Mitchell Wilcox Bio
Mitchell Wilcox (born November 7, 1996) is an American professional football tight end who has built his career as a reliable pass catcher and contributor on special teams. After a record-setting college tenure with the South Florida Bulls, Wilcox signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and spent four seasons in Cincinnati. He later signed with the New England Patriots in 2024, continuing his role as a dependable depth tight end in the National Football League (NFL).
Early Life and Background
Mitchell Wilcox was born on November 7, 1996, in Largo, Florida. He grew up as the youngest child in his family, raised by his father, Chuck Wilcox, and his mother, Carole Wilcox. His father served in the United States Coast Guard and reached the rank of Commander, a family tradition continued from Wilcox’s grandfather, who also served in the Coast Guard and attained the rank of Captain.
Wilcox attended Tarpon Springs High School, where he distinguished himself as a two-sport athlete in both football and basketball. During his senior basketball season, he helped his varsity team reach its first-ever FHSAA Final Four appearance, averaging 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. On the football field, his performance in high school positioned him for an opportunity at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Wilcox committed to the University of South Florida, where he joined the South Florida Bulls football program. He spent five seasons with the team, redshirting his true freshman year before working his way into a larger role. Over the course of his college career, Wilcox developed into one of the most productive tight ends in program history.
His production in the South Florida offense earned him recognition within the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Wilcox was named Second-team All-AAC in 2016 and later earned First-team All-AAC honors in 2018, validating his growth as both a receiver and blocker. Following the conclusion of his college eligibility, he entered the 2020 NFL Draft and ultimately signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent.
Mitchell Wilcox Career
Early Career (2020)
Wilcox signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on April 27, 2020, as an undrafted free agent. His initial stint with the team was brief, as he was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020. The Bengals quickly added him to their practice squad the following day, allowing him to continue developing within their system.
On January 1, 2021, Wilcox was signed to the Bengals’ active roster. He then made the 53-man roster out of training camp to begin the 2021 regular season, marking the start of his multi-year tenure on Cincinnati’s active roster.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2021–2023)
Wilcox carved out a role as a depth tight end and contributor on special teams during his time with the Bengals. On April 8, 2022, he re-signed with Cincinnati on a one-year contract. During Week 1 of the 2022 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was unexpectedly pressed into service as an emergency long snapper after long snapper Clark Harris suffered a biceps injury and backup Cal Adomitis was inactive. Despite his efforts, the Bengals fell 23–20 in overtime.
His most memorable moment in Cincinnati came during Week 15 of the 2022 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Wilcox scored his first career NFL touchdown on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Joe Burrow in the red zone. On July 24, 2023, Wilcox re-signed with the Bengals, continuing his tenure with the team through the end of the 2023 season.
New England Patriots Era (2024–Present)
On April 22, 2024, Wilcox signed with the New England Patriots, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He was released on August 27, 2024, but re-signed to the Patriots’ practice squad, allowing him to remain within the organization. His transition to New England marked a fresh opportunity to contribute in a different offensive system.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a tight end, Wilcox has demonstrated reliability as both a receiving target and a blocker at the line of scrimmage. His college background at South Florida showcased his ability to contribute in the passing game, where he set program records for tight ends. In the NFL, his willingness to serve in emergency roles, including his stint as a long snapper, has highlighted his football intelligence and team-first mentality.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Wilcox’s career came during the 2022 season, when he caught his first career NFL touchdown from Joe Burrow against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also holds school records at the University of South Florida for tight ends in career receptions (100), receiving yards (1,326), and touchdowns (11), cementing his place in the program’s history.
Mitchell Wilcox Career Wins
While tight ends are not typically evaluated by win totals alone, Wilcox’s career has been defined by consistent contributions rather than championship finishes. His role as a depth player and special teams contributor has made him a steady presence on multiple NFL rosters since 2020.
New England Patriots Highlights
Wilcox joined the New England Patriots in April 2024 and has remained with the organization after a brief release and re-signing to the practice squad. His specific statistical contributions with the Patriots in 2024 are not detailed in available verified sources.
Mitchell Wilcox Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mitchell Wilcox comes from a family with a strong tradition of military service. His father, Chuck Wilcox, served in the United States Coast Guard and reached the rank of Commander, while his grandfather also served in the Coast Guard, attaining the rank of Captain. His mother, Carole Wilcox, along with his father, raised Mitchell as the youngest child in the family.
Personal Life
Wilcox was raised in Largo, Florida, where his family laid the foundation for his athletic development. His high school years at Tarpon Springs High School shaped his competitive drive and prepared him for the next stage of his football career. Publicly available verified information about his marital status or children is not currently available.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Mitchell Wilcox remains part of the New England Patriots organization after being re-signed to the practice squad in August 2024. His path back to the active roster will likely depend on his performance throughout training camp and the preseason. As a veteran tight end with starting experience, he offers the Patriots flexibility at the position and on special teams.
The 2025 campaign represents an opportunity for Wilcox to solidify his role in New England’s offense under head coach Jerod Mayo and his staff. With his track record as a reliable blocker and emergency contributor on special teams, he remains a candidate to contribute in situational packages. His experience working within two professional systems, Cincinnati and New England, gives him a strong foundation to build on.