Keelan Marion's NFL opportunity will come close to home. The former Miami wide receiver and return specialist signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL Draft, giving the Georgia native a chance to turn a college path through UConn, BYU and Miami into a roster spot.
SIGNED! ✍️
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) April 26, 2026
Keelan Marion ➡️ @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/4TtU2kA2fn
Falcons add former Miami WR Keelan Marion
Marion played at Grayson High School in Georgia before beginning his college career at UConn. As a freshman in 2021, Marion led UConn with 28 receptions for 474 yards and five touchdowns while also handling punt return work.
His 2022 season was slowed by injury, but he still averaged 22.25 yards per catch on four receptions. Marion then transferred to BYU, where his role expanded. In 2023, he had 20 catches for 216 yards, added 40 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, and returned 19 kickoffs for 393 yards.
In 2024, Marion became one of the top return men in college football. He finished that season with 21 catches for 304 yards and a touchdown, 80 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, and 455 kickoff return yards with two return touchdowns.
Marion transferred to Miami for the 2025 season. He started all 16 games, earned All-ACC honorable mention recognition and ranked second on the team with 57 receptions and 746 receiving yards. He also had two touchdown catches, averaged 24.4 yards per kickoff return and finished third on the team with 1,064 all-purpose yards.
Atlanta Falcons got busy after Day 1
Atlanta did not pick in the first round, but the Falcons were busy from Round 2 on. The team entered the draft with five selections and left with six after trading down on Day 3. Their class started with Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell at No. 48, giving Atlanta another Terrell in the secondary alongside his older brother, A.J. Terrell Jr. The Falcons then took Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch at No. 79.
The Falcons traded pick No. 122 to the Las Vegas Raiders for pick No. 134 and pick No. 208. They used No. 134 on Oklahoma linebacker Kendal Daniels.
The added sixth-round pick became Washington defensive tackle Anterio Thompson at No. 208. The Falcons then used pick No. 215 on LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. Atlanta closed the draft at No. 231 with Ohio State offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa.
Atlanta also signed former Miami center James Brockermeyer after the draft, giving the Falcons two former Hurricanes in their UDFA group.
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