Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Justin Joly is an American professional football player who plays as a tight end for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League (NFL). Known for his impressive catching ability, physical strength and competitive personality, Joly developed into one of college football’s most productive tight ends before beginning his professional career. Away from football, he comes from a supportive family that has played an important role in his athletic and educational development.
Born on July 9, 2004, Joly grew up in New York and is the son of Robby Joly and Jennifer Joly. His parents encouraged his football ambitions from childhood and celebrated his achievements throughout high school and college. Although their identities are officially documented, details about his siblings, romantic relationships and children remain limited. Here is what is publicly known about Justin Joly’s girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Justin Joly’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Justin Joly has not publicly confirmed whether he is currently in a romantic relationship. The Miami Dolphins tight end generally maintains privacy regarding his dating life, with most interviews and media coverage concentrating on his football career.
Although Joly attracted national attention during his college football career at the University of Connecticut and North Carolina State University, reliable sports publications have not identified a current girlfriend through a verified interview or official announcement.
His public appearances have primarily focused on his athletic development, professional ambitions and the importance of maintaining a strong work ethic.
Joly has also discussed his family and the sacrifices involved in pursuing football, but those interviews have not established the identity of a romantic partner.
There is no verified public announcement confirming that he is engaged or married.
Consequently, his current relationship status remains undisclosed. The absence of publicly confirmed information does not necessarily mean that he is single, only that he has not publicly identified a partner.
Justin Joly’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
As of now, there is no publicly verified information confirming that Justin Joly has children.
The Miami Dolphins tight end has not publicly announced becoming a father, and established sports publications have not reliably identified any sons or daughters belonging to him.
Although Joly has spoken about the importance of family relationships, his publicly documented interviews have primarily concerned his parents and relatives who supported his football journey.
There are no verified names, birth dates or other publicly established details concerning any children of his own.
Therefore, his parental status remains undisclosed rather than definitively established as having no children.
Justin Joly’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
Justin Joly’s parents are Robby Joly and Jennifer Joly. Their identities are confirmed by the University of Connecticut’s official football biography and photographs published by The Journal News.
Both parents supported his athletic ambitions from childhood and encouraged him to pursue opportunities at increasingly competitive levels.
Robby Joly – Justin Joly’s Father
Robby Joly is Justin Joly’s father and one of the publicly identified members of his immediate family.
His identity is confirmed in the University of Connecticut’s official athletics records, which identify Justin as the son of Robby and Jennifer Joly.
Robby was also photographed alongside his son during an important milestone in Justin’s high school football career.
On December 15, 2021, Justin signed his national letter of intent to attend the University of Connecticut during a ceremony at Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York.
His father and mother attended the ceremony and posed for a photograph with him, documenting their involvement in his college football journey.
The occasion represented an important achievement for a young athlete who had worked hard to attract attention from college football programs.
How Robby Joly Supported His Son’s Football Career
Justin Joly developed his football abilities while growing up in New York, where his parents encouraged him to pursue opportunities against strong competition.
In an April 2026 interview with The Journal News, Iona Prep head coach Joe Spagnolo described Joly’s parents as highly motivated and committed to helping their son develop his abilities.
During his younger years, Justin participated in youth football with the Harlem Jets, a program based in New York City.
Playing for the team required him to travel considerable distances from his home in Brewster, New York.
Joly regularly used Metro-North trains to travel to Harlem, sometimes completing schoolwork during the journey.
The experience demonstrated his determination to compete against talented players and improve his abilities.
His parents supported his decision to continue participating in demanding youth football programs, helping him develop the foundation for his later success.
Although Robby’s involvement in his son’s football journey is documented, reliable publications have not extensively established his occupation, educational background or personal history.
There is also no verified information confirming that Robby previously played professional or college football.
Jennifer Joly – Justin Joly’s Mother
Jennifer Joly is Justin Joly’s mother, whose identity is officially confirmed by the University of Connecticut.
Like her husband, Jennifer has supported Justin throughout his football development, from his childhood in New York to his college career and preparation for the NFL.
She attended his national signing ceremony at Iona Prep in December 2021, celebrating his decision to join Connecticut’s football program.
Jennifer has generally maintained a private life, but Justin has occasionally spoken publicly about her influence on his education and personal development.
