K.J. Osborn Bio
Kendrick Ladell “K. J.” Osborn Jr. (born June 10, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Buffalo Bulls and Miami Hurricanes before being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Standing 180 cm tall and weighing 92 kg, Osborn has built a career as a reliable possession receiver and punt returner through steady production in multiple offensive systems.
Across his professional journey, Osborn has suited up for the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, and Atlanta Falcons, establishing himself as a dependable depth piece with occasional big-game moments. Known for his yards-after-catch ability and special-teams contribution, he has carved out a multi-year role in the NFL despite being a mid-round draft pick.
Early Life and Background
Osborn is a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he attended Lincoln High School before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for his senior year. The move to IMG, one of the country’s most recognized athletic development programs, gave him elite-level training and competition that helped prepare him for the rigors of college football.
At IMG Academy, Osborn sharpened his route-running and physical conditioning, traits that would later become hallmarks of his professional profile. His time in Bradenton also exposed him to a national scouting audience, allowing him to attract scholarship offers from several collegiate programs.
Coming from a supportive family background, Osborn has often credited his upbringing in Michigan for instilling discipline and toughness. While specific details about his parents remain private, his path from a mid-major program to the NFL reflects a steady, workmanlike approach to his athletic development.
Path to American Football
Osborn began his collegiate career at SUNY Buffalo, where he spent three seasons developing as a wide receiver for the Bulls. Across those three years, he accumulated 96 catches for 1,490 yards and 12 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most productive pass-catchers in the program. In his final season at Buffalo, his strong play earned him second-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors.
Seeking a higher level of competition for his final year of eligibility, Osborn enrolled at the University of Miami as a graduate transfer in 2019. He immediately became a focal point of the Hurricanes’ offense, leading the team with 50 receptions for 547 yards and five touchdowns. Beyond his receiving duties, Osborn contributed heavily on special teams, returning 16 punts for 255 yards (15.9 average) and 10 kickoffs for 201 yards (20.1 average).
His dual-threat skill set as both a receiver and returner caught the attention of NFL scouts, and the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the fifth round (176th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
K.J. Osborn Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
As a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, Osborn spent most of his debut season contributing on special teams and developing within the wide receiver room. He worked to refine his route tree and build chemistry with quarterback Kirk Cousins, learning behind established veterans Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.
His breakout arrived in 2021. In Week 6, Osborn caught the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime against the Carolina Panthers, announcing himself as a clutch performer. He added another signature moment in Week 14, recording 3 receptions for 83 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown from Cousins, in a 36-28 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Osborn finished the 2021 season with 655 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, both totals ranking third on the Vikings behind Jefferson and Thielen.
Minnesota Vikings Peak (2022-2023)
Osborn’s 2022 campaign featured one of the most memorable individual performances in recent Vikings history. In Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, he finished with 157 receiving yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions. Trailing by 33 points, the Vikings engineered the largest comeback in NFL history, winning 39-36 in overtime. He capped his season in Week 18 with his second career 100-plus-yard game, posting 117 receiving yards on 5 receptions against the Chicago Bears.
His role diminished slightly in 2023, when he finished with 48 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the reduced volume, Osborn remained a trusted rotational receiver and continued contributing on special teams.
Patriots and Commanders Stints (2024-2025)
On March 19, 2024, Osborn signed with the New England Patriots in search of a fresh opportunity. His time in New England was brief, finishing with seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown before being waived on December 10, 2024.
The following day, December 11, 2024, the Washington Commanders claimed Osborn off waivers. On March 14, 2025, he re-signed with Washington on a one-year contract, only to be released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. He then joined the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad on November 24, 2025, continuing his professional journey.
Notable Events and Milestones
Osborn’s most celebrated moment came during the record 33-point comeback against the Colts in 2022, when his 157-yard performance anchored one of the greatest team rallies in NFL history. His overtime touchdown catch against Carolina in 2021 marked his arrival as a clutch target, and his All-MAC recognition in college laid the foundation for his professional career.
K.J. Osborn Career Wins
While individual win totals for wide receivers are not traditionally tallied in the NFL, Osborn has accumulated key victories and standout performances across his stops in Minnesota, New England, and Washington. His most notable wins include the overtime thriller against the Panthers in 2021, the Steelers victory in Week 14 of the same season, the historic comeback versus the Colts in 2022, and the season finale against the Bears.
NFL Highlights
Osborn’s most recent confirmed statistical season came in 2023, when he posted 48 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns with the Vikings. Across his Vikings tenure, he produced three seasons of reliable production, including the 655-yard, seven-touchdown campaign of 2021 and the 540-yard season of 2023.
K.J. Osborn Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Osborn is a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and his family has remained largely out of the public spotlight. Details about his parents and siblings have not been widely disclosed, though he has spoken about the importance of family support throughout his athletic career.
Personal Life
Osborn is a practicing Christian and has been open about his faith in interviews. On March 6, 2023, he and three others helped rescue Nelson Thomas, a former contestant on MTV’s The Challenge, from a burning car in Austin, Texas. Thomas’ leg was amputated as a result of the accident, and Osborn’s quick actions drew widespread praise for his courage off the field.
2025 Season Performance
Osborn began 2025 with the Washington Commanders after re-signing on a one-year contract in March, only to be released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. He remained in search of an opportunity until the Atlanta Falcons signed him to their practice squad on November 24, 2025, giving him a chance to contribute down the stretch of the season.
His role with Atlanta is expected to focus on providing veteran depth at wide receiver and contributing on special teams, where his punt-return background remains a valuable asset. Osborn’s experience in multiple offensive systems should help him integrate quickly into the Falcons’ scheme.
Looking ahead, Osborn will look to leverage his practice-squad opportunity into a more permanent roster spot, whether in Atlanta or elsewhere in the league. His track record of clutch performances and special-teams value gives him a credible path back to active game duty as the 2025 season progresses.