Jalen Wydermyer Bio
Jalen Wydermyer (born December 20, 2000) is an American professional football tight end for the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Texas A&M, where he was a three-time All-SEC second-team selection. Standing 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and listed at 257 lb (117 kg), Wydermyer first gained national attention as one of the most productive tight ends in Texas A&M history before embarking on a professional career that has spanned multiple NFL practice squads and the UFL.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Wydermyer grew up in Dickinson, Texas, a Gulf Coast community located near Houston. He attended Dickinson High School, where he developed into a highly regarded pass-catching tight end prospect. As a senior, he caught 42 passes for 875 yards with 10 touchdowns, a stat line that helped establish him as one of the top tight end recruits in the state.
Rated a four-star recruit, Wydermyer drew scholarship offers from several major college football programs. He ultimately committed to play college football at Texas A&M over the University of Miami, choosing to stay in his home state and join the Aggies. His decision set the stage for one of the most decorated tight end careers in program history.
Path to American Football
Wydermyer’s path to college football was accelerated by his senior production at Dickinson High School, where his combination of size, hands, and athleticism made him a featured receiving target. His commitment to Texas A&M gave him an opportunity to compete in the Southeastern Conference, widely regarded as the toughest league in college football.
Once on campus, Wydermyer quickly moved up the depth chart. As a freshman, he had a larger role in Texas A&M’s offense than originally expected after fellow freshman Baylor Cupp suffered a season-ending injury late in training camp. He finished the year with 32 catches for 447 yards and six touchdowns, earned SEC All-Freshman team honors, and was named second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press. He was also named preseason All-SEC and added to the Mackey Award watchlist ahead of his sophomore campaign.
Jalen Wydermyer Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Wydermyer’s early college career at Texas A&M was defined by immediate production. He paired reliable hands with the ability to work the middle of the field and the red zone, giving the Aggies a reliable target for young quarterbacks. By the end of his freshman year, he had already earned All-SEC recognition.
Across his three seasons in College Station, Wydermyer earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2019, 2020, and 2021. During the 2021 season, he recorded 40 receptions for 515 yards and was named a finalist for the John Mackey Award for the second time, though the award ultimately went to Trey McBride. Wydermyer finished his career holding Texas A&M school records among tight ends in career receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches.
Texas A&M Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Wydermyer’s breakthrough came during his freshman year, when injuries ahead of him opened the door to a starting role. He responded with 32 catches, 447 yards, and six touchdowns, immediately establishing himself as a focal point of the Texas A&M offense. His production earned All-SEC recognition and put the league on notice.
As a sophomore in 2020, Wydermyer received second-team All-SEC honors, reinforcing his status as one of the top tight ends in the conference. His route-running, catch radius, and red-zone presence made him a trusted target for the Aggies’ passing game.
In his junior season of 2021, Wydermyer posted 40 receptions for 515 yards and reached the finalist stage of the John Mackey Award for the second consecutive year. After the season, he decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2022 NFL draft, leaving College Station as the program’s all-time leader among tight ends in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches.
Buffalo Bills Era (2022)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, Wydermyer signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He spent the spring and early summer with the organization competing for a roster spot at tight end. He was waived by Buffalo on August 14, 2022, as the team trimmed toward its regular-season roster.
New England Patriots Era (2022)
Wydermyer signed with the New England Patriots on August 18, 2022, shortly after his release from Buffalo. He was waived on August 30, then re-signed to the practice squad the next day. His time in New England ended when he was released from the practice squad on September 20, 2022.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2022–2023)
Wydermyer was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad on October 17, 2022. He spent the remainder of the season with the Colts organization. The Colts waived him on May 4, 2023, closing his initial NFL practice-squad chapter.
Michigan Panthers Era (2025)
On January 13, 2025, Wydermyer signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League, joining the spring league to revive his professional career. On July 4, 2025, he re-signed with the Panthers, signaling the franchise’s long-term interest in him as a key offensive piece. The Michigan tenure provided Wydermyer with consistent playing time at tight end.
Louisville Kings Era (2026–Present)
On January 13, 2026, Wydermyer was selected by the Louisville Kings in the 2026 UFL draft, marking the next step in his professional career. The move placed him with a UFL franchise looking to add a proven pass-catching tight end. He is listed at No. 85 on the Louisville roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Wydermyer’s signature achievements is his place in the Texas A&M record book, where he still holds school records among tight ends for career receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. He was also a two-time finalist for the John Mackey Award and a UFL champion in 2026. His three consecutive second-team All-SEC selections from 2019 through 2021 underscore his consistency at the college level.
Jalen Wydermyer Career Wins
Jalen Wydermyer’s professional resume includes a UFL championship won in 2026 with the Louisville Kings, along with the development years he logged across NFL practice squads in Buffalo, New England, and Indianapolis. His career path reflects steady perseverance, moving from undrafted free agent to a key contributor in the UFL.
UFL Highlights
Wydermyer’s UFL career began with the Michigan Panthers in 2025 and continued with a mid-career milestone when he was selected by the Louisville Kings in the 2026 UFL draft. He is credited as a UFL champion in 2026, a season highlight that represents the first league title of his professional career.
Jalen Wydermyer Family
Personal Life
Public details about Jalen Wydermyer’s personal and family life are limited. He continues to be active on social media and maintains an online presence through his official accounts. Beyond his football career, he is recognized as one of the most accomplished tight ends produced by Texas A&M and the greater Dickinson, Texas, community.
2025 Season Performance
Jalen Wydermyer’s 2025 season was spent with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League after signing with the franchise on January 13, 2025. He re-signed with the Panthers on July 4, 2025, signaling his continued importance to the team’s offensive plans. The UFL season provided Wydermyer with a stable opportunity to play meaningful snaps at tight end.
Wydermyer remained a featured pass-catching option for Michigan, drawing on the route-running and red-zone skills that made him a three-time All-SEC selection at Texas A&M. His production in the spring league helped re-establish his professional profile.
Looking ahead, Wydermyer’s 2025 form positioned him for the next phase of his career, which included being selected by the Louisville Kings in the 2026 UFL draft on January 13, 2026. The move paired his veteran experience with a new franchise, and he closed the 2026 season as a UFL champion.