Kris Boyd Bio
Kris Boyd (born September 12, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds, Boyd has built a career as a reliable defensive back after beginning his football journey in East Texas.
Across his professional career, Boyd has spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Texans before joining the Jets in 2025. He is also known for his track and field background in high school, where he competed in sprint and relay events.
Early Life and Background
Kris Boyd was born on September 12, 1996, in Gilmer, Texas. He grew up in the small East Texas community of Gilmer, where football is a central part of local tradition. From an early age, Boyd showed athletic promise in multiple sports, eventually focusing on football as his primary pursuit.
Boyd attended Gilmer High School, where he played under Jeff Traylor, who now serves as head coach of the UTSA Roadrunners. As a sophomore in 2012, he was named “Offensive Newcomer of the Year” in District 16-3A after rushing for 1,276 yards and 19 touchdowns while also contributing 18 tackles and a forced fumble on defense. Gilmer finished the season with a 14–2 record.
As a junior, Boyd was selected first-team All-District 16-3A as Gilmer posted an 11–2 record and reached the 3A Division 2 regional playoffs. During his senior season, he totaled 1,052 rushing yards and 808 receiving yards with 31 total touchdowns on offense, while adding 43 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery on defense. He led Gilmer to a 16–0 record and the 4A Division 2 state championship, and was later selected for the 2015 U.S. Army All-America Bowl.
Path to American Football
Boyd’s path to becoming an NFL cornerback began with his two-way play at Gilmer High School, where he starred as both a running back and a defensive back. His success on offense and defense earned him statewide recognition and positioned him as one of the top prospects in Texas coming out of high school.
Following his senior season, Boyd received an invitation to play in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl, a showcase event for the country’s top high school players. He chose to attend the University of Texas, where he joined the Texas Longhorns football program and began developing into a full-time defensive back.
Boyd also made his mark in track and field at Gilmer, running on the 4 × 200-meter relay team that set a record at the 2015 UIL 4A state meet with a time of 1:25.49. He finished as runner-up in the 100 meters at the same meet with a time of 10.58 seconds, demonstrating the speed that would later become a hallmark of his cornerback play.
Kris Boyd Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Boyd played four seasons as a defensive back for the Texas Longhorns, appearing in 51 games and making 33 starts. He became a starter at cornerback during his sophomore campaign, when he started the final eight games of the season and finished sixth on the team with 51 tackles along with an interception, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Across his college career, Boyd collected 191 tackles, 141 of which were solo stops, with four interceptions, 40 passes defended, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He was named second-team All-Big 12 Conference by the Associated Press after his junior season, when he recorded 57 tackles with two interceptions and 15 pass breakups. In his senior year in 2018, he made 54 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and 15 passes defended, and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. He was also invited to play in the Senior Bowl following his senior season.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2019–2022)
Originally projected as a mid-round pick, Boyd slid to the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft, where he was selected 217th overall by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four-year, $2.6 million contract with the team on May 5, 2019, and joined his former Texas teammate and close friend Holton Hill in the Vikings’ secondary.
Boyd made his NFL debut against the Atlanta Falcons on September 8, 2019, recording two tackles while also drawing two penalties. He finished his rookie season with 22 tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. On December 15, 2020, he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, an early setback in his time in Minnesota.
Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans (2023–2024)
On April 10, 2023, Boyd signed with the Arizona Cardinals. His time in Arizona was brief, as he was released by the team on October 2, 2023. Shortly after, on October 27, 2023, he was signed to the practice squad of the Houston Texans before being promoted to the active roster on December 6.
Boyd re-signed with the Texans on March 19, 2024, and remained with the team through the 2024 postseason. During the divisional round of the 2024 playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs, he forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, although the Chiefs recovered the ball. Coming off the field after the play, Boyd threw his helmet to the ground and then shoved special teams coach Frank Ross, though he remained in the game. Boyd later said his actions were a celebration and that he was simply hyped up.
New York Jets Era (2025)
On March 15, 2025, Boyd signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets, beginning a new chapter in his career. The contract was scheduled to run through the 2025 season, marking his fourth NFL team in seven professional seasons.
Boyd was placed on injured reserve on August 18, 2025, halting his early-season work with the Jets. On November 16, 2025, around 2 a.m., Boyd was shot in the abdomen following a dispute that turned violent outside a restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital in critical but stable condition.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a cornerback, Boyd has built his game on speed, physicality, and coverage awareness. His track and field background, particularly as a sprinter and relay runner, has given him the straight-line speed needed to match up with NFL receivers. He has shown a willingness to contribute on special teams, as demonstrated by his role on kickoff coverage units during the 2024 postseason.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable events of Boyd’s career is the 2024 AFC divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where his forced fumble on the opening kickoff set the tone early for the Texans. His selection in the 2019 NFL draft, his first-team All-Big 12 honor in 2018, and his state championship with Gilmer High School also stand out as signature moments.
Kris Boyd Career Wins
Kris Boyd’s career highlights include his first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2018, his second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2017, and his team’s run to the 2024 AFC divisional round with the Houston Texans. He was part of four straight winning seasons with the Texas Longhorns during his college career.
College Highlights
Boyd appeared in 51 games across four seasons at Texas, recording 191 tackles, four interceptions, and 40 passes defended. His senior season in 2018 was his most decorated year, earning him first-team All-Big 12 honors and a Senior Bowl invitation.
Other Wins and Performances
In high school, Boyd led Gilmer to an undefeated 16–0 record and a 4A Division 2 state championship in 2014, capping his prep career with a U.S. Army All-America Bowl selection. He also set a relay record at the 2015 UIL 4A state track meet as part of Gilmer’s 4 × 200-meter relay team.
Kris Boyd Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Boyd comes from a family with deep football roots. His brother, DeMarco Boyd, is a former linebacker for the Texas Longhorns, giving the family a notable connection to the program where Kris starred. Two of Boyd’s cousins, Bobby Taylor and Curtis Brown, also played in the NFL, extending the family’s professional football lineage.
Personal Life
Boyd was born and raised in Gilmer, Texas, and has continued to be identified with his East Texas roots. His relationships to several family members in professional football, including his brother DeMarco and cousins Bobby Taylor and Curtis Brown, reflect a family tradition of athletic achievement.
2025 Season Performance
Boyd’s 2025 season began with his signing of a one-year contract with the New York Jets on March 15, 2025. The deal was scheduled to run through the 2025 season, giving him an opportunity to compete for a role in the Jets’ secondary.
His season was interrupted on August 18, 2025, when he was placed on injured reserve, limiting his availability during the early portion of the schedule. The situation grew more serious on November 16, 2025, when he was shot in the abdomen in Midtown Manhattan and transported to Bellevue Hospital in critical but stable condition.
Given the off-field events of November 2025, Boyd’s on-field outlook for the remainder of the season is uncertain. The Jets’ coverage plans and his eventual return timeline will likely depend on his recovery and any further updates from the organization.