Mike Boone Bio
Mike Boone (born June 30, 1995) is an American professional football running back who has played in the National Football League since 2018. He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats and entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings. Over the course of his professional career, Boone has spent time with the Vikings, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Carolina Panthers, working primarily as a depth running back and special teams contributor.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 205 pounds, Boone has built his reputation on quickness, pass-catching ability out of the backfield, and reliable special teams play. Though he has rarely been a featured starter, he has produced memorable performances when given expanded opportunities, including a 148-yard rushing game against the Chicago Bears in 2019.
Early Life and Background
Mike Boone was born on June 30, 1995, in Macclenny, Florida. He grew up in the small Baker County community of Glen St. Mary and attended Baker County High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete. In addition to football, Boone lettered in both basketball and track, demonstrating the kind of athletic versatility that would later help him find a role at the professional level.
At Baker County, Boone played wide receiver rather than running back, giving coaches a glimpse of his natural hands and route-running ability. As a senior in 2013, he helped lead the Wildcats to a 7–3 record while catching 57 passes for 1,068 yards and 18 touchdowns. One of his performances that season included 211 receiving yards in a single game, setting a new school record. His play drew the attention of several college programs.
Following his senior season, Boone committed to the University of Cincinnati, choosing the Bearcats over Florida International University. The decision to join a program in the American Athletic Conference offered him a chance to transition from wide receiver to running back while competing against strong competition at the collegiate level.
Path to the NFL
Boone arrived at the University of Cincinnati in 2014 and spent four seasons developing within the Bearcats program from 2014 through 2017. Early in his collegiate career, he flashed big-play potential. On October 24, 2014, against South Florida, Boone rushed 19 times for 212 yards and a touchdown, announcing himself as a player capable of carrying a heavy workload.
By the 2015 season, Boone had become one of the more efficient runners in the American Athletic Conference, leading the league in rushing yards per attempt. That efficiency, combined with his receiving background from high school, helped him carve out a role as a dual-threat back for the Bearcats. His development continued through his junior and senior seasons, and by the time his college career ended, he had drawn attention from NFL scouts evaluating undersized but explosive running back prospects.
Despite his production, Boone went unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, largely due to concerns about his size and the depth of the running back class. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018, beginning a professional journey that has taken him across several organizations.
Mike Boone Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Boone joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 and immediately impressed during the preseason, finishing fourth in the league with 195 rushing yards. That performance was strong enough to earn him a spot on the Vikings 53-man roster, and he made his NFL debut in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills. He finished his rookie season with 11 carries for 47 yards, splitting time between offense and special teams.
The 2019 season provided Boone with his first real opportunity to shine. With starting running back Dalvin Cook sidelined by a shoulder injury in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Boone stepped into a larger role and rushed 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns in a 39–10 win. He capped his season with a 148-yard, one-touchdown performance on 17 carries against the Chicago Bears in Week 17, finishing the year with 273 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. In 2020, Boone continued contributing on special teams and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 4 after forcing a fumble on a punt return against the Houston Texans.
Denver Broncos (2021–2022)
On March 18, 2021, Boone signed a two-year contract with the Denver Broncos, hoping to take on a larger offensive role. His time in Denver was disrupted by injuries, as he was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2021, to begin the season. He was activated in mid-October and contributed as a reserve back and on special teams.
In 2022, Boone again battled injuries, landing on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury. He returned briefly in December but was placed back on injured reserve ten days later after re-aggravating the ankle in Week 14. Across his two seasons in Denver, Boone was used primarily as a depth piece and special teams contributor.
Houston Texans (2023)
Boone signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans on March 17, 2023, entering the season third on the depth chart. Limited opportunities defined his time in Houston, as he recorded only 12 touches across 14 games. On December 18, 2023, the Texans released Boone as part of their mid-season roster adjustments.
Carolina Panthers (2024)
On January 2, 2024, Boone was signed to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers, and shortly after signed a reserve/future contract. His status with the team fluctuated throughout the 2024 offseason and regular season, as he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on September 10. After being released on October 8 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later, he was promoted back to the active roster on December 28.
Miami Dolphins (2025)
On August 11, 2025, Boone signed with the Miami Dolphins in an effort to compete for a roster spot. He was released on August 26 as part of the league’s final roster cuts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Boone’s most memorable NFL moments include his two-touchdown performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019 and his 148-yard rushing effort against the Chicago Bears later that season. He was also recognized as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 4 of the 2020 season after forcing a fumble on a punt return against the Houston Texans. Despite bouncing between practice squads and active rosters, Boone has maintained a career in the league that began in 2018.
Mike Boone Career Wins
Mike Boone has not been credited with any of the major NFL individual awards during his professional career. His statistical milestones have come primarily through individual game performances rather than season-long accolades. Across his stops with the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Carolina Panthers, he has produced a handful of notable rushing and receiving outputs when given increased opportunity.
NFL Highlights
Boone’s top NFL moments include his 148 rushing yards and one touchdown against the Chicago Bears in 2019, his two-touchdown game against the Los Angeles Chargers the same season, and his NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor in 2020. He has also appeared on practice squads and active rosters with multiple franchises, demonstrating durability and perseverance through constant movement around the league.
Mike Boone Family
Personal Life
Mike Boone was born and raised in Macclenny, Florida, a small community in Baker County. He played multiple sports during his high school years, including football, basketball, and track, and his athletic versatility has been a defining part of his identity as a professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
Mike Boone’s 2025 NFL journey began in earnest when he signed with the Miami Dolphins on August 11. The signing gave him a late-summer opportunity to compete for a roster spot heading into the regular season. However, Boone was released on August 26 as part of the Dolphins’ final roster cuts, leaving his status for the remainder of the 2025 season uncertain at the time of writing.
With several teams across the league often looking for veteran depth at running back and on special teams, Boone’s track record of durability and willingness to contribute on multiple units could position him for another opportunity as the season unfolds. His history of stepping up in reserve roles, including his 2019 performances and his 2020 special teams recognition, suggests he remains a viable depth option for clubs in need of backfield help.