Last Updated on October 15, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Elijah Arroyo is an American professional football tight end who plays for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 5, 2003, in Florida, Arroyo has a distinctive family background shaped by his childhood in the United States and Mexico. His mother, LaTorri Arroyo, helped him develop his passion for football, while his grandfather, Marvin Hudson, inspired his love for the University of Miami.
Beyond his professional football achievements, fans are interested in learning about Elijah Arroyo’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings. The Seahawks tight end has been romantically linked to college volleyball player Ava Carney. He also has two younger siblings, including his brother Santana Arroyo. Here is everything publicly known about his family, romantic relationships, and upbringing.
Elijah Arroyo’s Girlfriend: Who Is Ava Carney?
Elijah Arroyo’s publicly reported girlfriend is Ava Carney, an American college volleyball player who represents the University of Miami Hurricanes.
Their relationship received widespread public attention in February 2026, when People magazine included the couple in an article about the wives and girlfriends supporting Seattle Seahawks players ahead of Super Bowl LX.
Although Arroyo generally keeps his romantic life private, Carney has occasionally shared photographs of the couple on social media.
According to People, the relationship became publicly apparent in April 2025, shortly after Seattle selected Arroyo in the NFL Draft.
Carney posted a photograph celebrating his achievement, accompanied by a supportive message for the Seahawks.
She continued sharing occasional moments from their relationship throughout the following months.
In January 2026, Carney posted photographs from a date night with Arroyo shortly before Seattle’s NFC Championship victory against the Los Angeles Rams.
Although they have been publicly identified as a couple, they have not disclosed extensive information about their private relationship.
Who Is Ava Carney?
Ava Carney is an American collegiate volleyball player who has competed for Wake Forest University and the University of Miami.
She developed into a promising volleyball prospect during high school and received recognition from national recruiting organizations.
Carney began her collegiate volleyball career at Wake Forest in 2023 before transferring to Miami for the 2024 season.
During her freshman year, she earned Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team recognition.
She subsequently continued her athletic career with the Miami Hurricanes, competing as an outside hitter.
According to her official University of Miami biography, Carney is the daughter of Shelton and Renee Carney and has two siblings, Devin and Donovan.
Her father previously played college basketball at Robert Morris University, while her brother Devin competed for Duquesne University.
Carney’s athletic background has helped her establish an independent sporting career alongside her publicly reported relationship with Arroyo.
How Did Elijah Arroyo and Ava Carney Meet?
Elijah Arroyo and Ava Carney were both associated with the University of Miami, where Arroyo played college football and Carney competed in volleyball.
However, neither athlete has publicly provided a detailed account of when or how their romantic relationship began.
Their relationship attracted attention after Carney’s social media posts supporting Arroyo during the 2025 NFL Draft.
People magazine subsequently confirmed their relationship in February 2026.
Although their exact dating anniversary remains unknown, their shared connection to Miami is an important part of their public background.
Is Elijah Arroyo Married?
As of now, Elijah Arroyo has not publicly confirmed being married.
There is no verified wedding announcement or reliable reporting identifying a wife.
His most recently documented romantic relationship is with Ava Carney, although the couple has maintained privacy regarding subsequent personal developments.
Elijah Arroyo’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Elijah Arroyo has children.
The Seahawks tight end has not made a verified announcement identifying himself as the father of a son or daughter.
His official football biographies and major interviews primarily discuss his career, parents, siblings, and Mexican heritage rather than parenthood.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that Arroyo has children without verified information.
As of now, his parental status remains publicly unconfirmed.
Elijah Arroyo’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Elijah Arroyo grew up in a family that moved between the United States and Mexico during his childhood.
His mother is LaTorri Arroyo, while his father worked selling vacation timeshares in Cancún, Mexico.
Although his father’s occupation and role in the family’s move are documented by the Seattle Seahawks and University of Miami, his full name has not been consistently confirmed through major biographical sources.
Both parents played important roles in ensuring that Elijah could continue playing football after the family relocated to Mexico.
Elijah Arroyo’s Father: Who Is He?
Elijah Arroyo’s father worked in the vacation timeshare industry, according to official reporting published by the Seattle Seahawks.
His professional responsibilities prompted the family to move from South Florida to Cancún when Elijah was approximately seven years old.
The relocation became one of the most important experiences of the future NFL player’s childhood.
