Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Bio
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (born February 4, 1997) is an American professional football offensive tackle. After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, he has spent time with multiple NFL organizations, working to establish himself at the professional level. He is the son of Tyrone Wheatley, a former NFL player and college head coach.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 145 kilograms, Wheatley Jr. brings the size and frame typically associated with the offensive tackle position. He has played in the National Football League, the United States Football League, and The Spring League, showcasing his versatility by transitioning from tight end to the offensive line.
Early Life and Background
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. was born on February 4, 1997, in Buffalo, New York. He grew up in a household deeply rooted in professional football, as his father, Tyrone Wheatley Sr., enjoyed a long NFL career as a running back and was selected in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Following his playing days, Wheatley Sr. transitioned into coaching, working as an assistant in the NFL before becoming a head coach at the collegiate level.
Wheatley Jr. attended Canisius High School in Buffalo, New York, where he played both tight end and defensive end. His performance on the field earned him recognition as The Buffalo News’ player of the year, highlighting his standing as one of the top high school prospects in the region. His combination of size, athleticism, and football pedigree made him a sought-after recruit.
As a recruit, Wheatley Jr. was listed as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, which ranked him as the 13th best tight end prospect in the nation and the top-ranked player at his position in New York state. ESPN named him the No. 12 overall prospect in the nation, while Scout.com ranked him as the 25th-best defensive end prospect in the country and the top overall prospect in New York state. He held offers from several prominent programs, including Alabama, Florida, UCLA, and USC, before committing to Michigan, his father’s alma mater, on February 4, 2015.
Path to American Football
Wheatley Jr.’s path to professional football began at the University of Michigan, where he joined the Wolverines as a highly regarded tight end recruit. His transition to the college level was delayed, however, as he missed his entire true freshman season with a foot injury. Despite the setback, he worked his way back into the rotation, appearing in 12 games during his first active season and scoring his first collegiate touchdown against Illinois on October 22, 2016, finishing the year with three receptions for 35 yards.
As a sophomore, Wheatley Jr. continued to develop, making his first collegiate start against Florida on September 2, 2017, and recording three starts overall with three receptions for 26 yards. His progress was halted in March 2018 when he fractured his metatarsal, ruling him out of spring practice. On August 2, 2018, just one day before Michigan’s training camp began, Wheatley Jr. announced that he would be leaving the program.
Seeking a fresh start, Wheatley Jr. transferred to Stony Brook University, where the FCS program offered him immediate eligibility. He made his first start at tight end for the Seawolves on September 22, 2018, against Richmond, and went on to start eight games that season, recording six receptions for 36 yards. After the season, he transferred once more, this time to Morgan State, where his father was in his first year as head coach, though an injury prevented him from appearing in any games.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Career
Early Career (2021)
Following his college career, Tyrone Wheatley Jr. went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft and spent time sharpening his skills in alternative football leagues. In 2021, he played for the Blues in The Spring League, a developmental competition that allowed him to convert from tight end to offensive tackle. The position change proved to be a defining moment in his career, giving him a new path to the professional level.
His performance in The Spring League helped him earn an opportunity in the NFL. On June 17, 2021, Wheatley Jr. signed with the Chicago Bears, beginning his professional career. Although he was waived during final roster cuts, he re-signed to the team’s practice squad, demonstrating the Bears’ continued interest in his development. On January 11, 2022, he signed a reserve/future contract with Chicago, securing his place with the organization going into the next season. He was later waived on May 6, 2022.
Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns Era (2022-2023)
Wheatley Jr. signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on May 15, 2022, continuing his journeyman start to his professional career. His time with the Raiders was brief, however, as he was waived on August 16, 2022, during the roster trimming process before the regular season. The release was part of the standard business of NFL roster management and did not reflect poorly on his development.
Just over a month later, on September 20, 2022, Wheatley Jr. signed with the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns, giving him another opportunity to continue refining his craft as an offensive tackle. He remained with the Browns through the end of the 2022 season and signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023, signaling the team’s confidence in his potential heading into the next year.
