Tarleton State. Beyond that, the linebacker has kept most details about his parents and siblings private.
Personal Life
Speed has not publicly confirmed a spouse or children. Off the field, he is active on social media, sharing updates from his career and community work. He continues to be represented by his official accounts, where fans follow his transitions between teams and his work in the Houston area.
2025 Season Performance
E. J. Speed enters the 2025 season with the Houston Texans on a one-year, $5 million contract signed in March 2025, bringing veteran stability to the linebacker room and special-teams units. His role is expected to mirror the one he held in Indianapolis, combining core defensive snaps with leadership on coverage teams. The Texans’ staff has highlighted his tackling reliability and football IQ as central to their defensive plans.
Through the early portion of the 2025 campaign, Speed has contributed in run support, on special teams, and as a mentor to younger linebackers learning the Texans’ scheme. His consistent production on punt and kick units has helped Houston win the field-position battle in several close contests. As the season progresses, his ability to stay healthy and maintain his trademark physicality will be central to the Texans’ push for the postseason.
With a contract that runs through 2026, Speed has the opportunity to use the 2025 season as a platform to secure a longer-term role in Houston. Whether measured by tackles, special-teams stops, or weekly awards, his performance will be a key storyline for a Texans team aiming to build on recent playoff success.