One of the most revealing examples came during an April 2026 interview with The Journal News, when Joly discussed his plans to complete his college degree.
Although he was preparing for the NFL Draft, he explained that finishing his education remained important because his mother strongly expected him to graduate.
His comments demonstrated that Jennifer valued academic achievement alongside her son’s athletic ambitions.
Jennifer Joly’s Influence on Her Son’s Education
Jennifer Joly’s emphasis on education became particularly significant as Justin prepared to transition from college football to the NFL.
After completing his final college season at North Carolina State University, Joly began preparing for professional evaluations, team visits and the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite his busy schedule, he remained determined to complete the academic requirements for his degree.
During the April 2026 interview, he explained that he had one semester remaining and intended to finish his studies.
He humorously acknowledged that his mother would not be pleased if he abandoned his educational responsibilities.
The statement offered insight into the values emphasized within the Joly household.
Although Jennifer’s professional background has not been widely documented, her influence on her son’s attitude toward education is publicly established through his own words.
Justin Joly’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Information about Justin Joly’s siblings remains limited in reliable public sources.
His official University of Connecticut and North Carolina State University athletics biographies identify his parents or discuss his football career but do not provide a complete list of brothers and sisters.
As a result, the number and identities of Joly’s siblings have not been independently established.
Does Justin Joly Have a Brother?
As of now, no biological brother of Justin Joly has been reliably identified through official football biographies or established sports reporting.
During his departure from Connecticut in November 2023, Joly published a statement thanking his teammates and referring to the brotherhood they had developed while competing together.
However, the statement concerned his relationships with fellow football players rather than confirming the existence of a biological brother.
Consequently, those references should not be interpreted as evidence that he has brothers.
Does Justin Joly Have a Sister?
There is also no publicly verified information confirming that Justin Joly has a sister.
His official college football biographies do not identify any sisters by name, and available interviews have not established their existence.
Although he maintains close connections with relatives, no complete public family record identifies additional children of Robby and Jennifer Joly.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to describe Joly as either an only child or a member of a particular sibling group without further verification.
Justin Joly’s Childhood and Family Background
Justin Joly spent his early childhood in the Bronx, New York, before his family moved to Brewster, a community in Putnam County.
According to an April 2026 interview with The Journal News, Joly was approximately seven years old when his family relocated from the Bronx to the suburbs.
He developed a passion for football during his childhood and participated in competitive youth programs.
One of those programs was the Harlem Jets, where he gained experience playing against talented athletes.
The commitment required considerable travel from Brewster to New York City.
Joly regularly took the Metro-North Harlem Line to 125th Street and continued walking to reach practice facilities.
His willingness to make those journeys while completing schoolwork demonstrated his determination from an early age.
His parents encouraged the commitment because they believed that competing against strong opponents would help him develop his abilities.
Justin Joly’s High School Football Career
Justin Joly attended Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York, where he became one of the school’s standout football players.
He played for head coach Joe Spagnolo and demonstrated versatility as a receiver and tight end.
According to Connecticut’s official football biography, Joly completed his three-year varsity career with 123 receptions for 1,827 receiving yards and 22 total touchdowns.
During his senior season, he helped Iona Prep finish with an 11-1 record, including an undefeated conference campaign.
The team also won the Catholic state championship, providing one of the most memorable achievements of his high school career.
Joly’s performances earned him recognition as one of the region’s leading football prospects.
He eventually committed to the University of Connecticut, officially signing with the Huskies in December 2021.
His parents attended the signing ceremony, celebrating an important milestone in the family’s football journey.
How Justin Joly’s Family Influenced His College Football Career
Family encouragement remained important as Justin Joly moved from New York to Connecticut to begin his college football career.
He joined the UConn Huskies in 2022, where he quickly began developing into a productive tight end.
During his freshman season, Joly appeared in 12 games and recorded 18 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
His role increased in 2023, when he became one of Connecticut’s most important offensive players.
He finished that season with 56 receptions for 578 yards and two touchdowns, leading the team in receptions.
Despite his individual success, Joly decided to enter the transfer portal after the season.
In his departure statement, he thanked his family, particularly his parents, for their continued support throughout his time with the Huskies.
He also expressed appreciation for the university’s coaching staff and his teammates.
