Ex-Buffalo Bills Superstar & 2-Time National Champion Announces Shocking Retirement At 31
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Levi Wallace definitely made the most of his best years. After going undrafted in 2018, he worked his way into a starting role with the Buffalo Bills and became one of the team’s most reliable defensive backs.
Now, the former Denver Broncos cornerback has announced his retirement after eight NFL seasons. Wallace shared the news on Instagram on Friday with a simple caption, “Walk-on. Undrafted. 8 years. Retired. Not bad.”
Wallace’s NFL journey was one few expected. He signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent and spent four seasons in Buffalo. He later played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos. During the 2025 offseason, he also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirmed the news on X, writing, “Cornerback Levi Wallace announced on IG that he’s retiring. Spent eight years in the league, starting 72 games.” Wallace ends his career with about $13.515 million in career earnings.
From Alabama Walk-On To NFL Starter
Wallace’s journey to the NFL was far from ordinary. He enrolled at the University of Alabama as a regular student in 2013 and played intramural flag football. After his father encouraged him to try out for the football team, he joined Alabama as a walk-on in 2014. He later earned a scholarship and helped the Crimson Tide win national championships in 2015 and 2017.
During his final college season in 2017, Wallace recorded 48 tackles, three interceptions, and 18 pass breakups. He also started in Alabama’s 26-23 overtime win over Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Even with that success, Wallace went undrafted because NFL teams had concerns about his size and speed. He stood 6 feet tall, weighed 179 pounds, and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds.
Wallace went on to enjoy a solid NFL career. He played in 96 games, started 72 of them, and finished with 333 tackles, 56 pass breakups, and 12 interceptions. According to Preme Football on X, his 12 interceptions rank fourth among undrafted players since 2018, while his 56 pass breakups rank sixth.
He joined the Broncos before the 2024 season on a one-year, $1.22 million contract after spending two years with the Steelers on a two-year, $8 million deal.
His final NFL season ended on a tough note. In a Monday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 2, Wallace gave up six catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns, with former Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy doing most of the damage. Denver replaced him with rookie Kris Abrams-Draine later in the game, and Wallace never played another game.
