A four-year Minnesota starting corner whose promising rookie training camp was cut short by a torn ACL.
Justin Walley was a third-round pick out of Minnesota in 2025, valued for his experience and ball production after four years as a starter for the Gophers. A torn ACL in an August joint practice wiped out his entire rookie season before it began.
Path to the league
The Colts drafted Walley in the third round (80th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, notable given he had recently played through a broken wrist during the pre-draft process and still worked out at every opportunity. He entered camp competing for outside snaps alongside veterans Kenny Moore II and Charvarius Ward.
Career highlights
Walley started 42 of 49 games across four seasons at Minnesota, recording seven interceptions, 27 passes broken up, three forced fumbles and 155 tackles while playing both slot and outside cornerback. Opposing quarterbacks posted just a 54.2 passer rating when targeting him. He also ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the combine, the eighth-fastest among cornerbacks, despite doing so in a cast following December wrist surgery.
2025 season recap
Walley was having what teammates and coaches described as an excellent training camp and appeared on track for a starting role before tearing his ACL during a joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens in August. The injury ended his rookie season before it started, leaving him with no regular-season statistics as he now works toward a 2026 return.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Justin Walley
- Pro Football Reference: Justin Walley
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- Minnesota
- Hometown
- D'lberville, MS, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
