Michael Jerrell Bio
Michael Jerrell (born August 18, 1999) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 307 pounds, he plays one of the most physically demanding positions on the offensive line. He played college football for the Findlay Oilers of NCAA Division II and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Although lightly recruited out of high school, Jerrell developed into one of the most decorated offensive linemen in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) during his time at the University of Findlay. After spending a single offseason in Seattle, he was traded to Atlanta, where he continues his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Michael Jerrell was born on August 18, 1999, in west Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew up. He first played basketball as a young child before trying out football in sixth grade. Indianapolis has long produced college and professional football talent, and Jerrell developed his initial interest in the sport through local youth and school programs.
He attended Pike High School in Indianapolis, where he served as a reserve tight end before switching to offensive tackle as a senior. During that final high school season, he earned All-Indiana and All-Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference honors. Despite that recognition, he received little attention as a recruit and was not offered a scholarship by any NCAA Division I program.
Jerrell ultimately chose to play for the University of Findlay, a Division II program in Ohio, over four other Division II offers. The decision set the stage for one of the most productive collegiate careers by an offensive lineman in program history.
Path to Professional Football
Jerrell signed with the Findlay Oilers and joined a program known for developing linemen. He saw action in eight games as a true freshman in 2018, but then appeared in no games over the next two years, a stretch that included the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The interruption did not derail his development, and he returned ready to compete for a starting role.
He started all six games during the spring 2021 season and helped the team post the top scoring offense in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference while earning first-team All-GMAC honors. He was then chosen third-team All-GMAC in the fall 2021 season after starting all 12 games, showing the durability that would become a hallmark of his career.
Jerrell continued to build his resume with first-team All-GMAC and second-team All-American recognition from D2Football.com in 2022. In his senior season in 2023, he added first-team All-GMAC, first-team All-Super Region 1, and GMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year honors. He finished his college career with 48 games played and 40 consecutive starts, the second-longest streak for an offensive lineman in Findlay history. He also completed both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Business Administration at Findlay.
Michael Jerrell Career
Early Career (2018–2023)
Jerrell’s early career unfolded entirely at the University of Findlay, where he progressed from a reserve role as a freshman to a multi-year starter. The 2020 pandemic cancellation cost him a full season, but he responded with consecutive All-GMAC selections in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
He was a three-time first-team All-GMAC selection in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and was named the GMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2023. Although he received offers to transfer to larger programs during his time at Findlay, he opted to remain with the Oilers and complete both his undergraduate and graduate studies.
Seattle Seahawks (2024)
Jerrell competed at the Hula Bowl all-star game and impressed scouts with his performance at his pro day, which helped his draft stock. He was selected in the sixth round, 207th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He became the fourth player in Findlay history to be drafted and was the only Division II player chosen in that year’s draft.
On October 20, 2024, Jerrell started his first NFL game at right tackle against the Atlanta Falcons. That start signaled his arrival in the league after a long path from a lightly recruited Indianapolis high school prospect to a professional starter.
Atlanta Falcons (2025–Present)
On August 27, 2025, Jerrell was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a conditional 2027 seventh-round draft pick. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to compete for a starting role in a different offensive system. He joined a Falcons offensive line in the middle of a transitional period, and his experience at both tackle spots has positioned him as a versatile depth piece.
Jerrell’s familiarity with the team he faced in his first NFL start added a measure of symmetry to the trade. With Atlanta, he continues to work on refining his technique against the pass rushers he will see most often in the NFC South.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jerrell is known for his length, footwork, and consistency in pass protection. Coaches have pointed to his durability, demonstrated by 40 consecutive starts at the collegiate level, and his positional versatility between right and left tackle. His background in a run-heavy Division II offense also gave him a strong foundation in the run game.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first NFL start against the Atlanta Falcons in October 2024 stands as an early career milestone. He also became the only Division II player drafted in 2024 and the fourth Findlay Oiler ever selected in an NFL draft, joining a small but notable list of program alumni to reach the league.
Michael Jerrell Career Highlights
Michael Jerrell’s career highlights reflect steady progression rather than a sudden breakthrough. His honors at Findlay include three first-team All-GMAC selections, the 2023 GMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year award, and a second-team All-American nod from D2Football.com. He added first-team All-Super Region 1 and honorable mention All-American recognition in 2023.
College and Professional Highlights
At Findlay, Jerrell started 40 consecutive games and appeared in 48 total contests, finishing as one of the most experienced linemen in program history. In the NFL, his first career start came with Seattle on October 20, 2024, and his move to Atlanta in August 2025 marked the start of his next chapter. He was also a participant in the Hula Bowl, an annual college all-star game used as a showcase for NFL draft prospects.
Michael Jerrell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed public information about Michael Jerrell’s parents and extended family is limited. He grew up in west Indianapolis, Indiana, and developed his love for sports through local programs, beginning with basketball before turning to football in sixth grade.
Personal Life
Jerrell has not publicly shared extensive details about his personal life, including marital status or children. His social media presence focuses primarily on his football career and training. He earned both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Findlay, reflecting a commitment to education alongside athletics.
2025 Season Performance
Jerrell joined the Atlanta Falcons via trade on August 27, 2025, just before the start of the regular season. The move gave him a new offensive system to learn and a fresh opportunity to compete for snaps at offensive tackle. His transition has been supported by coaches who value his experience and positional flexibility.
Coming off a 2024 season in which he made his first NFL start with Seattle, Jerrell entered 2025 with a clear understanding of the speed and complexity of the professional game. His work in practice has been aimed at earning a consistent role on a Falcons offensive line that is competing in a wide-open NFC South.
Heading into the heart of the 2025 schedule, Jerrell’s outlook depends on his ability to adapt quickly and stay healthy. If he secures a steady role, his combination of size, length, and proven durability from his 40 consecutive starts at Findlay could make him a long-term building block for the Falcons.