A big-play running back who bounced across three college programs before a breakout close to his career and a UDFA deal with Green Bay.
Jaden Nixon played for Oklahoma State, Western Michigan, and UCF over his college career, using his speed as both a runner and kick returner. Undrafted in 2026, he signed with the Packers and is the cousin of Hall of Fame-caliber running back Adrian Peterson.
Path to the league
A Dallas, Texas native out of Lone Star High School in Frisco, Nixon began his career at Oklahoma State from 2021 to 2023 before transferring to Western Michigan for 2024 and finishing at UCF in 2025. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Green Bay Packers.
Career highlights
Nixon broke out at Western Michigan in 2024, rushing for 919 yards and 12 touchdowns on 143 carries and earning first-team All-MAC honors. He is the cousin of longtime NFL running back Adrian Peterson and the son of former Oklahoma State player Jeroid Johnson and track standout Tina Nixon.
2025 season recap
In his lone season at UCF, Nixon rushed for 554 yards and a team-leading 7 touchdowns on 71 carries, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt, while adding 17 receptions for 88 yards across 12 games. He also returned kicks, racking up 438 return yards at a 23.1-yard average on 19 attempts.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jaden Nixon
- ESPN: Jaden Nixon
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- UCF
- Hometown
- Irving, TX, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