New England Patriots Era (2023-2024)
On August 27, 2023, Tyrone Wheatley Jr. was traded to the New England Patriots in exchange for Pierre Strong Jr., marking one of the most notable transactions of his career. He made the active roster and played in the first two games of the 2023 season, contributing on special teams. His promising start was cut short, however, when he was placed on injured reserve on October 14, 2023, due to a knee injury.
Wheatley Jr.’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve was opened on December 13, 2023, offering hope of a late-season comeback. Unfortunately, he was not activated before the end of the season, closing out his first year in New England on the injured list. On August 2, 2024, the Patriots waived him with an injury designation, bringing his time with the organization to a close.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024-2025)
Wheatley Jr. found his next opportunity on October 21, 2024, when he was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad. He continued to work on his development as an offensive tackle, and on January 6, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with Atlanta, indicating the team’s plans to evaluate him during the offseason. On August 14, Wheatley Jr. was waived by the Falcons with an injury designation, ending his time with the organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant moments in Tyrone Wheatley Jr.’s career came on August 27, 2023, when he was traded to the New England Patriots in exchange for Pierre Strong Jr. The transaction underscored the value NFL organizations placed on his potential as an offensive tackle. His journey through multiple teams, including the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Atlanta Falcons, reflects the perseverance required to sustain a career in professional football.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Career Wins
Tyrone Wheatley Jr.’s professional career has been defined more by perseverance and versatility than by championship victories. As an offensive tackle who entered the league as an undrafted free agent, his milestones have centered on earning roster spots, signing contracts, and adapting to new teams. His contributions have primarily come on special teams and in developmental roles, providing him with a foundation to continue pursuing his NFL aspirations.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time at Canisius High School, Wheatley Jr. earned recognition as The Buffalo News’ player of the year, one of the most prestigious individual honors for a high school football player in Western New York. His ranking as a four-star recruit and a top national prospect at both tight end and defensive end further highlighted his standout performance at the prep level.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. comes from one of the most recognized football families associated with the Buffalo, New York, area. His father, Tyrone Wheatley Sr., played running back at the University of Michigan before being selected in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Wheatley Sr. enjoyed a productive NFL career and later transitioned into coaching, serving in various assistant roles before becoming the head coach at the collegiate level, including at Morgan State and currently at Wayne State.
Personal Life
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, the same city where his father built much of his football legacy. The Wheatley family name remains closely tied to the region’s football community, with multiple generations contributing to the sport at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Wheatley Jr.’s commitment to Michigan, his father’s alma mater, further reinforced the family’s enduring connection to the game.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 NFL season presents an opportunity for Tyrone Wheatley Jr. to re-establish himself following his release from the Atlanta Falcons on August 14. As an undrafted offensive tackle who has spent time with five NFL organizations, he brings a wealth of experience and a unique positional background to any team that may sign him. His size and athleticism, combined with his willingness to contribute on special teams, make him a valuable depth piece for organizations in need of offensive line reinforcement.
Throughout the 2025 offseason, Wheatley Jr. has remained a free agent, and his next opportunity will likely come in the form of a practice squad signing or a reserve/future contract. Given his track record of perseverance and his successful transition from tight end to offensive tackle, he remains a candidate to latch on with a team seeking depth along the offensive line. His experience in multiple offensive systems, including those of the Bears, Raiders, Browns, Patriots, and Falcons, provides him with a versatile skill set that could appeal to coaching staffs.
Looking ahead, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.’s primary goal will be to secure a roster spot and contribute meaningfully to an NFL franchise. While his career statistics remain limited due to injuries and the nature of his positional role, his journey from a highly touted high school recruit to a professional offensive tackle speaks to his dedication to the sport. The 2025 season will be an important chapter in his ongoing effort to build a lasting career in professional football.