In a thrilling match between the New York Jets and the Tennessee Titans during Week 2, the game was tied at 17 late in the fourth quarter when the Jets made a pivotal decision.

With just under five minutes remaining, the Jets opted to give the ball to backup running back Braelon Allen instead of starter Breece Hall.

That choice paid off for New York. Allen’s offensive line created a wide opening on the right side, allowing the rookie from Wisconsin to sprint through and score, putting the Jets ahead for good.

With this performance, Allen made history as the youngest player in NFL history to score two touchdowns in one game—a record that is likely to stand for some time due to the NFL’s stringent age requirements aimed at preventing very young players from competing professionally.

Here’s what to know about the youngest players in the NFL for the 2024 season.

Who is the Youngest Player in Football?

Braelon Allen is the youngest player in the NFL for the 2024 season. As a rookie with the Jets, he is currently the only player in the league who is 20 years old, turning 21 on January 20, 2025.

Before joining the NFL, Allen played at the University of Wisconsin, where he was drafted in the fourth round by the Jets in 2024. During his college career, he rushed for 3,494 yards and scored 35 touchdowns on 597 carries, showcasing his potential as a top athlete at a substantial 6-foot-1, 235 pounds.

Allen began the season as New York’s main backup running back and is expected to receive several touches each game to support their star running back in his third season. He made history as the youngest player ever to score two touchdowns in a game during the Jets’ 24-17 victory over the Titans.

It is generally challenging for young athletes to enter the NFL, as the league enforces rules stating that players must be at least three years post-high school to qualify for the draft.

This policy aims to ensure that players are physically prepared for the demanding nature of NFL play.

Some athletes have successfully navigated around these restrictions to join the league earlier, often by graduating high school early or reclassifying to a different academic year. However, these barriers have mostly prevented very young teens from making it to the NFL.

Now, 20-year-olds like Allen are becoming somewhat more common in the NFL.

Youngest NFL Players in 2024

Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime was the only other player near 20 years old when the season began; he made his debut on September 8, shortly after turning 21.

As of September 1, the NFL had 25 players all under the age of 22. Here’s the list:

• Braelon Allen, RB, Jets (20 years, 225 days)
• Audric Estime, RB, Broncos (20 years, 360 days)
• Nate Wiggins, CB, Ravens (21 years, 4 days)
• Cam Little, K, Jaguars (21 years, 15 days)
• Malik Nabers, WR, Giants (21 years, 35 days)
• Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals (21 years, 42 days)
• Keon Coleman, WR, Bills (21 years, 107 days)
• Calen Bullock, S, Texans (21 years, 124 days)
• Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs (21 years, 127 days)
• Mekhi Wingo, DT, Lions (21 years, 137 days)
• Jonah Elliss, OLB, Broncos (21 years, 151 days)
• Jaylen Wright, RB, Dolphins (21 years, 153 days)
• Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Panthers (21 years, 158 days)
• Blake Fisher, OT, Texans (21 years, 160 days)
• Terrion Arnold, CB, Lions (21 years, 163 days)
• Joe Alt, OT, Chargers (21 years, 186 days)
• Trevin Wallace, LB, Panthers (21 years, 192 days)
• James Williams, LB, Titans (21 years, 199 days)
• Cooper DeJean, CB, Eagles (21 years, 206 days)
• JC Latham, OT, Titans (21 years, 206 days)
• Troy Franklin, WR, Broncos (21 years, 208 days)
• Dallas Turner, EDGE, Vikings (21 years, 212 days)
• Kamari Lassiter, CB, Texans (21 years, 222 days)
• Kingsley Suamataia, OT, Chiefs (21 years, 227 days)
• Chop Robinson, EDGE, Dolphins (21 years, 243 days)

Youngest Players in NFL History

Pre-Super Bowl Era

Jim Snyder holds the record for being the youngest player to play in the NFL. He was just 16 years old when he took the field for the Milwaukee Badgers in the 1925 season, although he only appeared in one game, and his performance stats remain unknown.

Throughout the early years of the NFL, 23 teenagers played, as per Stathead records, but none have done so since 1944, when 19-year-old Tom Bedore and 18-year-old Frank Santora represented the Washington and Boston Yanks, respectively.

Super Bowl Era

During the Super Bowl era, Amobi Okoye holds the title of the youngest NFL player. He was selected 10th overall in the 2007 NFL draft by the Houston Texans at the age of 19. Although he turned 20 shortly thereafter, he made his professional debut at 20 years and 91 days old.

Okoye went on to play six seasons in the NFL with the Texans and the Chicago Bears, accumulating 177 tackles and 16 sacks. He is one of only five players aged 20 or younger to compete in the Super Bowl era, along with Allen, Arthur Brown, Tremaine Edmunds, and Kevin Jefferson.