Tyreek Maddox-Williams Bio
Tyreek Maddox-Williams (born October 28, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and has spent time with multiple NFL franchises since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Most recently, he joined the Buffalo Bills practice squad in January 2025, continuing his pursuit of a stable role at the professional level.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 228 pounds, Maddox-Williams has built his career on defensive fundamentals, special-teams value, and steady academic performance. He is widely recognized for his durability, leadership, and consistent tackling production during his college years at Rutgers, where he served as a team captain and earned multiple academic honors.
Early Life and Background
Tyreek Maddox-Williams was born on October 28, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Philadelphia before crossing the river to New Jersey, where he attended Timber Creek Regional High School. The move shaped much of his early athletic development, as Timber Creek had an established football program with a strong tradition of producing college-level talent.
At Timber Creek, Maddox-Williams played football and emerged as a defensive leader. As a senior, he was named a first-team all-division selection after totaling 74 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack. Recruiting analysts at Rivals.com regarded him as a three-star recruit and ranked him the 29th-best player in the state of New Jersey.
Initially committed to the Buffalo Bulls, Maddox-Williams later flipped his commitment to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, choosing to remain in his home region. That decision set the stage for a five-season college career in the Big Ten Conference.
Path to American Football
Maddox-Williams entered Rutgers as a true freshman in 2016 and quickly made an impact, appearing in 11 games with six starts. He was recognized by ESPN as a Freshman All-Big Ten Conference selection after recording 47 tackles, signaling his potential as a long-term defensive contributor.
His progress was briefly interrupted by a torn ACL prior to the 2017 season, which forced him to miss the entire year. He returned healthy in 2018 and started all 12 games, finishing with 48 tackles. The following season, he served as a team captain and tallied 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks across 12 games.
After playing nine games in the 2020 season and eight games in 2021, Maddox-Williams completed his Rutgers career with strong academic credentials. He was a five-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and was invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, a recognition reserved for promising senior prospects.
Tyreek Maddox-Williams Career
Early Career (2022)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Tyreek Maddox-Williams signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He competed during the preseason but was released at the final roster cuts. The Chargers quickly re-signed him to their practice squad, keeping him within the organization as he continued adjusting to the professional game.
On January 17, 2023, Maddox-Williams signed a reserve or future contract with the Chargers, securing his place in the team’s long-term plans. However, he was waived on July 28, 2023, ending his initial stint with the franchise.
Philadelphia Eagles Stint (2023)
Maddox-Williams was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on August 19, 2023. In his lone preseason appearance, he delivered one of the standout performances of his young career, recording seven tackles, two pass breakups, a tackle for loss, and an interception that he returned 42 yards against the Indianapolis Colts.
Despite that productive showing, Maddox-Williams was released by the Eagles at the final roster cuts, a common outcome for undrafted players competing against veteran depth. His brief time in Philadelphia nonetheless reinforced his value as a fast, instinctive linebacker capable of contributing on passing downs.
Arizona Cardinals Tenure (2023–2024)
On September 13, 2023, Maddox-Williams was signed by the Arizona Cardinals to their practice squad. He spent the early portion of the season developing with that unit before earning a promotion to the active roster on December 20, 2023. He finished the season having appeared in three games for the Cardinals.
Maddox-Williams began the 2024 campaign with Arizona but was waived on August 27, 2024, as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season. The move again highlighted the volatility of undrafted players in the league, even those who had reached an active roster the previous year.
Atlanta Falcons Practice Squad (2024)
On October 30, 2024, Maddox-Williams was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, providing another opportunity to showcase his skills. He was released by the Falcons on December 3, 2024, closing a short stay in Atlanta.
Buffalo Bills Era (2025–Present)
On January 8, 2025, Maddox-Williams was signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad, joining one of the most stable organizations in the NFL. The Bills, known for their consistency and player development, offered him an environment to compete for a depth role heading into the offseason.
His addition to Buffalo came after several seasons of moving between practice squads and short stints on active rosters. The signing reflected both his perseverance and the Bills’ ongoing search for linebacker depth, particularly on special teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early-career moments for Maddox-Williams came during his lone preseason game with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, when he recorded seven tackles and a 42-yard interception return against the Indianapolis Colts. That performance remains his most complete statistical outing at the professional level. His selection as a five-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and his invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl also stand out as meaningful off-field milestones.
Tyreek Maddox-Williams Career Wins
As a linebacker whose professional career has been shaped primarily by practice-squad contributions and limited active-roster appearances, Maddox-Williams has not yet accumulated a verifiable count of full-season starts or signature wins at the NFL level. His documented achievements instead revolve around preseason production, special-teams reliability, and academic distinction during his time at Rutgers.
Tyreek Maddox-Williams Family
Personal Life
Tyreek Maddox-Williams was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before completing his high school years in New Jersey. Public details about his immediate family remain limited, and he has kept much of his personal life away from media coverage. His professional journey, from Timber Creek Regional High School through Rutgers and into multiple NFL franchises, reflects the steady family and community support that helped sustain him through injuries and roster changes.
2025 Season Performance
Tyreek Maddox-Williams entered the 2025 offseason as a member of the Buffalo Bills practice squad following his January 8, 2025 signing. The Bills, fresh off another deep playoff run, offered a familiar setting in which to compete for a depth role at linebacker, particularly on special teams where his tackling instincts and acceleration could translate effectively.
His path to an active-roster spot in 2025 depends on standout play during organized team activities, minicamp, and training camp. Given his history of strong preseason performances, including his Eagles debut in 2023, Maddox-Williams will likely aim to replicate that level of production to earn a longer look from the Bills’ coaching staff.
Beyond individual goals, Maddox-Williams continues to represent the perseverance required of undrafted free agents in the modern NFL. His career arc, marked by practice-squad promotions, brief active-roster stints, and quick roster turnover, illustrates both the volatility and the opportunity that defines the league’s bottom of the roster. As the 2025 season approaches, his focus remains on converting his next opportunity into sustained employment at the highest level of professional football.