Garrett Wilson Bio
Garrett Wilson (born July 22, 2000) is an American professional football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected 10th overall by the Jets in the 2022 NFL draft. Wilson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and has since developed into one of the young centerpieces of the Jets’ offense.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing roughly 183 pounds, Wilson combines quickness, reliable hands, and the ability to line up across the formation. After three full NFL seasons and a record-setting rookie campaign, he entered 2025 as a focal point of the Jets’ passing game and one of the most productive young receivers in the league.
Early Life and Background
Garrett Wilson was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 22, 2000, and grew up in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, until the age of 11. His father, Kenny Wilson, played basketball at Davidson College, giving the household an athletic foundation. After relocating, Wilson attended Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas, where his football career truly blossomed.
At Lake Travis, Wilson became one of the most productive receivers in school history, finishing his prep career with 204 receptions, 3,359 receiving yards, and 55 receiving touchdowns. In 2016, he was part of a Lake Travis team that won a 6A state championship alongside quarterback Charlie Brewer. Wilson followed that success with an appearance in the 2019 All-American Bowl and arrived at Ohio State as a five-star recruit, ranked as the second-best wide receiver in his class.
Path to American Football
Wilson committed to Ohio State University and quickly adjusted to the speed and complexity of Big Ten football. As a true freshman in 2019, he played in all 14 games, finishing with 30 receptions for 432 yards and five touchdowns. The experience offered early exposure to high-level competition and helped him develop the physical and mental tools required to handle a major college role.
Entering 2020, Ohio State moved Wilson from outside receiver to the slot, and the transition paid off. On November 21, 2020, he became the second player in school history to record four straight games with at least 100 receiving yards, a stretch that cemented his reputation as a polished route runner. Wilson earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020 and Second-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2021. He later opted out of the 2022 Rose Bowl to focus on preparing for the 2022 NFL draft, ending his college career on his own terms.
Garrett Wilson Career
Early Career (2022)
The New York Jets selected Garrett Wilson with the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, using a selection that originally came from a 2020 trade with the Seattle Seahawks. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, then announced his arrival a week later against the Cleveland Browns. In that 31–30 victory, Wilson caught eight passes for 102 yards and scored his first two NFL touchdowns, signaling the start of a productive rookie year.
Wilson closed his rookie regular season with 83 receptions for 1,103 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns, setting new Jets franchise rookie records for catches and receiving yards in a single season. His play earned him a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Offensive Rookie of the Year Breakthrough (2022–2023)
On February 9, 2023, Wilson was awarded the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, validating his first-year production. The award capped a debut season in which he delivered consistent production against a variety of coverages and established himself as a reliable target for the Jets’ quarterbacks.
Wilson started all 17 games in 2023, finishing the year with 95 receptions for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns. He maintained his role as the team’s primary receiver, expanded his route tree, and continued to develop his chemistry with the Jets’ passing attack despite ongoing changes at quarterback.
New York Jets Era (2024–Present)
On January 9, 2024, Wilson switched his jersey number from 17 to 5, the number he had worn at Ohio State, marking a symbolic fresh start. He then delivered his most complete season to date in 2024, recording 101 receptions for 1,104 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. In Week 9, Wilson caught nine passes for 90 yards and two scores in a 21–13 win over the Houston Texans, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
On April 21, 2025, the Jets picked up the fifth-year option on Wilson’s rookie contract, and on July 14, 2025, he signed a four-year, $130 million contract extension that runs through 2029. His 2025 season, however, was cut short: on November 13, Wilson was placed on injured reserve with a knee sprain, and on December 19, head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that Wilson would be shut down for the remainder of the year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wilson is at his best on intermediate routes that allow him to use his quickness, body control, and strong hands to create separation. His time in the slot at Ohio State sharpened his ability to find soft zones, while his outside experience gives the Jets flexibility to move him around the formation. He pairs reliable hands with steady route discipline, making him a trusted option on third downs and in the red zone.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wilson’s 2022 rookie records for receptions (83) and receiving yards (1,103) quickly became defining milestones. His first multi-touchdown NFL game against Cleveland, his four-game 100-yard receiving streak at Ohio State, and his 2024 AFC Offensive Player of the Week award stand out as signature moments. The four-year, $130 million extension signed in July 2025 reflected the Jets’ commitment to building around him.
Garrett Wilson Career Wins
Garrett Wilson’s individual accolades and franchise records have marked his place among the NFL’s top young wideouts. Across his first three full seasons, he has put up three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving campaigns, a level of consistency rare for players at his position.
New York Jets Highlights
Wilson opened his Jets career with 83 receptions for 1,103 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2022, setting franchise rookie records in both catches and yards. In 2023, he added 95 catches for 1,042 yards and three scores, and in 2024, he logged 101 receptions for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns, including a Week 9 AFC Offensive Player of the Week performance against Houston. His steady volume has made him a focal point of the Jets’ offense.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Wilson earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020, Second-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2021, and a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2022. He was also part of Lake Travis High School’s 6A state championship team in 2016 and played in the 2019 All-American Bowl.
Garrett Wilson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wilson is the son of Kenny Wilson, who played basketball at Davidson College. His father’s athletic background helped shape a competitive household in which sports were a constant. Wilson has also maintained a long-running friendship with New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty, a connection that dates back to their childhood.
Personal Life
Wilson resides in Dublin, Ohio, the same suburb of Columbus where he spent much of his childhood before moving to Texas. He is recognized as one of the most prominent young receivers in the NFL and continues to be a central figure in the Jets’ long-term plans.
2025 Season Performance
Garrett Wilson’s 2025 season was framed by long-term commitment and short-term adversity. The Jets picked up his fifth-year option in April and then signed him to a four-year, $130 million extension in July, locking in the 25-year-old receiver as a cornerstone of the franchise. The early portion of the season reinforced his value, as he continued to operate as the Jets’ primary target in the passing game.
Wilson’s year took a difficult turn on November 13, when he was placed on injured reserve with a knee sprain. On December 19, head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that the team would shut Wilson down for the remainder of the season, prioritizing his recovery ahead of the next campaign.
Looking beyond 2025, Wilson remains a central piece of the Jets’ offensive identity. With his contract extension running through 2029, the organization is positioned to build its passing game around his route running, hands, and football intelligence for years to come.