Brayden Willis Bio
Brayden Willis is an American professional football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners before being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Since entering the league, Willis has continued to develop his role as a blocking and receiving tight end within the San Francisco organization.
Early Life and Background
Brayden Willis was born on November 11, 1999, in Dallas, Texas, in the United States. He grew up in Arlington, Texas, a city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area known for producing competitive high school football talent. His upbringing in this football-rich region helped shape his early interest in the sport.
Willis attended Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, where he played high school football. He developed his skills as a tight end during his time with the Martin Warriors and earned attention from college recruiters. Coming out of high school, he was rated a three-star recruit, a ranking that reflected his athletic upside and potential at the next level.
Path to American Football
Following his high school career, Willis committed to play college football at the University of Oklahoma, choosing the Sooners over other programs. He joined a program with a strong tradition of developing NFL-caliber tight ends, giving him access to high-level coaching and competition. His commitment marked the beginning of a five-season college journey.
At Oklahoma, Willis spent multiple years within the Sooners’ tight end room, working under the Big 12 conference’s offensive systems. He steadily built his blocking and pass-catching skills, eventually becoming a featured piece of the Oklahoma offense in his final seasons. His development culminated in conference recognition in 2022, when he was named Second-team All-Big 12.
Brayden Willis Career
Early Career (2023)
Brayden Willis entered the NFL when he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, going 247th overall. The 49ers, known for their balanced offense and emphasis on tight end production, provided an environment suited to his skill set. His selection added him to a roster with established veterans at the position, giving him a chance to learn from experienced teammates.
During his rookie season, Willis focused on adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game. He worked within the 49ers’ tight end group, contributing on special teams and in situational offensive packages. His first year served as a foundation for further development.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2024–2025)
In August 2024, Willis was waived by the 49ers as part of roster moves leading into the regular season. Shortly afterward, he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad, keeping him within the organization. On October 8, 2024, he was promoted back to the active roster, giving him another opportunity to contribute on game day.
Willis’s status with the 49ers was again confirmed on April 22, 2025, when he re-signed with the team. He was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, then re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On September 17, 2025, he was signed to the active roster, was waived on October 18, and again returned to the practice squad, illustrating the roster churn common at the position.
Driving Style and Strengths
Willis is recognized primarily for his combination of size and athleticism. Standing 193 cm tall and weighing 109 kg, he has the frame to function as a traditional in-line blocker while still offering pass-catching ability. His college production at Oklahoma, including his senior totals of 39 receptions for 514 yards and seven touchdowns, highlighted his capacity to contribute in the passing game.
Notable Events and Milestones
A key milestone in Willis’s career came in 2022, when he was named Second-team All-Big 12 following a strong final college season. His selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, while in the seventh round, represented another significant step, validating his development at Oklahoma. The 2025 season has seen him cycle between the active roster and practice squad, reflecting both the competition at his position and the organization’s continued interest in retaining him.
Brayden Willis Career Wins
Wins for an individual tight end are difficult to quantify in the same manner as for quarterbacks or running backs, and verified individual totals for Brayden Willis are not available in the provided sources. As a result, this section focuses on his recognized achievements rather than numerical win counts. His Second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2022 stands as his most clearly documented honor entering the professional ranks.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Willis produced a statistically strong final season, recording 39 receptions for 514 yards and seven touchdowns. Earlier in his Oklahoma career, as a senior in his traditional senior season, he caught 15 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. The jump in production during his fifth-year senior season underscored his growth as a pass catcher.
Brayden Willis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Verified details about Brayden Willis’s immediate family, including parents, are not available in the provided sources. His upbringing in the Dallas–Fort Worth area placed him near a strong football culture, and his attendance at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, reflects that environment. No public family details beyond these geographic and educational markers have been confirmed.
Personal Life
Information about Brayden Willis’s marital status, spouse, and children is not available in the provided sources. Public personal-life details beyond his birthplace and high school background are not documented in the input material. He continues to be listed as a player for the San Francisco 49ers organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been defined for Brayden Willis by a series of roster moves within the San Francisco 49ers organization. After re-signing with the team on April 22, 2025, he entered training camp competing for a depth role at tight end. As part of the league’s final roster reduction on August 26, he was waived and then re-signed to the practice squad the following day, maintaining his position within the 49ers’ system.
On September 17, 2025, Willis was signed back to the active roster, giving him an opportunity to contribute during the regular season. His status shifted again on October 18, when he was waived and then re-added to the practice squad. These transitions are common for developmental tight ends navigating a deep and talented position group.
Looking ahead, Willis remains within the San Francisco 49ers’ organizational structure, which has a track record of developing tight ends into long-term contributors. His 2022 Second-team All-Big 12 recognition and his 2023 draft selection both indicate that the team values his size and receiving ability. Continued performance on the practice squad and in any active-roster opportunities will shape his role in the seasons to come.