Duke Shelley: NFL Bio & FAQs

Duke Shelley Bio

YaQuis Bertron “Duke” Shelley is an American football cornerback born October 8, 1996, in DeKalb, Georgia. He attended Tucker High School in Georgia before playing defensive back at Kansas State. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds in his senior-season Wildcats bio, Shelley was a four-year contributor who earned second-team All-Big 12 recognition from the conference’s coaches in 2018 after previously receiving honorable mention in 2017. His college career included a reputation for ball production and competitive coverage work.

The Chicago Bears selected Shelley in the sixth round, 205th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft. Chicago’s pre-draft evaluation described him as athletic, quick and competitive, with the versatility to work inside after playing primarily outside at Kansas State. Shelley later had NFL stops with the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts. The most recent affiliation verified in the retrieved official sources was with Indianapolis: the Colts signed him on July 31, 2025, then released him on August 26, 2025. Accordingly, this profile does not identify a current team as of September 22, 2026.

Position: CB

Duke Shelley Questions & Answers

What position does Duke Shelley play?

Duke Shelley is a cornerback, listed as a defensive back during his Kansas State career.

How tall is Duke Shelley?

Kansas State listed Shelley at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds during his senior season.

When and where was Duke Shelley born?

He was born October 8, 1996, in DeKalb, Georgia.

What college did Duke Shelley attend?

Shelley attended Kansas State, where he played defensive back and received All-Big 12 recognition.

When was Duke Shelley drafted into the NFL?

The Chicago Bears selected Shelley in the sixth round, 205th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft.

What is Duke Shelley’s playing style?

Shelley was praised by the Bears for quickness, athleticism, ball skills and a highly competitive approach in coverage. His college background also supported the possibility of playing both outside and inside cornerback roles.

What was Duke Shelley’s most recently verified NFL team transaction?

The Indianapolis Colts signed Shelley on July 31, 2025, and released him on August 26, 2025. The retrieved official sources do not establish a later team affiliation.