Ty Chandler Bio
Tykevius Chandler is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Standing about 180 centimeters tall and weighing around 93 kilograms, Chandler plays in the offensive backfield and contributes on special teams as a returner. He joined the Vikings after a productive college career split between the Tennessee Volunteers and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Since entering the league in 2022, he has developed from a depth option into a contributor capable of starting late in seasons.
Early Life and Background
Tykevius Chandler was born on May 12, 1998, in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up in the same city and attended Montgomery Bell Academy, a private preparatory school well known for its athletic programs. As a high school player, Chandler emerged as one of the top running back prospects in the state of Tennessee. His success at the prep level helped set the stage for his recruitment to a major college football program.
Chandler earned one of the most prestigious individual honors in Tennessee high school football when he was named Tennessee Mr. Football as both a junior and as a senior. The award recognized his sustained production and impact during consecutive seasons at Montgomery Bell Academy. With that recognition in hand, Chandler was ready to move on to the college game and continue his development as a versatile running back.
Path to American Football
Chandler’s path to professional football began with his commitment to the University of Tennessee, where he joined a Southeastern Conference program with a long tradition of producing NFL talent. He played for the Volunteers from 2017 through 2020, working under head coaches Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt. Over four seasons at Tennessee, Chandler totaled 2,046 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and he also showed his pass-catching ability by becoming the first running back in school history to record a receiving touchdown in three consecutive games during the 2018 season.
Following the conclusion of his senior campaign with the Volunteers, Chandler entered the NCAA transfer portal in search of a fresh opportunity. He committed to the University of North Carolina and joined the Tar Heels as a graduate transfer under head coach Mack Brown. The move gave Chandler a chance to feature prominently in the Atlantic Coast Conference and to showcase his skills in a new offensive system heading into the next level of football.
Ty Chandler Career
Early Career (2022)
The Minnesota Vikings selected Ty Chandler with the 169th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft, giving the former Tar Heel an opportunity to compete at the professional level. Chandler’s rookie season was disrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on October 11, 2022, with a thumb injury. He remained on injured reserve until December 28, when the team activated him in time for the final stretch of the season.
Activated for the closing weeks of the year, Chandler appeared in three regular season games during his rookie campaign. In the Vikings’ Week 18 game against the Chicago Bears, he recorded six carries for 20 rushing yards. The limited but steady late-season exposure gave Chandler his first taste of NFL action and allowed the coaching staff to evaluate his readiness for a larger role the following year.
NFL Breakthrough (2023)
Chandler opened the 2023 season as the second-string running back behind Alexander Mattison. He appeared in all 17 games that year and gradually expanded his role as the season progressed. In Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints, Chandler scored his first professional touchdown on a two-yard rush, a milestone moment that signaled his growing comfort within the Vikings’ offense.
Chandler’s breakout stretch came late in the 2023 season. In Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he made his first NFL start and rushed for a career-high 132 yards on 23 carries, demonstrating his ability to handle a full workload. He went on to start the last four games of the year, finishing the season with 102 carries for 461 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. The strong finish established him as a reliable option in the Minnesota backfield.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2025–Present)
Heading into the 2025 season, Chandler was listed as Minnesota’s third-string running back behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. The role reflected the depth the Vikings had assembled at the position, while still keeping Chandler in position to contribute on offense and special teams. Early in the year, he remained ready to step in when his number was called.
Chandler’s 2025 campaign was interrupted in the season opener against the Chicago Bears, when he suffered a knee injury that sent him to injured reserve on September 11, 2025. He remained on injured reserve for an extended stretch before the Vikings activated him on December 23. His return late in the calendar added depth to Minnesota’s running back room heading into the final weeks of the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chandler is a compact, decisive runner with strong contact balance and the ability to finish runs between the tackles. He pairs a reliable pair of hands with the vision to pick up blitzes in pass protection, which makes him a three-down option in the right game plan. His experience as a kickoff returner also gives the Vikings a special teams weapon who can change field position in a single play.
Notable Events and Milestones
One signature moment in Chandler’s career came in Week 15 of the 2023 season against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he made his first NFL start and rushed for a career-high 132 yards. Earlier, in the 2018 college season at Tennessee, he became the first running back in program history to record a receiving touchdown in three consecutive games, a record that still highlights his versatility as a dual-threat back.
Ty Chandler Career Wins
As a running back and returner, Ty Chandler’s statistical milestones are measured in touchdowns, big rushing performances, and special teams returns rather than race wins. Across his NFL career, he has produced a steady stream of productive outings, including a 132-yard rushing performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023 and his first career touchdown against the New Orleans Saints the same season. His college resume also featured multiple high-yardage games at North Carolina, including a 213-yard outing against Wake Forest with four rushing touchdowns.
College and NFL Highlights
At the University of North Carolina in 2021, Chandler rushed for 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns on 182 carries and was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference. He also posted five games with multiple touchdowns that season, including a 198-yard performance against Virginia and the four-touchdown game against Wake Forest. With the Minnesota Vikings, his top NFL outputs include the 132-yard start against Cincinnati and the late-season starting role he earned down the stretch of the 2023 campaign.
Ty Chandler Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ty Chandler grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and built his football foundation at Montgomery Bell Academy. Public information about his parents and broader family background is limited, and details about a direct family lineage in football have not been widely documented.
Personal Life
Chandler focuses much of his public profile on his work as a professional football player. Verified details about a spouse, partner, or children are not publicly available, and his personal life has generally been kept private outside of his on-field career with the Minnesota Vikings.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Chandler listed as Minnesota’s third running back behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, a depth chart that limited his early-game touches. His campaign was interrupted in the season opener against the Chicago Bears, when a knee injury placed him on injured reserve on September 11, 2025. The injury sidelined him for an extended stretch and forced the Vikings to lean more heavily on their top two backs during his absence.
Chandler returned to the active roster on December 23 after a long rehabilitation period, rejoining the backfield late in the year. His activation gave Minnesota additional depth at running back and provided insurance at kickoff returner for the closing games. With his recovery complete, Chandler looked ready to compete for a more consistent role in the offensive rotation once again.
Looking ahead, Chandler remains under contract with the Vikings and is expected to be part of the team’s running back competition entering the next offseason. His late-2025 return and previous late-season success in 2023 give him a track record of finishing strong. If he can stay healthy, he will have a clear opportunity to push for a larger share of the carries in Minnesota’s offense.