The decision eventually led him to North Carolina State University, where he joined the Wolfpack in January 2024.
Justin Joly’s Success at NC State
Joly immediately became an important contributor after transferring to North Carolina State.
During the 2024 season, he recorded 43 receptions for 661 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
His receiving yardage led the team, while his average of 15.4 yards per reception ranked among the best nationally for tight ends.
His performances also earned him consideration for the John Mackey Award, presented annually to college football’s outstanding tight end.
Joly returned for the 2025 season and continued developing as a dependable receiving target.
He finished his final college campaign with 49 receptions for 489 yards and seven touchdowns.
His achievements earned him first-team All-ACC recognition and strengthened his prospects for the NFL Draft.
Across four college football seasons at Connecticut and NC State, Joly recorded 166 receptions for 1,978 yards and 15 touchdowns.
His success represented the culmination of years of training and support from his family.
Justin Joly’s Family Celebrated His NFL Draft Selection
One of the most important family moments in Justin Joly’s football career occurred during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Before the event, Joly explained that relatives would gather at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, to watch the selections.
He told The Journal News that several members of his extended family lived in the southern United States, making Raleigh a convenient location for the celebration.
When the Denver Broncos selected him in the fifth round with the 152nd overall pick, he was surrounded by approximately 20 family members.
The gathering provided an opportunity for his relatives to celebrate the achievement together.
Joly had spent years preparing for professional football, beginning with youth football in New York and continuing through four college seasons.
His selection confirmed that the effort had resulted in an NFL opportunity.
According to reporting by The Gazette, members of North Carolina State’s coaching staff also spoke with Joly’s parents following the selection.
The atmosphere was described as one of excitement and celebration, reflecting the significance of the achievement for the entire family.
Justin Joly’s NFL Career: From Denver to Miami
The Denver Broncos selected Justin Joly in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 152nd overall pick.
On May 7, 2026, Denver officially announced that Joly had signed his four-year rookie contract.
The organization viewed him as a promising receiving tight end who could create mismatches against opposing defenders.
His combination of size, strong hands and ability to gain yards after receptions attracted attention from Denver’s scouting department.
However, competition for places within the Broncos’ tight end group made it difficult for Joly to secure a position on the initial regular-season roster.
Denver waived him during its final roster reductions in August 2026.
On August 31, 2026, the Miami Dolphins officially announced that they had claimed Joly off waivers.
The move gave him another opportunity to establish himself in the NFL.
Joly joined a tight end group that included Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore.
As of now, he remains with the Miami Dolphins, wearing jersey number 80 and continuing his development during his rookie NFL season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Justin Joly’s Family
Who is Justin Joly’s girlfriend?
As of now, Justin Joly has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend. His romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Justin Joly married?
There is no verified public announcement confirming that Justin Joly is married.
Does Justin Joly have children?
There is no publicly verified information confirming that Justin Joly has a son or daughter.
Who is Justin Joly’s father?
Justin Joly’s father is Robby Joly, whose identity is confirmed through the University of Connecticut’s official football biography.
Who is Justin Joly’s mother?
His mother is Jennifer Joly, who has supported his football ambitions and encouraged him to complete his college education.
Does Justin Joly have siblings?
The number and identities of Justin Joly’s siblings have not been independently established through reliable public sources.
Does Justin Joly have a brother?
As of now, no biological brother has been reliably identified in official football biographies or established reporting.
Does Justin Joly have a sister?
There is no publicly verified information confirming that Justin Joly has a sister.
Where was Justin Joly born?
Justin Joly’s publicly documented birth date is July 9, 2004. He spent his early childhood in the Bronx before moving to Brewster, New York.
How old is Justin Joly?
Justin Joly is 22 years old, having been born on July 9, 2004.
Where did Justin Joly go to high school?
Justin Joly attended Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York, where he became a standout football player.
Where did Justin Joly play college football?
Justin Joly played college football at the University of Connecticut from 2022 to 2023 before transferring to North Carolina State University for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Which NFL team drafted Justin Joly?
The Denver Broncos selected Justin Joly in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 152nd overall pick.
Which NFL team does Justin Joly play for?
As of now, Justin Joly plays tight end for the Miami Dolphins, who claimed him off waivers from the Denver Broncos on August 31, 2026.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
