From Heisman hopeful to NFL practice squad: the resilient journey of Kedon Slovis
In short: In 2020, he was a Heisman Trophy contender. By 2021, he was navigating the transfer portal. Follow the high-stakes career of a quarterback who has traversed the nation's biggest conferences and survived the professional grind, moving from collegiate stardom to the relentless cycle of NFL practice squads.
Kedon Slovis’s ascent began with record-breaking performances at the University of Southern California. After stepping in for an injured JT Daniels in 2019, Slovis set a school record for touchdowns in a single game against Stanford. His freshman campaign was statistically historic: he achieved an NCAA freshman record 71.8% completion percentage, throwing for 3,502 yards and 30 touchdowns. These feats earned him the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award and placed him on the 2020 Davey O'Brien Award Watch List alongside stars like Trevor Lawrence.
However, the momentum of his early career faced significant disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic suspended the 2020 Pac-12 season, and Slovis himself became a vocal figure in the fight to resume play, co-signing an open letter to Governor Gavin Newsom. While his 202/2020 season saw impressive comeback victories, a season-ending shoulder injury during the Pac-12 Championship Game against Oregon halted his trajectory. Following a difficult junior season at USC, he entered the transfer portal, moving to the Pittsburgh Panthers in late 2021 and later to the BYU Cougars in late 2022.
Slovis's professional path has been defined by the volatility of the NFL roster cycle. After going undrafted in 2024, he navigated stints with the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans. His career has been a series of brief opportunities and roster cuts, eventually leading to a promotion to the Arizona Cardinals' active roster in October 2025. As of September 2026, the former collegiate standout continues his pursuit of professional stability as a member of the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kedon Slovis
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-kedon-slovis.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
