Kenny Moore II Bio
Kenny Moore II (born August 23, 1995) is an American professional football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Valdosta State Blazers and signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017 before joining the Colts later that same year. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 190 pounds, Moore has built a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable slot cornerbacks.
Over the course of his NFL career, Moore has earned a Pro Bowl selection and emerged as a leader in the Colts’ secondary. His journey from a late-blooming high school player in Georgia to a multi-year contract extension with Indianapolis reflects both his athletic development and his on-field production.
Early Life and Background
Kenny Moore II was born on August 23, 1995, in Valdosta, Georgia, and grew up in the same south Georgia community. He attended Lowndes High School in Valdosta, where he did not begin playing football until his senior year. Despite the late start, he made an immediate impact, recording 18 tackles, two interceptions, and two pass breakups during the 2012 season. The Lowndes team posted a 9–2 record that year and advanced to the GHSA Class AAAAAA Playoffs.
In addition to football, Moore participated in soccer, basketball, and track at Lowndes, an athletic background that helped him develop the speed, coordination, and competitive instincts that would later define his professional career. His senior-season performance drew the attention of college programs, and he ultimately committed to Valdosta State University to continue his football career at the Division II level.
Path to American Football
Moore joined the Valdosta State Blazers in 2013, beginning his college career as a cornerback before later converting to safety in his senior season. As a freshman in 2013, he played in 10 games and started one, recording 12 solo tackles, six tackle assists, and one interception. He built on that foundation in 2014, playing all 13 games and totaling 26 solo tackles, 11 tackle assists, five pass breakups, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
His breakout came in 2015, when he played in 12 games and recorded 34 solo tackles, 17 tackle assists, one sack, six pass breakups, and three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. That season earned him First-team All-Gulf South Conference (GSC) honors, D2CAA Second-team All-Super Region Two recognition, and USA College Football Division II Second-team All-American accolades. In 2016, he played in 11 games, totaling 45 solo tackles, 20 tackle assists, one sack, eight pass breakups, and five interceptions, while earning GSC All-Academic, Second-team All-GSC, D2CAA Second-team All-Super Region Two, HERO Sports D2 First-team All-American, and American Football Coaches Association First-team All-American recognition. His 11 career interceptions ranked fifth all-time in Valdosta State history. Moore majored in mass media at Valdosta State, and in January 2017 he played in the Tropical Bowl, a college football all-star game that helped showcase his talents to NFL scouts.
Kenny Moore II Career
New England Patriots (2017)
On May 5, 2017, the New England Patriots signed Kenny Moore II to a three-year, $1.66 million contract as an undrafted free agent, including a $2,000 signing bonus. Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Cyrus Jones, Justin Coleman, D.J. Killings, and Dwayne Thomas. Despite a strong performance in camp and the preseason, the Patriots waived Moore on September 2, 2017, as part of their final roster cuts.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2017–Present)
On September 3, 2017, the Indianapolis Colts claimed Moore off waivers. Head coach Chuck Pagano initially listed him as the fifth cornerback on the depth chart behind Vontae Davis, Rashaan Melvin, Nate Hairston, and Quincy Wilson. Moore made his professional regular-season debut on September 10, 2017, against the Los Angeles Rams. By Week 13, he earned his first career start in place of an injured Melvin and finished his rookie season with 38 combined tackles, five pass deflections, and one interception in 16 games and five starts. He also recorded his first career interception on December 14, 2017, picking off a pass from Trevor Siemian during a loss to the Denver Broncos.
In 2018, Moore was named the No. 2 starting cornerback under head coach Frank Reich. He played in 15 games with 15 starts, recording 77 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, three interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. He made an immediate impact in the playoffs that year, intercepting Deshaun Watson in the AFC Wild-Card Game victory over the Houston Texans and recording two sacks against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
On June 13, 2019, the Colts signed Moore to a four-year, $33.30 million contract extension that included $9.00 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid slot cornerback in the league at the time. He responded with 61 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions in 11 starts before an ankle injury cut his season short.
Driving Style and Strengths
Moore is widely regarded as one of the most instinctive slot cornerbacks in the NFL, excelling in zone coverage, quick-twitch reactions, and run support. His smaller frame belies a physical, aggressive playing style, and he has developed strong chemistry with several Colts defensive coordinators, including Matt Eberflus and Gus Bradley. His ball-hawking instincts, tackling reliability, and ability to make plays in confined spaces have made him a centerpiece of Indianapolis’s defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Moore’s most memorable performances came on November 7, 2023, against the Carolina Panthers, when he returned two interceptions for touchdowns, becoming the first Colts defensive player in franchise history to score more than one defensive touchdown in a single game. That performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He was also named AFC Defensive Player of the Week during the 2020 season after a standout Week 14 performance against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kenny Moore II Career Wins
Throughout his career with the Indianapolis Colts, Kenny Moore II has been a consistent contributor in the secondary, with his statistical peaks coming in the 2020 and 2021 seasons when he posted career-high interception totals. His 2021 Pro Bowl selection cemented his status among the league’s top defensive backs.
NFL Highlights
Moore’s most productive seasons came in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, he started 14 games and recorded 80 combined tackles, 14 pass deflections, a career-high four interceptions, and two sacks. In 2021, he started all 17 games and totaled 102 combined tackles, 13 passes defensed, four interceptions, one forced fumble, and one sack, becoming one of only two NFL defensive backs that season to register 100 tackles and at least 10 passes defensed.
Other Wins and Performances
Moore’s most recent notable season came in 2024, when he finished with 78 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, three interceptions, one fumble recovery, one touchdown, and half a sack in 15 games. He also matched a career-high with two interceptions in a single game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. Pro Football Focus graded him 42nd among 222 qualifying cornerbacks for the 2024 season.
Kenny Moore II Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Kenny Moore II’s family background is limited. He was raised in Valdosta, Georgia, and developed his athletic foundation at Lowndes High School, where he participated in multiple sports.
Personal Life
Moore maintains an active presence on social media and is represented online under handles associated with his nickname. He signed a three-year, $30 million contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts in March 2024, which runs through the 2027 season, indicating his long-term commitment to the franchise.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Kenny Moore II remains the Indianapolis Colts’ No. 1 starting cornerback under head coach Shane Steichen. The Colts extended Moore in March 2024 with a three-year, $30 million contract, signaling their confidence in his continued production and leadership in the secondary. He is paired with second-year cornerback Jaylon Jones as Indianapolis looks to build on the defensive identity it cultivated late in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Moore will look to bounce back from a 2024 campaign in which he played 15 games and posted 78 combined tackles, three interceptions, and one defensive touchdown. The Colts’ defense will continue to rely on his versatility in the slot and his ability to generate turnovers, particularly through his pass-rushing and blitz packages off the edge. As a veteran leader in a young secondary, Moore’s presence is expected to play a key role in Indianapolis’s pursuit of an AFC South title.
With a full offseason of health and continuity alongside defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Moore is well-positioned to chase another Pro Bowl-caliber year. His combination of experience, football intelligence, and playmaking ability makes him a central figure in the Colts’ defensive plans for 2025.