Jedrick Wills Jr. Bio
Jedrick Wills Jr. (born May 17, 1999) is an American professional football offensive tackle who plays in the National Football League. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. Wills has spent his entire professional career with the Browns, where he has been a starter at offensive tackle since his rookie season.
Early Life and Background
Jedrick Wills Jr. was born on May 17, 1999, in Lexington, Kentucky. He grew up in Lexington and attended Lafayette High School, where he developed into one of the most highly regarded offensive line prospects in the country. As a junior and senior, he was named first-team All-State by the Associated Press, and he was invited to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, one of the premier high school all-star showcases in the United States.
Wills was rated as the top college prospect in the state of Kentucky during his recruitment. He chose to play college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide over scholarship offers from several other major programs, including Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, and Notre Dame. That decision to leave his home state and join one of the most decorated programs in college football set the stage for his rapid rise as a professional prospect.
Path to Professional Football
Wills arrived at the University of Alabama as part of the Crimson Tide’s 2017 recruiting class and appeared in 11 games during his true freshman season. His lone start came against Ole Miss, when Alabama opened the game with a six-lineman formation. The experience gave Wills early exposure to SEC-level competition and helped him earn a larger role the following year.
Going into his sophomore season, Wills was named the starter at right tackle. He started all 15 games for the Crimson Tide that year and was recognized as the Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week after the team’s week 7 game against Missouri. In January 2020, after a decorated junior season in which he started every game and was honored as a consensus second-team All-American and a first-team All-SEC selection, Wills announced that he would forgo his senior year and declare for the 2020 NFL draft.
Jedrick Wills Jr. Career
Early Career (2020)
Wills was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, though he left that game early with a minor shin injury. Despite the early setback, he settled into the starting lineup and became a regular presence on the Browns’ offensive line.
In Week 10 of his rookie season, Wills won the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award after helping the Cleveland offense rack up 231 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans. He was the first offensive lineman to win the award since 2013, underscoring how impactful his run blocking had been that week. Wills was briefly placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in late December 2020 before being activated two days later, and he finished the year by being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Browns Tenure (2020–2024)
Wills spent his first several seasons in Cleveland as a full-time starter at offensive tackle, lining up against some of the most physical pass rushers in the league on a weekly basis. His combination of size, athleticism, and run-blocking strength made him a key piece of the Browns’ offensive front during a stretch in which Cleveland returned to playoff contention.
On May 2, 2023, the Cleveland Browns picked up the fifth-year option on Wills’ rookie contract, signaling their commitment to him as a long-term building block. That season, however, was disrupted when he suffered an MCL injury in Week 9 and was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2023. According to NFL statistics available through the 2024 season, Wills had appeared in 58 career games and made 57 starts, reflecting his durability and importance to the Browns’ lineup.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wills is known for his combination of size, length, and mobility at the offensive tackle position. His ability to play with leverage in the run game and mirror edge rushers in pass protection made him an effective fit for Cleveland’s downhill, physical offensive scheme. He developed a reputation as a dependable, assignment-sound blocker whose consistency helped stabilize the Browns’ front.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Wills’ career are his selection as the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft and his Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award during his first season. He was also part of the Alabama team that won the College Football Playoff national championship in the 2017 season, the same year he enrolled in Tuscaloosa. Being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team rounded out a strong first year in the league.
Jedrick Wills Jr. Career Awards
Wills has accumulated an impressive list of individual and team honors at both the college and professional levels. He was a College Football Playoff national champion with Alabama in 2017, a first-team All-SEC selection in 2019, a consensus second-team All-American in 2019, and a member of the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2020.
College and Professional Honors
His college awards reflect his standing as one of the premier offensive linemen in college football during his final season at Alabama. His professional recognition came quickly, with the PFWA All-Rookie Team nod following his first NFL campaign, when he started the majority of the Browns’ games at offensive tackle.
Jedrick Wills Jr. Family
Personal Life
Wills grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, and attended Lafayette High School before leaving the state to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He has spent his professional career in the Cleveland area while playing for the Browns.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 season, Wills remains under contract with the Cleveland Browns after the team picked up his fifth-year option in May 2023. He is expected to remain a central part of the Browns’ offensive line as the franchise looks to build on its run-heavy identity and protect its young quarterback room.
The MCL injury that cut short part of his 2023 campaign will be a storyline to monitor, as his availability and conditioning will play a major role in Cleveland’s plans up front. With the Browns’ commitment to him already demonstrated through the option pickup, 2025 represents an opportunity for Wills to re-establish himself as one of the more dependable offensive tackles in the AFC.