Will Fries Bio
William Connor Fries, known professionally as Will Fries, is an American professional football guard for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 146 kilograms, he plays a physical, run-blocking style that has earned him a starting role on one of the league’s top offensive lines. Fries played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and entered the NFL after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. Over the following seasons, he developed from a depth piece into a reliable starter and ultimately secured a major free-agent contract in 2025.
Early Life and Background
William Connor Fries was born on April 4, 1998, in Staten Island, New York. He was raised in Cranford, New Jersey, where he attended Cranford High School and developed into a promising offensive line prospect. Growing up in a competitive athletic environment, Fries drew early support from his family and turned his size and work ethic into a clear path toward college football.
At Cranford High School, Fries played prep football and earned attention from college recruiters for his combination of size, footwork, and physicality. His performances on the offensive line helped him secure a scholarship to Penn State, where he would go on to face top-tier Big Ten competition. He also has a younger brother, Matt Fries, who plays college football for Monmouth University, continuing the family’s involvement in the sport.
Path to American Football
Fries committed to Penn State, joining a program with a long tradition of producing NFL-caliber linemen. He spent several seasons developing his technique, strength, and football IQ within the Nittany Lions’ offensive line room. By his upperclassman years, he had become a full-time starter and one of the most consistent blockers on the roster.
During the 2020 season, Fries earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors, recognition that confirmed his readiness for the next level. His combination of size, movement skills, and finishing power in the run game made him an appealing developmental prospect. He declared for the 2021 NFL draft and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round, 248th overall.
Will Fries Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
Fries officially signed with the Indianapolis Colts on May 6, 2021, beginning his professional career as a late-round rookie. In his first season, he worked primarily as a depth player, learning the Colts’ offensive system and adjusting to the speed of the NFL game. His patience during this period laid the groundwork for his later emergence as a starter.
The 2022 season marked Fries’ real breakthrough. After beginning the year as a backup, he was named the starting right guard in Week 10 and held that role for the remainder of the season. The promotion reflected the trust the Colts’ coaching staff had placed in his pass protection and run-blocking ability.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2023-2024)
In 2023, Fries was named the Colts’ Week 1 starting right guard and started every game of the season, cementing himself as a cornerstone of the offensive line. His durability, communication at the line of scrimmage, and consistency in both pass protection and run blocking made him a key piece of the team’s offense. Over the course of the year, he showed the kind of steady improvement that teams look for in young linemen.
Fries returned as the starting right guard for the 2024 season. However, in Week 5 he suffered a fractured right tibia and was placed on injured reserve on October 7, 2024, cutting his campaign short. Despite the injury, his body of work through the first half of the season had already positioned him as one of the more appealing young guards scheduled to reach free agency.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2025-Present)
On March 12, 2025, Fries signed a five-year, $88 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, signaling a major step in his career. The deal was finalized shortly after the Vikings signed his former Colts offensive line teammate Ryan Kelly, reuniting two players who had built chemistry in Indianapolis. The contract reflected both his injury recovery outlook and the league-wide belief in his long-term potential.
The move to Minnesota placed Fries on an offensive line coached to emphasize physical run blocking and disciplined pass protection. Joining a contending roster provided him with a clear opportunity to compete for postseason success. His arrival also added veteran stability to a unit looking to keep its quarterback upright and control the line of scrimmage.
Driving Style and Strengths
Will Fries is known for his size, leverage, and aggressive hands at the point of attack. He excels in run-blocking schemes that demand movement at the second level, using his long frame to seal defenders and create lanes. In pass protection, his footwork and patience allow him to mirror rushers, while his communication with the rest of the offensive line helps set protections effectively. His partnership with established linemen like Ryan Kelly is expected to strengthen his overall game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Fries’ early career are his Second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2020 and his ascent from a seventh-round pick to a multi-year starter with the Colts. His transition to a full-time starting role in 2022 and his complete 2023 season stand out as defining moments. The five-year, $88 million agreement with the Minnesota Vikings in March 2025 marked the most significant milestone of his professional journey so far.
Will Fries Career Wins
Will Fries’ career has been defined more by reliability and durability at the offensive guard position than by traditional win-loss statistics. His individual achievements include All-Big Ten recognition in college and a rapid rise from a late-round pick to a long-term starting contract in the NFL. Although offensive linemen are not typically credited with traditional win totals, his consistent presence in the lineup has been central to his teams’ offensive production.
NFL Highlights
Fries’ top NFL moments include taking over as the Colts’ starting right guard in 2022 and starting every game of the 2023 season. His most recent notable performance was the start of the 2024 season before his Week 5 injury, a stretch that ultimately helped earn him his Vikings contract. Each of these chapters has reinforced his reputation as a dependable, hard-working lineman.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Fries earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020, a clear marker of his standing among the conference’s top linemen. His prep career at Cranford High School also provided the foundation for his future success, showcasing the work ethic and physicality that carried him to the professional level.
Will Fries Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Will Fries was raised in Cranford, New Jersey, in a family that values athletics. His younger brother, Matt Fries, plays college football for Monmouth University, continuing the family’s connection to the sport. This shared background has helped shape Will’s approach to competition and his understanding of team-based success.
Personal Life
Fries is currently in a relationship with women’s basketball player Isabella Therien, the daughter of retired NHL hockey player Chris Therien. The couple’s connection to professional sports on both sides reflects a shared appreciation for athletic life. Fries has been open about his personal life, and he continues to balance his NFL career with his family and relationships.
2025 Season Performance
Will Fries’ 2025 season centers on his integration into the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line following his March 12, 2025, signing. The five-year, $88 million agreement signals the organization’s commitment to him as a long-term building block, and his reunion with former Colts teammate Ryan Kelly is expected to strengthen communication and chemistry along the line. After recovering from the fractured right tibia he suffered in October 2024, Fries arrived in Minnesota looking fully healthy and ready to compete.
On the field, Fries is expected to serve as a starting guard, anchoring a physical run game and providing reliable pass protection. The Vikings’ offensive identity under head coach Kevin O’Connell has placed a premium on line play, and Fries’ size and movement skills fit that vision. His consistency through the early portion of the season will be a key storyline for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Looking ahead, Fries’ outlook for the 2025 campaign is closely tied to the Vikings’ playoff push. Strong performances against top defensive fronts will be central to his case as one of the league’s most impactful guards. If he stays healthy and produces at the level he showed in 2023, Fries is positioned to be a foundational piece of Minnesota’s offense for years to come.