Josh Kelly (American football)

Last updated

Josh Kelly
No. 73 – Houston Texans
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (2001-07-01) July 1, 2001 (age 24)
Fresno, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:186 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school: San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno)
College: Fresno State (2019–2022)
Washington State (2023)
Texas Tech (2024)
NFL draft: 2025: undrafted
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Josh Kelly (born July 1, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs, Washington State Cougars and Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Contents

Early life and high school

Kelly attended San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, California. He was rated as a three-star recruit [ citation needed ] and committed to play college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs. [1] [2]

College career

Fresno State

In four years at Fresno State from 2019 to 2022, Kelly appeared in 27 games, totaling 87 receptions for 1,305 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding 28 yards and a touchdown on the ground and returning 12 punts for 225 yards. [3] He earned all-Mountain West Conference honorable mention.[ citation needed ] After the 2022 season, Kelly entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [4]

Washington State

Kelly transferred to play for the Washington State Cougars. [5] In week 4 of the 2023 season, he hauled in eight receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Oregon State. [6] In his lone season at Washington State, Kelly recorded 61 receptions for 923 yards and eight touchdowns. [7] After the season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [8]

Texas Tech

Kelly transferred to play for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. [9] In his team debut in the 2024 season opener, he brought in ten receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown in a win over Abilene Christian. [10]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+58 in
(1.84 m)
186 lb
(84 kg)
30+78 in
(0.78 m)
10+12 in
(0.27 m)
4.70 s1.56 s2.73 s4.28 s7.02 s33.0 in
(0.84 m)
10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
8 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [11] [12]

Dallas Cowboys

After going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft, Kelly signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. [13] He was waived on August 25. [14]

Houston Texans

Kelly signed with the Houston Texans to their practice squad on August 28, 2025. [15]

References

  1. Galaviz, Anthony. "San Joaquin Memorial WR Josh Kelly talks Fresno State". Fresno Bee. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  2. Galaviz, Anthony. "Memorial WR Josh Kelly joins Bulldogs, reminds certain coach to look at the tape". Fresno Bee. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  3. "Josh Kelly". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  4. Crescenti, Alex (November 30, 2023). "WSU Wide Receiver Josh Kelly enters transfer portal". KXLY.com. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  5. Marden, Andrew (January 7, 2023). "Wide receiver Josh Kelly transfers to Washington State". YourCentralValley. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  6. Lawson, Theo (September 23, 2023). "Washington State's next men up – Josh Kelly and Kyle Williams – combined for 333 receiving yards, 4 TDs in Oregon State upset". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  7. Yates, Carter (July 21, 2024). "The Lone Star 50: WR Josh Kelly is Texas Tech's most impactful transfer". Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  8. Woods, Greg (November 30, 2023). "WSU receiver Josh Kelly, one of the Cougars' best wideouts, enters the transfer portal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  9. Giese, Nathan (December 15, 2023). "Washington State standout WR Josh Kelly to transfer to Texas Tech football". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  10. Londergan, Joe (September 5, 2024). "Cougs Preparing To See Familiar Face Josh Kelly With Texas Tech in Town". Washington State Cougars on SI. SI.com. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  11. "Josh Kelly Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  12. "Josh Kelly College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  13. Yarrish, Tommy. "UDFA Tracker: Cowboys still adding players following 2025 Draft". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  14. Walker, Patrik (August 25, 2025). "2025 Roster Tracker: La'el Collins cut, more". DallasCowboys.com.
  15. Thompson, Cole; read, Texans Wire·2 min (August 28, 2025). "Texans add two more players to round out 2025 practice squad". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 28, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)