Justin Walley (American football)

Last updated

Justin Walley
No. 27 – Indianapolis Colts
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2002-09-22) September 22, 2002 (age 22)
Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: D'Iberville
(D'Iberville, Mississippi)
College: Minnesota (2021–2024)
NFL draft: 2025: 3rd round, 80th pick
Career history
Roster status:Injured reserve
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Justin Walley (born September 22, 2002) [1] is an American professional football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and was selected by the Colts in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life and high school

Walley attended D'Iberville High School in D'Iberville, Mississippi. As a junior, he notched 74 tackles, seven pass deflections, and an interception, while also hauling in 230 receiving yards. [2] Coming out of high school, Walley was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to playing college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers over offers from schools such as Baylor, Colorado, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. [3]

College career

In the 2021 regular season finale, Walley recorded an interception in a win over rival. Wisconsin. [4] He finished the season with 29 tackles, seven pass deflections, an interception, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown. [5] In 2022, Walley recorded 39 tackles, two pass deflections, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. [6] In the 2023 season opener, he forced a fumble with less than five minutes left which helped Minnesota come back and beat Nebraska. [7] During the 2023 season, Walley tallied 46 tackles, eight pass deflections, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. [8] In 2024, Walley's senior season, he returned an interception 70 yards in the season opening game against North Carolina. Later in the season, he returned an interception for 32 yards and a touchdown against Maryland. In all, he finished the season with 42 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, and a career high 10 passes defended.

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
5 ft 10+18 in
(1.78 m)
190 lb
(86 kg)
30+34 in
(0.78 m)
10 in
(0.25 m)
4.40 s1.52 s2.57 s4.36 s7.01 s32.0 in
(0.81 m)
10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [9] [10]

Walley was selected with the 80th pick of the 2025 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. [11] He signed a four-year contract with the Colts on May 9, 2025. [12] He suffered a torn ACL in training camp and was placed on injured reserve on August 8. [13]

Personal life

Walley is the cousin of former NFL cornerback, Dee McCann. His older brother Jaden is a wide receiver for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. [14] [15]

References

  1. "Justin Walley Cornerback Minnesota". nfldraftbuzz.com. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  2. Gabler, Nate (July 30, 2020). "Ole Miss in Top-4 For SI All-American Candidate Justin Walley". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  3. Greder, Andy (August 23, 2020). "Gophers pick up three-star cornerback prospect from Mississippi". Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  4. Johnson, Randy (December 25, 2021). "Gophers freshman cornerback Justin Walley is up for any challenge". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  5. Greder, Andy (December 22, 2021). "Back home in Mississippi, Gophers freshman cornerback Justin Walley is the one who got away". Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  6. "Justin Walley 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  7. Neal III, Le Velle (September 2, 2023). "Saluting Justin Walley and his punch that saved the Gophers". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  8. Johnson, Randy (December 4, 2023). "Gophers cornerback Justin Walley says he'll return for 2024 season". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  9. "Justin Walley Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  10. "Justin Walley College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  11. Jones, Dylan (April 25, 2025). "D'Iberville alum Justin Walley drafted by Indianapolis Colts with 80th pick of 2025 NFL Draft". WLOX . Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  12. Newell, Nat (May 9, 2025). "Colts sign seven draft picks; see who signed and estimated contracts". The Indianapolis Star . Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  13. "Colts place RB Salvon Ahmed, CB Justin Walley on injured reserve; sign T Marcellus Johnson, CB B.J. Mayes, RB Nate Noel, RB Nay'Quan Wright; release CB Tre Herndon". Colts.com. August 8, 2025.
  14. "Justin Walley". Minnesota Golden Gophers . Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  15. Milligan, Rashad (July 24, 2020). "Dandy Dozen: Justin Walley ready for challenge to lead like his brother at D'Iberville". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved April 22, 2024.