Tyler Goodson Bio
Tyler Goodson is an American professional football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 10, 2000, in Suwanee, Georgia, Goodson emerged as a standout athlete at North Gwinnett High School before taking his talents to the Big Ten Conference. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and has also spent time with the Green Bay Packers since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Known for his quickness and pass-catching ability out of the backfield, Goodson has steadily built a role for himself at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Goodson grew up in Suwanee, Georgia, a suburb northeast of Atlanta, where he developed his love for the game of football at a young age. He attended North Gwinnett High School, where he quickly established himself as one of the most productive running backs in the state of Georgia. During his junior season, Goodson rushed for 1,437 yards and 25 touchdowns, announcing himself as a premier playmaker in the region. As a senior, he carried the ball 159 times for 1,180 yards and 25 touchdowns, earning the prestigious title of Georgia Player of the Year.
Coming out of high school, Goodson was rated a three-star recruit by scouting services, yet his production on the field spoke louder than rankings. He received scholarship offers from several Big Ten and Big 12 programs, including Nebraska, Iowa State, Indiana, and Michigan State, before ultimately committing to play college football at the University of Iowa. His decision to join the Hawkeyes set the stage for a productive college career in one of the most respected conferences in college football.
Path to American Football
Goodson’s path to the professional ranks began in earnest at Iowa, where he joined a program known for its physical, run-first identity. As a true freshman, he led the Hawkeyes in rushing with 134 attempts for 638 yards and five touchdowns, while also contributing as a receiver with 24 catches for 166 yards. His immediate impact signaled that he was ready to handle a featured role in a power-five conference.
Following his successful freshman campaign, Goodson continued to ascend within the Iowa offense. During his sophomore season, he earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors after accumulating 762 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 143 carries. By the time he completed his junior year, he had firmly established himself as one of the top running backs in the conference, finishing his college career with substantial production on the ground and through the air.
Tyler Goodson Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
Tyler Goodson’s early career at Iowa laid a strong foundation for his professional future. Across three seasons with the Hawkeyes from 2019 to 2021, he showcased consistency and durability, finishing his junior year with 256 carries for 1,151 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, along with 31 receptions for 247 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. His ability to contribute in both the running and passing games made him a versatile weapon for the Iowa offense.
His work at Iowa did not go unnoticed, as he collected multiple All-Big Ten honors, including first-team recognition in 2020 and third-team recognition in 2021. These accolades reflected his growth as a complete back and helped position him for an opportunity at the next level, even though he went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Green Bay Packers Era (2022-2023)
Following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft, Tyler Goodson signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2022. He was waived on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts, but the Packers quickly signed him to their practice squad the following day. Goodson spent most of his rookie season developing on the practice squad before being elevated to the active roster on December 31, 2022.
On January 10, 2023, Goodson signed a reserve and future contract with Green Bay, signaling that the organization viewed him as part of their long-term plans at running back. However, he was waived by the Packers on August 29, 2023, as the team finalized its roster for the regular season. Although his time in Green Bay was brief, it provided him with valuable experience inside an NFL system.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023-Present)
On September 12, 2023, Tyler Goodson was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He continued to develop with the Colts before getting his first opportunity to contribute on the active roster later that season. On December 16, 2023, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Goodson recorded his first career NFL carry, finishing the game with 11 carries for 69 yards as the Colts earned a 30-13 victory.
Goodson was elevated to the Colts’ active roster on December 19, 2023, cementing his place on the team. In a Week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans, he was involved in a critical moment when he dropped a fourth-down pass late in the fourth quarter, contributing to a 23-19 loss that eliminated Indianapolis from playoff contention. Despite the disappointing finish, Goodson continued to build on his momentum heading into the following seasons with the Colts.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tyler Goodson is recognized for his quickness, vision, and ability to contribute as a dual-threat out of the backfield. His receiving skills, developed during his time at Iowa, allow him to be a reliable target on passing downs, while his compact build and agility help him navigate tight running lanes. Goodson’s football intelligence and pass-protection development have been key areas of growth as he carves out a longer-term role in the Colts’ offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most notable milestones in Tyler Goodson’s professional career came on December 16, 2023, when he recorded his first career NFL carries against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That performance, in which he posted 69 rushing yards, marked his arrival on the active roster and demonstrated his readiness to contribute at the highest level. His journey from undrafted free agent to active NFL contributor stands as a defining story of perseverance in his early career.
Tyler Goodson Career Wins
Tyler Goodson’s professional resume continues to grow as he develops within the Indianapolis Colts organization. While individual statistical totals across his career are still being established, his first NFL win as part of the active roster came against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 16, 2023. His role with the Colts has provided him consistent opportunities to contribute on offense and special teams.
NFL Highlights
Goodson’s first NFL win as a member of the active roster came with the Indianapolis Colts during the 2023 season, a 30-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in which he recorded 11 carries for 69 yards. The performance served as a strong indication of his ability to handle a workload at the professional level and helped solidify his standing within the Colts organization.
Other Performances
During his time at North Gwinnett High School, Goodson was named Georgia Player of the Year following a senior season in which he rushed for 1,180 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020 and third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2021 while starring for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Tyler Goodson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Tyler Goodson’s immediate family members and upbringing is limited. What is known is that he grew up in Suwanee, Georgia, where he attended North Gwinnett High School and built the foundation for his football career.
Personal Life
Tyler Goodson has kept much of his personal life private. There is no widely available public information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children. He remains focused on his professional football career with the Indianapolis Colts.
2025 Season Performance
As Tyler Goodson heads into the 2025 NFL season, he continues to compete for a role within the Indianapolis Colts backfield. After spending the 2023 and 2024 seasons developing his game and adjusting to the speed of the professional level, Goodson has looked to build on his late-2023 momentum. His work in practice and on special teams has given the Colts confidence in his continued growth as a contributor.
The 2025 season presents an opportunity for Goodson to further establish himself as a reliable depth option and potential complementary piece alongside the Colts’ lead running backs. With the team looking to remain competitive in the AFC, Goodson’s versatility as a runner and pass-catcher could play a meaningful role in offensive game plans throughout the year.
Looking ahead, Goodson’s performance in training camp and preseason action will likely shape his role for the regular season. If he can continue to demonstrate the vision, quickness, and reliability that defined his college career at Iowa, he has a strong chance to expand his opportunities within the Colts’ offense in 2025 and beyond.