Tyrek Funderburk Bio
Tyrek Funderburk is an American professional football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 28, 2000, in Indian Trail, North Carolina, he attended Metrolina Christian Academy before playing college football for the Richmond Spiders and later transferring to Appalachian State for his final college season. Funderburk went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft but signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making the team’s final roster before eventually joining the Minnesota Vikings in 2025.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing approximately 184 pounds, Funderburk has built his professional path through perseverance and steady development. He is recognized for his coverage skills and football intelligence, traits that allowed him to transition from FCS-level competition at Richmond to a Group of Five program at Appalachian State and ultimately onto NFL rosters.
Early Life and Background
Tyrek Funderburk was born on November 28, 2000, in Indian Trail, North Carolina, a growing suburb located just southeast of Charlotte. He grew up in a region known for producing competitive football talent, and he developed an early passion for the sport through local youth and school programs. His upbringing in the Charlotte metropolitan area provided him with regular access to competitive football environments that helped shape his athletic foundation.
Funderburk attended Metrolina Christian Academy in Indian Trail, where he played high school football and developed into a collegiate prospect. At Metrolina Christian, he worked on the fundamentals that would later define his role as a cornerback, including footwork, coverage awareness, and ball skills. His performance at the prep level earned him the opportunity to continue his football career at the next level.
Coming out of high school, Funderburk committed to play college football for the Richmond Spiders, marking the beginning of a long collegiate journey that would span multiple programs. His decision reflected a desire to compete at a strong academic and athletic institution where he could continue to grow as a defensive back.
Path to American Football
Funderburk’s path to professional football began in earnest when he joined the Richmond Spiders, the football team representing the University of Richmond in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). He spent five seasons with the program, steadily developing his technique and physical profile as a cornerback. During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, his play earned him Second-team All-CAA recognition, signaling his emergence as one of the conference’s top defensive backs.
After the 2022 season, Funderburk entered the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity to showcase his abilities at a higher level of college competition. He decided to transfer to Appalachian State, a program competing in the Sun Belt Conference, for the 2023 season. The move allowed him to test himself against a stronger schedule and a higher caliber of opposing receivers.
At Appalachian State, Funderburk made an immediate impact, earning First-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2023. His performance against some of the strongest offenses in the Sun Belt confirmed his NFL potential and helped position him for an opportunity at the next level. Following the 2023 season, he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, capping a college career that included stops at two different programs and multiple all-conference selections.
Tyrek Funderburk Career
Early Career (2024)
Funderburk’s professional career began in 2024 when he went unselected in the NFL Draft. Despite not hearing his name called, he quickly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent, joining a defensive backs room that was looking to add depth and competition at the cornerback position. His ability to contribute on special teams and in sub-package coverage helped him stand out during the Buccaneers’ training camp and preseason.
Funderburk ultimately made the Buccaneers’ final roster, a notable achievement for an undrafted rookie. He spent his first professional season working primarily in a reserve role while continuing to refine his game against top-level competition. His time in Tampa Bay provided valuable experience, exposure to a professional defensive scheme, and an introduction to the weekly demands of an NFL season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2024–2025)
Funderburk’s tenure with the Buccaneers extended into the 2025 offseason as he continued to compete for a spot on the defensive depth chart. On August 26, 2025, however, Funderburk was waived by the Buccaneers with an injury designation as part of final roster cuts. The move was part of the standard league-wide process of trimming rosters to the league-mandated limit before the start of the regular season.
Although his time in Tampa Bay ended on waivers, Funderburk’s prior success in making the team’s final roster as an undrafted free agent remained a defining early-career milestone. His release opened the door to a fresh opportunity elsewhere in the league, and he did not have to wait long for another chance to continue his professional journey.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2025–Present)
On September 11, 2025, Funderburk was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, giving him a pathway to rejoin an NFL active roster. The Vikings, known for developing young defensive backs, offered an opportunity to continue his professional growth within a different defensive system. Joining the practice squad allowed Funderburk to remain in the NFL ecosystem while preparing for a potential promotion to the active roster.
His arrival in Minnesota came at a time when the Vikings were evaluating depth options at cornerback amid a competitive NFC North schedule. Funderburk’s transition to Minnesota marked the second NFL team of his young career and represented another step in his pursuit of a sustained role on an active 53-man roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Funderburk is known for his technical proficiency at the cornerback position, with particular strengths in man-to-man coverage and route recognition. He uses his length, footwork, and anticipation to disrupt timing between quarterbacks and receivers. His experience across multiple defensive schemes at Richmond and Appalachian State has contributed to a versatile skill set that translates well to NFL-level competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Funderburk’s most notable early-career milestones are his First-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2023, his two Second-team All-CAA honors in 2020 and 2021, and his accomplishment of making an NFL final roster as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Each step reflects a steady progression through competitive levels of football and underscores the perseverance that has defined his career path.
Tyrek Funderburk Career Wins
As a defensive player, Tyrek Funderburk’s professional statistical milestones are tracked through coverage snaps, passes defended, and other defensive metrics rather than traditional win totals. His most significant victories so far have come in the form of personal achievements: earning multiple all-conference honors in college, surviving NFL cut days to make an initial roster, and continuing his career with a second NFL organization. These accomplishments form the foundation of his early professional resume.
Collegiate Highlights
During his time at the University of Richmond, Funderburk earned Second-team All-CAA recognition in both 2020 and 2021, establishing himself as a reliable cornerback at the FCS level. After transferring to Appalachian State, he elevated his game further, earning First-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2023. These honors represent the most decorated stretch of his football career to date.
Other Wins & Performances
Funderburk’s most significant off-the-field victory came when he made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ final roster in 2024 as an undrafted free agent. His subsequent signing with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad in September 2025 further demonstrated his resilience and ability to remain active within the league despite early-career roster turnover.
Tyrek Funderburk Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Tyrek Funderburk’s parents and extended family are not publicly documented in available sources. He grew up in Indian Trail, North Carolina, and developed his football foundation in that community before moving on to collegiate and professional opportunities.
Personal Life
Tyrek Funderburk has kept his personal life largely private, with no publicly verified information regarding a spouse, partner, or children. He is known to be active on social media, where fans can follow his ongoing professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
Funderburk’s 2025 season began with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he was attempting to secure his place on the active roster heading into his second professional year. The competition in Tampa Bay’s defensive backs room remained intense throughout the offseason and preseason. On August 26, 2025, Funderburk was waived by the Buccaneers with an injury designation as part of final roster cuts, ending his initial 2025 campaign with the team.
Shortly after his release, Funderburk received a new opportunity when the Minnesota Vikings signed him to their practice squad on September 11, 2025. The move gave him a chance to return to an NFL environment and continue developing within a different defensive system. Practice squad players also have the opportunity to be elevated to the active roster during the season, leaving the door open for further progression.
Looking ahead, Funderburk’s 2025 outlook centers on earning a promotion from the Vikings’ practice squad to the active roster and contributing on special teams or in sub-package defensive situations. His all-conference college pedigree, prior NFL experience, and demonstrated perseverance position him as a developmental prospect to monitor as the season unfolds.