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| Kenny Golladay | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kenny Golladay |
| Currentteam | Free agent |
| Number | 19 |
| Position | Wide receiver |
| Birth date | 3 November 1993 |
| Birth place | Chicago, Illinois |
| Weight lb | 214 |
| High school | Elk Grove Village (Rolling Meadows High School) |
| College | Northern Illinois University (2012–2016) |
| Draftyear | 2017 |
| Draftpick | 96 |
| Pastteams | * Detroit Lions (2017–2020) * New York Giants (2021–2022) |
| Highlights | * Pro Bowl (2019) * Second-team All-MAC (2016) |
| Nfl | kenny-golladay |
Kenny Golladay is an American professional wide receiver who entered the National Football League after a collegiate career at Northern Illinois University. Known for his size and contested-catch ability, he was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and later signed with the New York Giants. His career includes a Pro Bowl selection and leading roles in multiple NFC offensive campaigns before free agency.
Golladay was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in the Chicago metropolitan area, attending Rolling Meadows High School in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. At Rolling Meadows he played alongside teammates who pursued college football at institutions such as University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign and Purdue University, and he competed in local showcases with prospects bound for programs like Ohio State University and Michigan State University. As a multi-sport athlete, he drew regional attention that paralleled recruits who later matriculated to Big Ten Conference programs and Mid-American Conference schools.
Golladay enrolled at Northern Illinois University and joined the Northern Illinois Huskies football program competing in the Mid-American Conference. After redshirting, he developed under coaches associated with player pipelines to the NFL Scouting Combine and earned postseason recognition alongside teammates who reached the NFL Draft and Senior Bowl. His production increased in upperclassman seasons, and he recorded statistics that compared with contemporaries from programs like Boise State University and San Diego State University. He earned conference honors and participated in MAC championship pursuits that included matchups vs. teams such as Central Michigan University and Toledo Rockets football.
Golladay was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, joining a receiving corps featuring veterans and rookies who competed for targets amid opponents from franchises such as the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. His rookie contract placed him among other draft picks from that class who signed deals with teams like the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. While in Detroit, he worked with coaching staffs led by head coaches who implemented schemes influenced by coordinators with histories at programs like Oregon State University and University of Alabama. After establishing himself as a starter, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the New York Giants in 2021, entering a roster-building period alongside acquisitions paralleling free agents who joined clubs such as the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Golladay’s statistical totals include receiving yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns accumulated during regular seasons played against opponents including the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots. His season-by-season production placed him among top performers in games against NFC contenders like the Los Angeles Rams and AFC teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs. He registered Pro Bowl-level numbers in seasons that saw him compete for targets with teammates who had collegiate pedigrees at Ohio State University and Louisiana State University. Career totals reflect contributions made in divisional play versus Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchups.
Golladay is known for contested-catch ability, high-pointing the ball over defensive backs from franchises such as the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers, and for yards-after-catch potential reminiscent of receivers from Clemson University and University of Georgia. He earned a selection to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and received league recognition for performances that included multi-touchdown games against teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens. Analysts compared his skill set to other tall, physical receivers who transitioned from Mid-American Conference programs to impactful roles in the NFL.
Golladay’s background includes ties to the Chicago area and connections with athletes who attended Midwestern institutions such as Northwestern University and University of Iowa. Off the field, he has been involved in community activities similar to outreach efforts by players from franchises like the Detroit Lions and New York Giants, engaging with organizations that partner with local chapters of national groups headquartered in cities like New York City and Detroit. He has navigated contract negotiations and free agency processes that paralleled other players represented through agents who broker deals for athletes across the NFL.
Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:American football wide receivers Category:Northern Illinois Huskies football players Category:Detroit Lions players Category:New York Giants players