Isaiah McKenzie Bio
Isaiah McKenzie (born April 9, 1995) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. McKenzie plays primarily at wide receiver and punt returner but has also seen playing time at the NFL level as a running back and cornerback.
Early Life and Background
Isaiah McKenzie was born on April 9, 1995, in Miami, Florida, and grew up in the same South Florida community that has produced generations of football talent. He attended American Heritage School, a well-known Florida program recognized for developing top college prospects. At American Heritage, McKenzie was a versatile offensive weapon, lining up at multiple skill positions and returning kicks, the same role that later defined his professional career.
Coming out of high school, McKenzie was regarded as a quick, undersized playmaker with elite acceleration and the ability to flip field position in an instant. He drew scholarship interest from several college programs and committed to the University of Georgia to play in the Southeastern Conference. His South Florida background gave him a strong foundation in the speed-based, perimeter style of football that he would carry into the NFL.
Path to American Football
McKenzie joined the Georgia Bulldogs and spent his first two college seasons primarily as a kick returner, where he began to build his reputation as a dangerous open-field runner. During that stretch, he accumulated 190 receiving yards and 195 rushing yards while showcasing his speed and vision in space. After Kirby Smart replaced Mark Richt as Georgia’s head coach, McKenzie became a more central part of the Bulldogs’ offense.
As a junior, McKenzie emerged as Georgia’s top receiver, finishing the year with 44 receptions for 633 yards and 7 touchdowns. His versatile, multi-position production made him one of the most talked-about return men entering the 2017 NFL Draft. Leading into the draft, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. compared McKenzie to Antonio Brown, citing similarities in their kick-return abilities and overall athleticism. He was also named Second-team All-SEC in 2016, cementing his place as one of the conference’s top playmakers.
Isaiah McKenzie Career
Early Career (2017)
Isaiah McKenzie was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round, 172nd overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut on September 11, 2017, in a Monday Night Football season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, returning three punts for 48 net yards. On September 24, 2017, against the Buffalo Bills, McKenzie recorded his first career rushing attempt, a four-yard carry. In his rookie season, he totaled four receptions for 29 yards while serving primarily as a return specialist.
McKenzie’s role in Denver remained limited, and on September 10, 2018, he was waived and re-signed to the Broncos’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 25, 2018, but was waived again on November 2, 2018, ending his time in Denver.
Buffalo Bills Era (2018–2022)
On November 5, 2018, McKenzie was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, beginning the most productive stretch of his career. He was used as the primary kick returner and also saw significant time on offense. He scored his first NFL touchdown on a six-yard jet sweep against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 25. Against the New York Jets, after injuries to LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory, he rushed for 22 yards on four carries with a touchdown and added 47 receiving yards. He finished the 2018 season with 18 receptions for 179 receiving yards, 66 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns.
McKenzie’s kick return role decreased after the Bills added Andre Roberts, but he remained a gadget player on offense. In 2019, he caught 27 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown and rushed 8 times for 49 yards. He played a key role in a Week 5 win over the Tennessee Titans, highlighted by a 46-yard reception that set up the game-winning touchdown.
McKenzie re-signed with the Bills on March 30, 2020. During a Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals, he threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Josh Allen on a trick play, his first career touchdown pass. In the 2020 regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins, he caught six passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns and returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown, his first career special teams score. In the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, McKenzie recorded one catch for a six-yard touchdown during the 38–24 loss.
On March 29, 2021, McKenzie signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Bills. On August 26, 2021, he was fined $14,650 for violating the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol. McKenzie became the primary kick returner in 2021 but was benched after fumbling a kickoff in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts. With Cole Beasley sidelined by COVID-19 before a pivotal Week 16 game against the New England Patriots, McKenzie posted a career day with 11 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown in a 33–21 win.
On March 13, 2022, McKenzie signed a two-year extension with the Bills. With Beasley’s departure, he became the primary slot receiver and caught 17 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns within the first six games, including leading the Bills in receiving during a Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions. He finished 2022 with career highs of 42 receptions, 423 yards, and four touchdowns. On March 17, 2023, McKenzie was released by the Bills.
Indianapolis Colts (2023)
On March 22, 2023, McKenzie signed with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts suspended him for three games for conduct detrimental to the team on December 19, 2023.
New York Giants and Miami Dolphins (2024)
On March 12, 2024, McKenzie signed with the New York Giants, but was released on August 27, 2024. On December 17, 2024, McKenzie was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad.
Notable Events and Milestones
McKenzie’s most memorable NFL moment came in the 2020 regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins, when he caught two touchdowns, returned a punt 84 yards for a score, and finished the year as one of the league’s most productive return men. His career-high 11-reception, 125-yard performance against the New England Patriots in 2021 also stands out as a signature game. The trick-play touchdown pass to Josh Allen in 2020 further cemented his reputation as a creative offensive weapon.
Isaiah McKenzie Family
Personal Life
In 2020, Isaiah McKenzie and his friends Mel Rodriguez and Chase McKenzie opened LaTraila Barbecue, a restaurant in Miami Lakes, Florida, expanding his footprint beyond football.
2025 Season Performance
Isaiah McKenzie is currently on the Miami Dolphins practice squad, signed on December 17, 2024. Heading into 2025, he remains a depth option at wide receiver and return specialist, with an opportunity to compete for a larger role in a South Florida offense. Given his history of production on special teams and as a gadget player, McKenzie will look to carve out a consistent role in 2025.
Throughout his career, McKenzie has shown the ability to impact games in multiple ways, whether as a return man, slot receiver, or trick-play specialist. His versatility and experience make him a valuable depth piece for the Dolphins, who will count on him to provide energy and playmaking ability in 2025. The upcoming season will be another chance for McKenzie to prove he can still be a difference-maker in the NFL.