Justin Joly: Career, College Stats, NFL Journey and More

Justin Joly is an American football tight end whose journey from high school football in New York to college football at UConn and NC State eventually led him to the NFL. Born on July 9, 2004, Joly developed into a versatile pass-catching tight end after beginning his football career with Iona Preparatory School. His combination of size, hands, route-running ability, and experience as a former wide receiver helped him become an important offensive weapon during his college career.

Joly entered the 2026 NFL Draft after two seasons at NC State and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round with the 152nd overall pick. He later joined the Miami Dolphins after being claimed off waivers. As of the 2026 season, he is listed on Miami’s active roster as a rookie tight end wearing No. 80.

Early Life and High School Career

Justin Joly grew up in Brewster, New York, and attended Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle. His high school career established the foundation for his transition into college football. During three varsity seasons, he recorded 123 receptions for 1,827 yards and 22 total touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to contribute heavily as a pass catcher. He also helped Iona Prep finish his senior season with an 11-1 record and a perfect 7-0 conference record.

Joly originally entered college football with experience and skills that were closer to those of a wide receiver. His size gave him an advantage against smaller defensive backs, while his receiving background provided the route-running and ball skills needed to develop into a modern tight end. When he arrived at UConn, he continued developing physically and eventually added significant weight as his role evolved.

Justin Joly at UConn

Joly committed to the University of Connecticut and began his college career with the Huskies in 2022. As a true freshman, he appeared in 12 games and caught 18 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Although those numbers were modest, they gave him valuable experience and showed that he could become a bigger part of the offense.

His sophomore season was a major step forward. In 2023, Joly played in 12 games and became one of UConn’s leading offensive contributors. He finished the season with 56 receptions for 578 yards and two touchdowns. His production increased dramatically compared with his freshman campaign, and his performances attracted attention from other programs.

Following the 2023 season, Joly entered the transfer portal. He ultimately chose NC State, giving him an opportunity to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and continue developing his game against high-level competition.

Move to NC State

Joly transferred to NC State in January 2024 and immediately became an important part of the Wolfpack offense. The move also represented a major physical transformation. NC State listed him at 6 feet 3 inches and noted that he had added more than 20 pounds to his frame since arriving on campus. That additional size helped him transition more completely into the tight end position.

His first season with NC State was arguably his most productive college campaign from a yardage perspective. In 2024, Joly caught 43 passes for 661 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. His 15.4 yards per reception ranked among the best marks nationally for tight ends, while his receiving yardage led NC State. The school also noted that his 43 receptions ranked fifth in program history for a tight end in a single season and his 661 receiving yards ranked fourth.

Joly continued to be productive during the 2025 season. He recorded 49 receptions for 489 yards and seven touchdowns, giving him 11 receiving touchdowns over his two seasons at NC State. He was also recognized as a first-team All-ACC player, strengthening his NFL Draft résumé.

College Statistics and Achievements

Across four college seasons at UConn and NC State, Joly played 49 games and finished with 166 receptions for 1,978 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He also recorded one rushing attempt for 12 yards, bringing his total scrimmage production to 1,990 yards.

His statistical development shows a clear progression. At UConn, he produced 828 receiving yards over two seasons. At NC State, he increased his production to 1,150 receiving yards in two seasons. More importantly, his role changed from a developing receiver into a versatile tight end capable of lining up in different offensive positions.

That versatility became an important part of his NFL evaluation. Scouts viewed him as a move tight end who could create matchup problems because of his size and receiving background. His ability to operate away from the line of scrimmage made him particularly interesting for offenses that use tight ends in motion, the slot, and other nontraditional alignments.

2026 NFL Draft

Joly entered the 2026 NFL Draft after completing his college career at NC State. The Denver Broncos selected him in the fifth round with the 152nd overall pick. The selection reflected the team’s interest in his receiving ability and versatility.

Denver subsequently signed Joly to a four-year rookie contract in May 2026. Broncos director of college scouting Bryan Chesin described him as a prototype “move” tight end who could play multiple spots and create alignment variation. The organization also highlighted his hands, contested-catch ability, instincts in the middle of the field, and background as a former basketball player.

