T.Y. McGill Bio
Torrone “T. Y.” McGill Jr. is an American professional football nose tackle born on November 23, 1992, in Jesup, Georgia. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing about 134 kilograms, McGill has built a long NFL career as an interior defensive lineman despite going undrafted in 2015. After completing his college career at NC State, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and has since played for several teams across the league, showcasing his skills at the nose tackle position.
Early Life and Background
McGill grew up in Jesup, Georgia, a small town in the southeastern part of the state. He attended Wayne County High School, where he distinguished himself as a two-sport standout. McGill served as captain of both the football and basketball teams, demonstrating early leadership qualities that would later help him survive a decade of NFL roster moves.
On the football field, McGill was an all-region selection after his junior and senior seasons, earning recognition as one of the top defensive linemen in the area. In 2010, he was selected to play in the Georgia North/South All-Star game, a traditional showcase for the state’s top senior talent. During his senior year, he drew recruiting attention from NC State, which ultimately offered him a college opportunity.
Path to Professional Football
McGill enrolled at NC State, where he began his college career as a starter in his freshman year, an uncommon achievement for a young defensive lineman. Over the course of his career with the Wolfpack, he developed into a reliable interior presence, finishing with 120 total tackles and 10 sacks across his seasons in Raleigh. His production helped establish him as a prospect worth tracking despite lacking the fanfare of higher-rated recruits.
McGill’s senior year included a two-game suspension for undisclosed disciplinary reasons, an interruption that may have contributed to his lower draft profile. He did not receive an invitation to the 2015 NFL Combine, but he participated in NC State’s Pro Day to showcase his skills for professional scouts. McGill entered the 2015 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent, beginning the long journey that has defined his professional career.
T.Y. McGill Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
McGill signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 15, 2015, after attending their mini-camp on a tryout basis. He impressed early in offseason workouts, with head coach Pete Carroll noting that he had been impressive throughout the team’s sessions, and was projected to make the final 53-man roster. McGill was waived by the Seahawks on September 5, 2015, just before the regular season opener.
The Indianapolis Colts claimed McGill off waivers on September 6, 2015, beginning a stretch of rapid team changes that would become a hallmark of his career. He spent time with Indianapolis through the 2016 season before being waived during final cuts on September 2, 2017. Those early stops gave him his first regular-season exposure to NFL game speed and established his reputation as a depth piece capable of stepping into rotation duty along the defensive line.
Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs (2017–2018)
McGill was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns on September 3, 2017, giving him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot. He was waived on December 13, 2017, but quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad, allowing him to remain in the organization through the end of the season. On January 15, 2018, McGill signed a reserve or future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, a common pathway for practice squad players looking to secure a longer-term opportunity.
McGill was waived by the Chiefs on September 1, 2018, sending him back onto the waiver wire. He was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers on September 2, 2018, marking the first of three separate stints with that organization. McGill was waived by the Chargers on October 6, 2018, and claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles on October 8, 2018, though he was waived two days later after failing his physical. The Eagles re-signed him on November 6, 2018, only to waive him again on November 20.
Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles (2018–2020)
After his release from Philadelphia, McGill was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers on November 21, 2018, beginning his second stint with the team. He was waived on August 31, 2019, only to be signed again by the Chargers on October 17, 2019, before being released on November 30, 2019. These repeated transactions reflected the journeyman nature of his career, yet he kept earning opportunities to compete.
On August 26, 2020, McGill signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for a second stint, beginning his most stable stretch in the league. He was waived on September 4, 2020, but re-signed to the practice squad and was elevated to the active roster multiple times during the season, appearing in games against the Washington Football Team, the New York Giants twice, the Browns, and the Seahawks. McGill was signed to the active roster on December 26, 2020, and signed a one-year contract extension on January 4, 2021. He was released by the Eagles on September 13, 2021, ending a productive year-and-a-half run in Philadelphia.
Washington and Minnesota (2021–2022)
McGill signed with the Washington Football Team’s practice squad on September 28, 2021, after his release from Philadelphia. He was released on November 1, 2021, and quickly signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on November 9, 2021. McGill re-signed with the Vikings on March 9, 2022, hoping to lock in a longer role. He was placed on injured reserve on August 29 and released on September 6, 2022, ending his Minnesota tenure.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022–2024)
On October 11, 2022, McGill was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad, joining one of the most stable organizations in the NFL. He was promoted to the active roster on November 26, 2022, earning a chance to contribute on a contending team. McGill re-signed with the 49ers on March 17, 2023, and remained with the organization across multiple offseasons, though he was released and re-signed to the practice squad again on August 29, 2023. He re-signed on February 14, 2024, continuing his pattern of returning to the Bay Area.
McGill was released by the 49ers on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad, before being released again on November 13, 2024. That release ended his time in San Francisco and opened the door to one more opportunity later in the year.
Cleveland Browns Second Stint (2024)
On December 6, 2024, McGill signed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad, returning to a franchise he had first joined in 2017. He was released on December 24, 2024, closing out his most recent reported NFL activity.
Notable Events and Milestones
McGill’s career has been defined by perseverance through repeated transactions. Across his NFL journey, he has appeared on rosters and practice squads for the Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Washington Football Team, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and San Francisco 49ers. He also had brief stints with the New Orleans Saints, signing on December 11, 2019, and being released on December 16, 2019, and with the Washington Redskins, signing on September 10, 2019, and being released on September 24, 2019.
T.Y. McGill Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about McGill’s family background is limited. He is recognized by his full name, Torrone McGill Jr., suggesting a family naming tradition, though specific details about his parents or siblings have not been widely reported.
Personal Life
McGill was born and raised in Jesup, Georgia, and he has maintained ties to that community throughout his professional career. Beyond his football commitments, limited verified public details are available about his marital status or children.
2025 Season Performance
McGill entered the 2025 offseason as a free agent following his release from the Cleveland Browns practice squad on December 24, 2024. Given his extensive history of practice squad elevations and short-term signings, he remained a candidate for teams seeking experienced interior defensive line depth.
Across more than a decade of professional football, McGill has shown an unusual ability to remain active in the NFL despite frequent transactions. His familiarity with multiple defensive schemes, built during stints with organizations like the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers, makes him a versatile depth option for teams in need of nose tackle help.
As of 2025, McGill’s most recent NFL activity was with the Cleveland Browns practice squad late in the 2024 season. Any return to an active roster in 2025 would extend one of the more durable undrafted careers of his generation, though no verified 2025 team affiliation has been confirmed.