Jedrick Wills Jr. Bio
Jedrick Wills Jr. (born May 17, 1999) is an American professional football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, where he spent his first five professional seasons. Wills currently plays for the Chicago Bears after signing a one-year contract in March 2026.
Standing 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and listed around 307 lb (139 kg), Wills has built his reputation on a combination of size, foot quickness, and positional versatility along the offensive line. Across his NFL career through the 2025 season, he has appeared in 58 games with 57 starts, a workload that reflects his standing as a frontline tackle.
Early Life and Background
Jedrick Wills Jr. was born on May 17, 1999, in Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in the same community where he would later be named the top college prospect in the state. He attended Lafayette High School in Lexington, where he developed into one of the most heavily recruited offensive linemen in the country. At Lafayette, Wills was named first-team All-State by the Associated Press in both his junior and senior seasons, a rare level of recognition that highlighted his long-term projection at the position.
His senior year also brought an invitation to the Under Armour All-America Game, one of the premier high school showcase events in the country, where he competed alongside many of the top players in the 2017 recruiting class. Rated the top college prospect in the state of Kentucky, Wills ultimately chose to continue his football career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, turning down scholarship offers from Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, and Notre Dame.
Path to American Football
Wills arrived at the University of Alabama in 2017, joining a Crimson Tide program that has long been a destination for elite offensive line prospects. As a true freshman, he appeared in 11 games and earned one start, a moment that came when Alabama opened its game against Ole Miss with a six-lineman formation. That early exposure gave Wills meaningful in-game experience on one of the biggest stages in college football.
Heading into his sophomore season, Wills was named the starter at right tackle, a role he would hold for the remainder of his college career. He started all 15 of the Crimson Tide’s games that year and was recognized as the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in a Week 7 game against Missouri. The 2017 Alabama squad that Wills joined went on to capture the College Football Playoff National Championship, an early milestone in his development as a championship-level lineman.
Jedrick Wills Jr. Career
Early Career (2017–2019, College)
Across three seasons at Alabama, Wills developed from a promising freshman into a consensus All-American. He started every game during his sophomore and junior years and was recognized as one of the most reliable linemen in the SEC.
Entering his junior season, Wills was named a first-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports and a second-team preseason All-American by the Associated Press, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today. He was later named a first-team midseason All-American by the Associated Press, and he finished the year as a first-team All-SEC selection and a consensus second-team All-American. Over 771 total blocking snaps, he missed only seven assignments, an exceptional rate for the position. In January 2020, Wills announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.
Cleveland Browns Era (2020–2024)
Wills was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round with the 10th overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft. He made his debut in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens before leaving the game due to a minor shin injury. In Week 10 of that rookie season, he won the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award after helping the Browns offense gain 231 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans, becoming the first offensive lineman to win the award since 2013. He closed his rookie year with a selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
On May 2, 2023, the Browns picked up the fifth-year option on Wills’ contract. That same season, he suffered a knee injury in Week 9 and was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2023. The 2024 campaign brought continued injury challenges, with Wills appearing in only five games for the Browns.
Chicago Bears Era (2026–Present)
Wills became a free agent following the 2024 season and did not sign with a team in 2025. He later explained that his time away from football was devoted to a full rehabilitation aimed at correcting a knee alignment issue. On March 12, 2026, Wills signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears, returning to an NFL locker room in pursuit of a long-term starting role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wills’ game is built on rare foot quickness for a player his size, along with the strength to anchor against power rushers on the edge. He has shown comfort working on both sides of the offensive line and brings run-blocking physicality that complements a downhill rushing attack. Coaches have praised his technique and competitive toughness as defining traits at the tackle position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wills’ standout moments include his 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship with Alabama, his 10th overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft, and his Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honor in 2020, which made him the first offensive lineman to receive the award since 2013.
Jedrick Wills Jr. Career Wins
Jedrick Wills Jr.’s career accomplishments include team championships and individual awards at the highest levels of college and professional football. He is a College Football Playoff National Champion, a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection, a Second-team All-American, and a First-team All-SEC honoree.
College Highlights
Wills was a member of Alabama’s 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship team and was later named First-team All-SEC and a Second-team All-American in 2019. He was also a First-team All-State selection at Lafayette High School in both his junior and senior seasons.
Professional Highlights
Wills was a first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns and earned a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2020. He won Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week in Week 10 of the 2020 season and had his fifth-year option exercised in 2023.
Jedrick Wills Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wills grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, and is the son of Jedrick Wills Sr. Publicly verified details about his immediate family are limited, and no specific parent or sibling information has been confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Wills has kept his personal life largely private, and no public details about a spouse or children have been confirmed. His public profile remains focused on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a year away from the field for Jedrick Wills Jr. After his Cleveland Browns contract ended following the 2024 campaign, he became a free agent and did not sign with an NFL team in 2025. Wills later stated that his time away from football was dedicated to a full rehabilitation, specifically to allow an alignment issue with his knee ligaments to heal properly. The extended recovery was framed by Wills as a long-term investment in his health and career durability.
During his time off, Wills remained connected to the league as he prepared for a return. The 2025 calendar year gave him the opportunity to rebuild his body, refine his technique on the practice field, and position himself for a fresh opportunity. He was widely regarded as a healthy and motivated free agent entering the 2026 signing period.
On March 12, 2026, Wills signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears, ending his year in limbo and opening a new chapter in his professional career. The 2025 period ultimately served as a bridge between his Browns tenure and his new opportunity in Chicago.