Despite living in a country where soccer is traditionally more popular than American football, Elijah remained determined to continue participating in the sport.
His parents helped him find a local youth football organization, allowing him to continue training and competing.
During a March 2024 interview with CanesInSight, Arroyo confirmed that his father’s employment in Cancún was responsible for the family’s move.
However, reliable information about his father’s current occupation and additional personal details remains limited.
Elijah Arroyo’s Mother: LaTorri Arroyo
LaTorri Arroyo is Elijah Arroyo’s mother and one of the most influential people in his early football development.
Her identity was confirmed in a September 2021 feature published by the University of Miami titled “Everything I Learned About Football, I Learned it in Spanish First.”
During the interview, LaTorri recalled how her son reacted when the family announced that they would be moving to Mexico.
Although Elijah was initially uncertain about leaving the United States, his main concern was whether he could continue playing football.
LaTorri reassured him that the family would find an opportunity for him to participate in the sport.
She subsequently researched youth football programs in Cancún and discovered a team located relatively close to their home.
The decision proved extremely important for Elijah’s development.
He joined a local team, learned American football terminology in Spanish, and developed friendships with teammates.
LaTorri later explained that football became a significant family commitment because parents regularly attended practices, games, and other sporting activities.
Her willingness to support her son’s athletic ambitions helped establish the foundation for his eventual college and NFL careers.
How LaTorri Arroyo Helped Her Son Adjust to Life in Mexico
Moving to Cancún presented challenges for the Arroyo family, particularly because Elijah had to adjust to a different language and culture.
His mother recognized the importance of maintaining familiar activities while he adapted to his new environment.
Football provided an opportunity for Elijah to build relationships with other children and develop confidence.
During his time with the Troyanos de Cancún, he learned the fundamentals of offensive plays, defensive coverages, routes, and teamwork.
The experience also helped him become more comfortable speaking Spanish.
Years later, Arroyo credited his childhood experiences in Mexico with helping him develop the confidence and competitive mentality necessary to succeed in professional football.
Elijah Arroyo’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers and Sisters?
Elijah Arroyo has two younger siblings, as he personally confirmed during a March 2024 interview with CanesInSight.
One of his younger siblings is his brother, Santana Arroyo, who played youth football alongside him in Mexico.
The identity of his other younger sibling has not been reliably established through major public sources.
Santana Arroyo – Elijah Arroyo’s Brother
Santana Arroyo is Elijah Arroyo’s brother and one of the publicly documented members of his immediate family.
His name was confirmed in an October 2025 feature published on the Seattle Seahawks’ official website.
The article included childhood photographs supplied by the Arroyo family showing Elijah and Santana playing American football together in Cancún.
In the photographs, Elijah wore jersey number 36, while Santana wore number 99.
The brothers competed with the Troyanos youth football organization, which played an important role in Elijah’s development.
Although Santana has appeared in the Seahawks’ coverage of his brother’s childhood, further details about his age, education, professional activities, and personal life remain limited.
Elijah Arroyo’s Other Younger Sibling
During his 2024 interview with CanesInSight, Elijah revealed that he has two younger siblings.
He explained that growing up as an older brother helped him become comfortable assuming leadership responsibilities.
That experience influenced his approach to mentoring younger football players, particularly during his college career at Miami.
However, the available interview did not identify his second younger sibling by name.
There is also insufficient verified information to establish whether that sibling is a brother or sister.
As a result, additional personal details remain publicly undisclosed.
Elijah Arroyo’s Grandfather: Who Is Marvin Hudson?
Marvin Hudson is Elijah Arroyo’s grandfather and an important influence on his college football journey.
According to a feature published by the Miami Herald in October 2023, Hudson is a longtime supporter of the University of Miami Hurricanes.
During Elijah’s childhood, his grandfather frequently took him to Miami football games.
Those experiences helped establish the young athlete’s affection for the Hurricanes.
When Arroyo became a highly recruited high school football prospect, he sought his grandfather’s advice about attending the University of Miami.
Hudson encouraged him to consider the opportunity seriously and supported his eventual decision.
The family connection to Miami helped make Arroyo’s college football experience especially meaningful.
His grandfather continued supporting him through injuries and other challenges during his time with the Hurricanes.
Elijah Arroyo’s Mexican Family Heritage
Elijah Arroyo has repeatedly expressed pride in his Mexican heritage and the years he spent growing up in Cancún.
