Justin Joly

Justin Joly
Joly in 2025
No. 80 – Miami Dolphins
PositionTight end
Roster status
Active
Personal information
Born (2004-07-09) July 9, 2004 (age 22)
Listed height
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight
241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolIona Prep (New Rochelle, New York)
College
NFL draft2026: 5th round, 152nd overall pick
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2026
Games played1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Justin Joly (JOE-lee; born July 9, 2004) is an American professional football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UConn Huskies and NC State Wolfpack. Joly was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Early life

Joly attended Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York. During his high school career he had 123 receptions for 1,827 yards and 22 total touchdowns. He committed to the University of Connecticut to play college football.

College career

As a true freshman at UConn in 2022, he played in 12 games and had 18 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2023, he led the team with 56 receptions for 578 yards and two touchdowns. After the season, he entered the transfer portal and transferred to NC State University.

Joly made an immediate impact at NC State, finishing with 43 catches for 661 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 15.4 yards per reception, fourth among all FBS tight ends. He was named to the Mackey Award preseason watch list ahead of that first season in Raleigh.

As a senior in 2025, Joly posted career highs in receptions (49) and touchdowns (seven, tying the NC State program record) and earned first-team All-ACC honors.

He capped his college career by winning Tight End MVP at the 2026 Senior Bowl.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan20-yard shuttleVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 3+1⁄2 in
(1.92 m)		241 lb
(109 kg)		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m)		10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		6 ft 7+3⁄8 in
(2.02 m)		4.65 s30.5 in
(0.77 m)		9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day

Denver Broncos

Joly was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round (152nd overall) of the 2026 NFL draft. On May 7, 2026, Joly signed his four-year rookie contract. On August 30, he was waived by the Broncos as a part of final roster cuts.

Miami Dolphins

On August 31, 2026, Joly was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins.

References

  1. 1 2 @jjoly_17 (July 9, 2022). "More than blessed to be on this earth for 18 years" (Tweet). Retrieved December 3, 2024 – via Twitter.
  2. ↑ Thomson, Josh. "Three Iona Prep players, Panas, Somers stars make it official on National Signing Day". The Journal News.
  3. ↑ Adamec, Carl (November 24, 2023). "Tight end Justin Joly bright spot in disappointing UConn football season: 'I love the game'". CT Insider. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Tight end Justin Joly, UConn's top receiver in 2023, picks N.C. State".
  5. ↑ "UConn football tight end Justin Joly enters transfer portal".
  6. ↑ "Former UConn receiver Justin Joly finds home at NC State". December 15, 2023.
  7. ↑ Baxley, Rodd. "What Justin Joly can bring to NC State football, Wolfpack offense in 2024 season". The Fayetteville Observer.
  8. ↑ https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Justin-Joly-TE-Connecticut
  9. ↑ https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Justin-Joly-TE-Connecticut
  10. ↑ "Justin Joly Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Justin Joly College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  12. ↑ Weir, Susanna (April 25, 2026). "Broncos select TE Justin Joly with 152nd-overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  13. ↑ Weir, Susanna (May 7, 2026). "Broncos TE Justin Joly signs rookie contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  14. ↑ DiLalla, Aric (August 30, 2026). "Broncos make series of roster moves to reach 53-player roster limit". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Dolphins make roster moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 31, 2026.