At the time of his signing, Joly had accumulated 166 catches, 1,978 yards, and 15 touchdowns during his college career. Those numbers gave the Broncos a player with substantial experience as a receiver despite being classified as a tight end.

From Denver to the Miami Dolphins

Joly’s first NFL roster opportunity changed quickly. During Denver’s final roster moves in August 2026, the Broncos waived Joly while reducing their roster to the required 53 players.

Instead of returning to Denver’s practice squad, Joly was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on August 31, 2026. Miami officially announced the move as part of a group of waiver claims, giving the rookie another opportunity to establish himself in the NFL.

The move was significant because Joly remained on an NFL active roster despite not making Denver’s opening roster. Miami’s current roster lists him as a 6-foot-3, 241-pound rookie tight end from NC State.

Playing Style and Strengths

One of Justin Joly’s biggest strengths is his receiving ability. His background as a wide receiver helped him develop route-running skills that are useful for a tight end. He has demonstrated an ability to find open areas in the middle of the field, make contested catches, and use his frame to shield defenders.

His size is another advantage. At 6 feet 3 inches and 241 pounds, he has the physical profile to create difficult matchups for smaller defensive backs while still possessing enough athletic ability to challenge linebackers in coverage. His college production also suggests that he can become a useful red-zone target.

Joly’s versatility is particularly valuable in modern NFL offenses. Rather than functioning exclusively as an in-line blocker, he can potentially line up in the slot or move around the formation. However, blocking technique has been identified as an area where he needs continued development. Improving in that part of his game could help him earn a larger offensive role.

Justin Joly’s Role With the Dolphins

As of October 2026, Joly is part of Miami’s tight end group alongside Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek, and Seydou Traore. The Dolphins’ official depth chart currently lists Joly fourth at the position.

That means his immediate NFL role is likely to involve development, special-teams work, and opportunities to contribute when the coaching staff needs additional tight-end depth. His path to a larger offensive role will depend on how quickly he adapts to NFL blocking responsibilities and earns opportunities as a receiver.

For a rookie who entered the league as a fifth-round selection and then changed teams before the regular season began, the situation also provides an opportunity. Miami can develop him within its own offensive system while giving him time to adjust to the speed and physical demands of professional football.

Personal Life and Education

Joly’s publicly available football profiles identify Brewster, New York, as his hometown and Iona Prep as his high school. At NC State, his listed major was sport management.

He has generally kept the focus of his public profile on football and his development as an athlete. His college journey also demonstrates adaptability: he moved from UConn to NC State, changed his physical profile, developed further as a tight end, entered the NFL Draft, and then moved from Denver to Miami shortly before the 2026 regular season.

Justin Joly’s Future in the NFL

Justin Joly’s NFL story is still in its early stages. His college statistics demonstrate that he can be a productive receiver, while his physical development shows that he has worked to adapt his body and playing style to the tight end position.

The next stage of his development will likely depend on consistency, blocking technique, special-teams contributions, and his ability to take advantage of limited receiving opportunities. Miami’s depth chart currently places him behind several other tight ends, so earning additional snaps will require continued progress.

Still, Joly has already overcome several major transitions. From Iona Prep to UConn, from UConn to NC State, and from Denver to Miami, his career has required him to adapt repeatedly. His nearly 2,000 college receiving yards and 15 touchdowns provide evidence of his offensive potential.

Conclusion

Justin Joly has built an interesting football career through steady development and adaptability. His success at Iona Prep led to a college opportunity at UConn, where he developed into a productive receiver. His transfer to NC State allowed him to become a more complete tight end, and his strong two-year run with the Wolfpack ultimately resulted in a fifth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Although Denver drafted him, Miami became his NFL destination after claiming him off waivers. As of October 2026, Joly remains a young tight end on the Dolphins’ roster with considerable room to grow. His receiving skills, size, versatility, and college production give him a foundation to build upon as he works toward establishing a long-term role in the NFL.