His family has ancestral connections to Mexico, and his childhood experiences helped him develop an appreciation for Mexican culture.
In October 2025, the Seattle Seahawks published a feature examining his relationship with the country and his desire to represent its people through professional football.
Arroyo explained that wearing a Mexican surname and representing the country’s sporting community gave him a sense of responsibility beyond his individual achievements.
His upbringing also allowed him to become conversational in Spanish, although he acknowledged that his fluency decreased somewhat after returning to the United States.
During the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, he proudly displayed the Mexican flag in a portrait, highlighting the cultural influence of his childhood.
Elijah Arroyo’s Childhood and Early Football Career
Elijah Arroyo spent his early childhood in South Florida before relocating to Cancún with his family.
He participated in youth football for several years in Mexico, where he developed his understanding of the sport.
After approximately six years abroad, the family returned to the United States and settled in the Dallas metropolitan area of Texas.
Arroyo attended Independence High School in Frisco, where he became a standout tight end.
During his junior season, he recorded 48 receptions for 648 yards and five touchdowns.
He followed that performance with 28 receptions for 635 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior year.
His achievements attracted scholarship offers from numerous major college football programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, and Texas A&M.
However, Arroyo ultimately selected the University of Miami, continuing the family connection established through his grandfather.
Elijah Arroyo’s College Football Career at Miami
Elijah Arroyo joined the University of Miami in 2021.
During his freshman season, he appeared in 12 games, recording five receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown.
His development was interrupted by injuries during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, limiting his opportunities to establish himself within Miami’s offense.
Nevertheless, he remained committed to rehabilitation and improving his performance.
His determination paid off during the 2024 season, when he returned to play in all 13 games.
Arroyo recorded 35 receptions for 590 yards and seven touchdowns, earning second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition.
His performances established him as one of the most promising tight ends entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
Elijah Arroyo’s NFL Career With the Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks selected Elijah Arroyo in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 50th overall pick.
His selection marked the fulfillment of an ambition that began on youth football fields in Mexico.
After signing his rookie contract in July 2025, Arroyo began preparing for his first professional season.
During the 2025 regular season, he appeared in 13 games, recording 15 receptions for 179 yards and one touchdown.
His first NFL touchdown came against the Washington Commanders on November 2, 2025.
A knee injury interrupted his rookie campaign, but he recovered in time to return for Seattle’s postseason.
He became a Super Bowl champion when the Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX in February 2026.
Arroyo continued his professional career with Seattle during the 2026 NFL season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elijah Arroyo’s Family
Who is Elijah Arroyo’s girlfriend?
Elijah Arroyo’s publicly reported girlfriend is Ava Carney, a college volleyball player at the University of Miami. Their relationship was featured by People magazine in February 2026.
Is Elijah Arroyo married?
As of now, Elijah Arroyo has not publicly confirmed being married, and no verified wedding announcement has identified a wife.
Does Elijah Arroyo have children?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Elijah Arroyo has children.
Who are Elijah Arroyo’s parents?
His mother is LaTorri Arroyo. His father previously worked selling vacation timeshares in Cancún, Mexico, although his full name has not been consistently verified through major biographical sources.
Who is Elijah Arroyo’s mother?
LaTorri Arroyo is Elijah’s mother. She helped him find a youth football program after the family relocated to Mexico during his childhood.
What does Elijah Arroyo’s father do?
His father previously worked in the timeshare sales industry. His employment was responsible for the family’s move to Cancún when Elijah was young.
How many siblings does Elijah Arroyo have?
Elijah Arroyo has two younger siblings, as he confirmed in a March 2024 interview with CanesInSight.
Who is Elijah Arroyo’s brother?
His brother is Santana Arroyo, who played youth American football alongside him in Cancún, Mexico.
Who is Elijah Arroyo’s grandfather?
His grandfather is Marvin Hudson, a longtime Miami Hurricanes supporter who influenced Elijah’s decision to attend the University of Miami.
Is Elijah Arroyo Mexican?
Elijah Arroyo is American and has Mexican family heritage. He spent approximately six years growing up in Cancún and has publicly expressed pride in his Mexican roots.
Where did Elijah Arroyo play college football?
Elijah Arroyo played college football at the University of Miami from 2021 to 2024.
What NFL team does Elijah Arroyo play for?
Elijah Arroyo plays tight end for the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
