Demetric Felton, former UCLA star, retires from NFL at 27

Former UCLA standout Demetric Felton Jr. always looked built for modern football. Under Chip Kelly with the Bruins, Felton became one of the Pac-12’s most versatile weapons: Part running back, part receiver, part return specialist and fully electric whenever he touched the ball.

Now, at just 27 years old, Felton is beginning the next chapter of his football life.

The former Cleveland Browns sixth-round pick announced his retirement from playing this week on Instagram while revealing he is returning to Cleveland in a player development role.

Former UCLA standout Demetric Felton is retiring from the NFL after bouncing around the league. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“This is not the end of my football life,” Felton wrote. “This is my evolution. I’m not retiring because I’m hurt. I’m not retiring because I don’t love this game. I’m retiring because I know there’s a football player out there who needs me.”

Felton’s NFL career lasted 24 regular-season games across stops with Cleveland, the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders.

While the production never fully matched his college explosiveness, he still flashed the versatility that made him such an intriguing prospect. Felton finished with 20 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns, while also contributing as a returner with 39 punt returns and 10 kickoff returns.

But his real football identity was formed at UCLA.

Felton evolved into one of Kelly’s favorite chess pieces during his four active seasons in Westwood. He rushed for 1,101 career yards and seven touchdowns on 233 carries while adding 99 receptions for 958 receiving yards and eight more scores.

Demetric Felton with the Commanders in 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In 2019, he set a UCLA record for running backs with 55 catches, then exploded during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with 668 rushing yards in just six games.

Even when Felton’s NFL journey became transient, bouncing between practice squads and offseason rosters, his adaptability remained valuable. Now, instead of lining up all over the field, he’ll be helping young players navigate the league he spent years trying to conquer himself.