K. J. Cloyd

Last updated
K. J. Cloyd
Personal information
Born: (2001-02-19) February 19, 2001 (age 24)
Columbia, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
Position: Linebacker
High school: Columbia
College:
NFL draft: 2024: undrafted
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Kevon "K. J." Cloyd (born February 19, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and Miami Hurricanes.

Contents

Early life

Cloyd was born in Columbia, Mississippi to Elsie Cowart and Kevin Cloyd, both former college basketball players. [1] He played high school football at Columbia High School. [2] While participating in an Oklahoma drill, Cloyd severed multiple nerves in his arm. Barely avoiding amputation, Cloyd would go on to miss his entire sophomore season and four games of his junior season due to the injury. [3] Despite this, upon graduating he played JUCO football at Jones College for a season and eventually became a three-star recruit. [3] [4]

College career

Ahead of the 2020 college football season, Cloyd committed to Louisville. [5] In 2020, Cloyd mostly played on special teams and recorded 12 tackles. In 2021, he made his first college start and played in all 12 games, once again making 12 tackles. In 2022, he had 15 tackles and a fumble recovery. [6]

In 2023, heading into his senior year, Cloyd transferred to Miami. During his sole season with the Hurricanes, Cloyd played in all 12 games and started six. He had the fifth most tackles on the team at 42, while also recording 6.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks, and a pass breakup. [6]

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 1+3⁄8 in
(1.86 m)		228 lb
(103 kg)		31+3⁄8 in
(0.80 m)		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		4.75 s1.58 s2.66 s4.48 s7.08 s34 in
(0.86 m)		10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		19 reps
All values from Pro Day [7]

Minnesota Vikings

After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, Cloyd signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. [8] On July 25, he was waived by the Vikings. [9]

New York Giants (first stint)

On August 11, 2024, Cloyd was signed by the New York Giants. [10] During Week 3 of the preseason, Cloyd's performance stood out against the New York Jets. [11] On August 28, Cloyd was released and then re-signed to the practice squad. [12] [13] On August 31, Cloyd was released by the Giants once again to make room on the practice squad for Gervarrius Owens. [14]

Denver Broncos

On December 10, 2024, Cloyd signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad. [15] He signed a reserve/future contract with Denver on January 13, 2025. [16] Cloyd was waived by the Broncos on May 12. [17]

New York Giants (second stint)

On August 4, 2025, Cloyd signed with the New York Giants. [18] He was released by the Giants on August 22. [19]

Personal life

Cloyd has a fear of butterflies. [1] In college, he majored in liberal arts. [6]

References

  1. 1 2 "K.J. Cloyd - Football". University of Louisville Athletic. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  2. ↑ Doherty, Tim; Curet, Taylor (2018-07-27). "Players of the Pine Belt - Columbia's K.J. Cloyd". WDAM. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  3. 1 2 Forness, Tyler (2024-07-02). "Minnesota Vikings 90-man roster: Will K.J. Cloyd go from JUCO to the NFL? | Sporting News". Sporting News. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  4. ↑ "Kevon Cloyd - 2019 - Football". Jones College Athletics. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  5. ↑ "K.J. Cloyd, Miami Hurricanes, Linebacker". 247Sports. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  6. 1 2 3 "K.J. Cloyd". University of Miami Athletics. 2023-08-04. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  7. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout K.J. Cloyd College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  8. ↑ Lewis, Alec (2024-04-29). "Vikings UDFA signings: 17 thoughts on the 17 post-NFL Draft additions". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  9. ↑ Peters, Craig (2024-07-25). "Vikings Sign LB Jabril Cox & CB Jacobi Francis". Vikings.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  10. ↑ Traina, Patricia (2024-08-11). "Giants Sign Linebacker KJ Cloyd to 90-man Roster; Waive Cornerback Kaleb Hayes". New York Giants On SI. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  11. ↑ Olsen, Brandon; Traina, Patricia (2024-08-25). "Stock Report from New York Giants Preseason Finale vs New York Jets". New York Giants On SI. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  12. ↑ Eisen, Michael (2024-08-28). "Giants announce initial 53-man roster for 2024". Giants.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  13. ↑ Eisen, Michael (2024-08-28). "Giants sign 15 players to practice squad". Giants.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  14. ↑ Fennelly, John (2024-08-31). "Giants sign Gervarrius Owens to practice squad, release K.J. Cloyd". Giants Wire. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  15. ↑ DiLalla, Aric (2024-12-10). "Broncos sign LB K.J. Cloyd to practice squad". Denver Broncos. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  16. ↑ DiLalla, Aric (2025-01-13). "Broncos sign 13 players to future contracts". Denver Broncos. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  17. ↑ DiLalla, Aric (2025-05-12). "Broncos sign TE Cole Fotheringham, ILB Jordan Turner, WR Kyrese White and LS Zach Triner, waive four players". Denver Broncos. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  18. ↑ Salomone, Dan. "Giants sign RB Jonathan Ward, LB K.J. Cloyd; LB Ty Summers, RB Rushawn Baker injured". giants.com. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  19. ↑ Salomone, Dan. "Giants release 8 players ahead of 53-man roster deadline". giants.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
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