Will Hernandez Bio
William Hernandez, known professionally as Will Hernandez, is an American football offensive lineman who plays in the National Football League for the Arizona Cardinals. Born on September 2, 1995, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hernandez built his reputation as a tough, reliable guard during a standout college career at UTEP, where he became one of the most durable starters in Miners history. After entering the NFL as a second-round pick by the New York Giants in 2018, he earned All-Rookie recognition and has continued to serve as a starting interior lineman. Hernandez is recognized for his versatility across both guard spots and his blue-collar approach shaped by a deep family work ethic.
Early Life and Background
William Hernandez was born to a Mexican family in Las Vegas, Nevada, and grew up in the surrounding Paradise community. He attended Chaparral High School, where he became a four-year letterman and a three-year starter for the school football team. Hernandez lined up at offensive line, defensive end, and middle linebacker during his prep career, showcasing an unusually aggressive and physical playing style for a young lineman.
Surprisingly, Hernandez stepped away from football after his freshman year of high school to work as a manager for his father’s construction company, briefly leaving the sport behind. His head coach eventually convinced him to return to the team before his junior year, recognizing the exceptional potential that Hernandez had shown before his break. As a senior, he was named an all-Nevada offensive lineman and an all-conference defensive end, finishing the year with 42 tackles, eight sacks, one interception, and five forced fumbles. Outside of football, Hernandez also lettered in track, powerlifting, wrestling, and soccer, highlighting his natural athleticism.
Path to American Football
Despite his strong senior production, Hernandez entered the college recruiting cycle as a zero-star recruit, with most programs showing little interest. He received only walk-on offers from Nevada, UNLV, and Wyoming before UTEP, the lone school to extend a scholarship offer, brought him into its program. That opportunity launched one of the most consistent careers in UTEP football history.
After redshirting in 2013, Hernandez stepped into the Miners’ starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2014 and never surrendered the role. He started every game for the rest of his college tenure, appearing in 49 total contests from 2014 through 2017. Following the 2016 season, he was recognized as a second-team All-American, and after a difficult 2017 campaign in which UTEP finished 0-12, he was still named first-team All-Conference USA. Hernandez also represented UTEP at the College Football All-Star Challenge and participated in the NFL Scouting Combine, setting the stage for his professional future.
Will Hernandez Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
The New York Giants selected William Hernandez in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the second guard taken that year behind Notre Dame star Quenton Nelson. He signed a four-year, 7.45 million dollar rookie contract with the Giants that included 5.08 million dollars in guarantees and a 3.49 million dollar signing bonus. Hernandez immediately earned the starting left guard job and started all 16 games of his rookie season, an accomplishment that helped him land on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.
Hernandez remained a regular contributor for the Giants through the 2019 season, though his role changed in 2020. After testing positive for COVID-19 in late October, he was placed on the reserve list and later returned to the active roster. Despite his recovery, he lost his starting left guard position to rookie Shane Lemieux and served primarily as a backup for the remainder of the year. His time with New York concluded after the 2021 season.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2022–Present)
On March 28, 2022, the Arizona Cardinals signed Will Hernandez to a one-year contract, opening a new chapter in his career. He became a regular contributor along the offensive line, though his season was interrupted in Week 4 when he was ejected for making contact with an official against the Carolina Panthers. He later landed on injured reserve in November with a pectoral injury before being activated in mid-December.
On March 15, 2023, Hernandez agreed to a two-year contract extension worth up to 9 million dollars, including 4.5 million dollars in full guarantees. He locked down the starting right guard job and started every game that season. He returned as a starter in 2024, beginning each of Arizona’s first five games before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. On August 7, 2025, Hernandez re-signed with the Cardinals, returned in Week 5 as the starting left guard, then shifted to right guard for six more starts before a hip and knee injury sent him to injured reserve on November 29.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he plays offensive line rather than a driving position, Hernandez is widely respected for his physical run-blocking style and finishing mentality in the trenches. His strength, anchored by a powerful lower body developed through high school powerlifting, allows him to move defenders at the point of attack, while his football intelligence helps him handle stunts and blitzes in pass protection. Coaches have valued his toughness and his willingness to play through injuries.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hernandez’s most celebrated early milestone came in 2018, when he became only the second guard drafted that year and immediately earned All-Rookie honors after starting all 16 games. His re-signing with Arizona in 2023 reflected the organization’s belief in his leadership, and his return to the starting lineup in 2025 underscored his durability and value to the Cardinals’ offensive line.
Will Hernandez Career Wins
While offensive linemen are not typically credited with traditional wins, William Hernandez has compiled a steady résumé of team successes and personal accolades since entering the NFL. His most notable early honor was a selection to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team in 2018.
NFL Highlights
Hernandez’s standout NFL accomplishments include being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2018 and being recognized as one of the top young interior linemen in the league during his first season. In 2023, he started every game for the Arizona Cardinals while playing on a contract that reaffirmed his role as a foundational piece of the offensive line.
Other Performances
Before the NFL, Hernandez earned second-team All-American recognition after the 2016 season and first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2017, despite playing on a UTEP team that struggled throughout that year.
Will Hernandez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
William Hernandez was raised in a Mexican-American household in Las Vegas, where his father ran a construction company that Will joined during a brief break from football. The values of hard work and perseverance instilled by his family shaped his blue-collar approach to the game.
Personal Life
Hernandez is known for his close ties to his family and his Las Vegas roots. He has spoken often about the influence of his parents and his pride in representing his Mexican-American heritage at the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
Will Hernandez re-signed with the Arizona Cardinals on August 7, 2025, securing his return to the team’s offensive line for another year. He came back into the starting lineup in Week 5 at left guard before shifting to right guard for the following six games, providing stability along a unit that has battled injuries throughout the year. His veteran presence has remained important as Arizona has leaned on its interior blockers.
Unfortunately, his 2025 campaign was interrupted again when he was placed on injured reserve on November 29 with hip and knee injuries. Despite the setback, the Cardinals had already built a significant portion of their offensive identity around Hernandez’s toughness, and his earlier performances helped anchor a stretch of competitive play.
Looking forward, the Cardinals will count on Hernandez’s recovery and continued production once he is healthy, given his contract status and his established role as a starting guard. His leadership in the locker room and experience in multiple systems make him a key figure in the team’s long-term plans along the offensive line.