Jack Wilson Bio
Jack Wilson (born October 22, 1999) is an American professional football player who plays tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Wilson came to professional football through an unusual route, having spent the bulk of his college years as a basketball player across four universities before walking on to the Washington State Cougars football program and eventually earning a place in the NFL.
At 6 feet 11 inches tall, Wilson stands out in any football locker room and is regarded as the tallest player in the history of the Washington State football program. If he were to appear in a regular NFL game, he would be the tallest player ever to do so, a mark that reflects both his unusual athletic profile and the nontraditional path he took to the league.
Early Life and Background
Wilson was born in Montara, California, and grew up in the surrounding Bay Area. He attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, where he first built the frame and coordination that would later make him an intriguing prospect on both the basketball court and the football field.
As a high school player, Wilson emerged as the number one-ranked center recruit in the West region and earned four-star basketball recruit status. His combination of size and skill drew attention from major college programs, and he ultimately committed to play basketball at Oregon State University.
Wilson spent most of his formative athletic years focused on basketball, an experience that helped him develop footwork, balance, and body control. Those skills would later prove valuable when he transitioned to the offensive line and learned to use his frame, length, and agility in pass protection and run blocking.
Path to the NFL
Wilson’s road to the NFL ran through four universities and two sports. He began his college career with the Oregon State Beavers during the 2018–2019 basketball season, appearing in seven games before withdrawing from the program in December 2018. Oregon State head coach Don Verlin’s successor staff at Idaho then recruited Wilson, and he committed to the Idaho Vandals in January 2019.
Because of NCAA transfer rules, Wilson had to sit out before competing for Idaho, where he eventually averaged 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds across 18 games during the 2019–2020 season. Midway through that year, he left the Idaho basketball program to focus on a career as a strength and conditioning coach and began interning with the Washington State basketball program.
It was at Washington State that Wilson’s career pivoted. Through his work with the basketball staff, he became acquainted with the school’s football strength and conditioning team. Impressed by his size and athleticism, the football staff offered him a walk-on spot. Wilson was initially recruited as an edge rusher before being moved to the offensive line, and he went on to play a total of 25 games for the Cougars, primarily on special teams, while redshirting for one year.
Jack Wilson Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Wilson’s early football career unfolded entirely at Washington State, where he joined the program as a walk-on in 2020. He redshirted during his first year with the football team, using the time to learn the fundamentals of the offensive line and adjust to the physical demands of the sport.
Once eligible, Wilson carved out a role on special teams, appearing in a total of 25 games across his time in Pullman. He was also the first Washington State student-athlete to play both basketball and football since Brandon Gibson during the 2007–2008 season, a distinction that underscored how rare his dual-sport journey was within the program.
Washington State Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Wilson’s breakthrough came during his three seasons with Washington State, where he transitioned from raw walk-on to a recognized presence on the Cougars’ roster. Standing at an extraordinary height for the position, he drew notice for his length and physical tools even as he continued to learn the technical side of offensive line play.
He became the tallest player in the history of the Washington State football program, a record that highlighted how unique his physical profile was within the conference. While his role on offense was still developing, his special teams work and sheer size made him a player that coaches were willing to develop.
Wilson’s final year at Washington State included a return to the basketball court for the 2022–2023 season, allowing him to finish his college basketball career while continuing to train with the football program.
Minnesota and Final College Season (2023–2024)
After leaving Washington State, Wilson transferred to the University of Minnesota to pursue a master’s degree in exercise science and to find a basketball program that would offer him more playing time. NCAA eligibility rules combined with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic gave him one more year of basketball eligibility but did not grant him an additional year of football eligibility.
Minnesota head coach Ben Johnson welcomed Wilson to the program, describing him as a strong, physical player, a willing worker, and a good athlete. Wilson made the most of his limited opportunity, recording 11 points and six rebounds across seven games for the Golden Gophers.
When his college basketball career concluded, Wilson had appeared in 50 games across Oregon State, Idaho, Washington State, and Minnesota, an unusual total for a player who would soon turn his full attention to professional football.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2024–Present)
Wilson’s professional football career began when the Indianapolis Colts signed him to the team’s practice squad on October 9, 2024. He later was released during the season, but the Colts brought him back on a reserve/futures contract on January 8, 2025, keeping him in the organization.
At 6 feet 11 inches, Wilson joined Mo Alie-Cox as a former college basketball player on the Colts roster. If he were to see game action in the NFL, he would become the tallest player ever to appear in an NFL game, a record that reflects both his rare physical tools and his unusual athletic background.
On July 28, 2025, the Colts placed Wilson on injured reserve after he sustained a pectoral injury, pausing his development as he worked toward a return to the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wilson’s most notable milestones are tied to his height. He set the record as the tallest player in Washington State football history and stands as the tallest player ever associated with an NFL roster. His journey from four-star basketball recruit to walk-on football player to professional offensive lineman is itself a defining milestone of his career.
Jack Wilson Family
Personal Life
Wilson was raised in Montara, California, and attended Junípero Serra High School in nearby San Mateo, a program known for producing college-level athletes in multiple sports. His path through four universities suggests a close support system that allowed him to pursue both academic and athletic opportunities across the country.
2025 Season Performance
Wilson’s 2025 storyline is centered on recovery and roster development rather than on-field statistics. After signing a reserve/futures contract with the Indianapolis Colts in January 2025, he spent the offseason preparing for his first full professional football calendar and competing for a role along the offensive line.
That progress was interrupted on July 28, 2025, when the Colts placed Wilson on injured reserve following a pectoral injury. The move kept him off the active roster and shifted his focus to rehabilitation as the regular season approached.
Wilson’s long-term outlook depends on how he returns from the pectoral injury and how the Colts choose to deploy his rare frame along the offensive line. If he does play in a regular-season NFL game, he will set a new league record for height, a milestone that would cap one of the more unconventional journeys in recent NFL history.