Julius Chestnut Bio
Julius Chestnut is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 26, 2000, in Bowie, Maryland, he played college football for the Sacred Heart Pioneers. Chestnut signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has been a part of the team since then, contributing primarily as a running back and on special teams.
Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Julius Chestnut was born on October 26, 2000, in Bowie, Maryland, a suburban community located just outside the Washington, D.C., area. Growing up in the Mid-Atlantic region, he developed an early interest in football, a sport deeply embedded in the local youth culture of Prince George’s County. His surroundings provided frequent exposure to competitive football, which helped shape his athletic identity during his formative years.
Chestnut attended Archbishop Spalding High School, a Catholic school in Severn, Maryland, known for its strong athletic programs. At Archbishop Spalding, he continued to refine his skills as a running back, building the physical base and on-field instincts that would later define his college career. His high school performance earned him attention from college programs looking for a hard-running, between-the-tackles style back.
Following his high school graduation, Chestnut committed to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, a member of the Northeast Conference at the NCAA Division I FCS level. The decision to play at the FCS level offered him an opportunity to develop as a featured offensive player, a role he may not have received as easily at a larger FBS program.
Path to American Football
Path to American Football
At Sacred Heart, Chestnut quickly established himself as one of the most productive running backs in the Northeast Conference. As a freshman in 2018, he earned Northeast Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, signaling his potential and his immediate impact on the Pioneer offense. His combination of size, low pad level, and physical running style made him a consistent contributor from his first college season.
By 2019, Chestnut was named a first-team All-Northeast Conference selection and also received Associated Press FCS third-team All-American recognition. These early accolades demonstrated that he was not only dominant at the conference level but also competitive against the broader landscape of FCS talent. His development continued throughout his time at Sacred Heart, with each season bringing greater responsibility in both the running game and on special teams units.
The peak of his college career came in 2021, when Chestnut was recognized as an AFCA first-team All-American and an Associated Press FCS first-team All-American. He was also named the Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, cementing his legacy as one of the most decorated players in Sacred Heart football history. Despite his success, Chestnut was not selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, but his college production ensured that he would receive an opportunity at the next level.
Julius Chestnut Career
Early Career (2022)
Following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft, Julius Chestnut signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. He entered a competitive running back room and faced an uphill battle to earn a roster spot. After the Titans made their final preseason roster cuts, Chestnut, along with fellow undrafted rookie Tre Avery, survived and made the initial 53-man roster.
Chestnut was inactive for the first three games of the 2022 season before being waived on October 1, 2022. Shortly after, on October 4, 2022, he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad, allowing him to continue developing within the Titans’ system. On December 17, 2022, Chestnut was promoted back to the active roster, and he appeared in six games during his rookie season, recording ten kick returns, three rushes, and three receptions for 238 total yards.
NFL Breakthrough (2023)
Entering the 2023 season, Chestnut was listed third on the Titans’ running back depth chart, a role that limited his offensive touches but kept him active in the rotation and on special teams. Unfortunately, his momentum was interrupted early in the season when he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 3, which led to a placement on injured reserve. The injury significantly limited his availability, and he appeared in only three games during the 2023 season.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024–Present)
On March 13, 2024, Chestnut re-signed with the Tennessee Titans on a one-year contract, once again positioned as the third running back on the depth chart. Despite the depth chart placement, the 2024 season marked his most significant NFL workload to date. He appeared in all 17 games during the 2024 season, recording 102 rushing yards, 11 receiving yards, and 337 kick return yards across his offensive and special teams contributions.
On March 19, 2025, Chestnut once again re-signed with the Titans on a one-year contract, further cementing his role within the organization. His ability to contribute on offense, paired with his reliability on kickoff returns, has made him a steady depth piece and a valued member of the Titans’ special teams units.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chestnut is recognized for his physical, between-the-tackles running style, built on a compact frame and a low center of gravity. He excels in short-yardage and goal-line situations, where his leg drive and balance make him difficult to bring down. Additionally, his consistency and reliability on kickoff returns provide the Titans with a dependable special teams presence.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early milestones of Chestnut’s professional career was making the Tennessee Titans’ initial 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Being promoted from the practice squad to the active roster later that same season, and then playing all 17 games in 2024, underscored his durability and his value to the Titans’ depth chart.
Julius Chestnut Career Wins
While Julius Chestnut’s role with the Tennessee Titans has primarily been as a depth running back and a special teams contributor, he has earned notable recognition across both the collegiate and professional levels. His 2021 AFCA first-team All-American selection and Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year award stand as his most significant individual honors. At the NFL level, his longevity with the Titans, including appearing in all 17 games in 2024, represents a meaningful achievement for an undrafted free agent.
College Awards Highlights
During his time at Sacred Heart, Chestnut accumulated multiple conference and national honors. In 2018, he was named Northeast Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year, and in 2019, he earned first-team All-Northeast Conference honors alongside Associated Press FCS third-team All-American recognition. His 2021 campaign produced the most decorated individual season, as he was named AFCA first-team All-American, Associated Press FCS first-team All-American, and Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Julius Chestnut Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Julius Chestnut was raised in Bowie, Maryland, a community known for producing a deep talent pool of football players. While specific details about his immediate family members are not publicly documented in verified sources, his upbringing in the Bowie area shaped his early exposure to organized football and supported his development as a young athlete.
Personal Life
Chestnut has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing much of his public presence on his football career. He is known to be active on social media, where he connects with fans and shares glimpses of his training and daily life. As an undrafted free agent who has carved out a multi-year NFL career, his personal story reflects perseverance and consistency.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Julius Chestnut’s fourth year with the Tennessee Titans, following his March 19, 2025 re-signing on a one-year contract. Entering the season, he is once again positioned as the third running back on the depth chart, a role that allows him to contribute in spot offensive duty while remaining a key component of the team’s special teams rotation. His familiarity with the Titans’ system and his reliability on kickoff returns make him a trusted depth piece for the coaching staff.
Throughout the early stages of the 2025 season, Chestnut’s primary contributions are expected to come on kickoff returns and in short-yardage offensive situations, where his physical running style is most effective. Building on the momentum of his 2024 campaign, in which he played all 17 games and posted 337 kick return yards, Chestnut will look to provide steady production and remain a durable presence for the Titans.
As the 2025 season progresses, Chestnut’s role within the Titans’ depth chart, his special teams impact, and his ability to stay healthy will likely determine the trajectory of his fourth professional year. His continued presence on the roster underscores the organization’s confidence in his consistency, work ethic, and value as a multi-phase contributor.