Jeremy Kerley

Jeremy Anthony Kerley (born November 8, 1988) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at TCU.

Early years
Kerley attended Hutto High School in Hutto, Texas, playing four sports, including football and baseball. He played pitcher and centerfielder in baseball. At quarterback, Kerley led his football team to its first state championship game as a junior.

He was recruited by the University of Texas and Stanford University to play baseball, and by the University of Oklahoma to play football, but ultimately decided to play college football for Texas Christian University.

College career
Kerley was converted to wide receiver and return specialist at TCU after playing at quarterback in high school. Following the 2009 season, Kerley was named Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Year after breaking the conference record for punt return yards in a season with 563 yards. He had ten touchdown catches, one touchdown pass, and two rushing touchdowns in 2010. He ranked second in the nation in punt returns and third in the nation in kickoff returns.

He was named the Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Year for the second consecutive year in 2010, as well as second-team All-Mountain West honors at wide receiver. Kerley was one of three finalists in 2010 for the Paul Hornung Award, which honors the most versatile college football player in the nation.

Pre-draft
Kerley was projected to be drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

New York Jets
Kerley was selected with the 153rd pick in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He caught his first career touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez against the New England Patriots on October 9, 2011.

During a home opener against the Buffalo Bills on September 9, 2012, Kerley got his first career punt return touchdown. After Tim Tebow requested to be removed from the wildcat formation, Kerley took his place, and threw a 42-yard pass, though the Jets fell to the San Diego Chargers 27-17.

Personal
Kerley's parents are Charlotte and Donald Kerley and Kerley has a son, Dae'shon. Kerley is married to Kristal Juarez.