Michael Jerrell Bio
Michael Jerrell is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 18, 1999, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Jerrell played college football for the Findlay Oilers at the NCAA Division II level before being selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 309 pounds, he plays wearing number 72 and is recognized for a steady, physical presence along the offensive line.
Jerrell earned a reputation as one of the top offensive linemen in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference during his time at Findlay, where he collected multiple All-GMAC honors and the GMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year award. After spending his rookie season in Seattle, he joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2025 and continues to develop at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Michael Jerrell was born on August 18, 1999, and grew up on the west side of Indianapolis, Indiana. He first played basketball as a youth before trying out football in sixth grade, an introduction that sparked a long-term commitment to the sport. His early athletic years were shaped by the city of Indianapolis, where football is deeply embedded in community life.
Jerrell attended Pike High School in Indianapolis, where he was a reserve tight end before switching to offensive tackle as a senior. During that senior season, he earned All-Indiana and All-Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference honors, a notable late-career recognition for a player who had limited experience at the position. Despite those honors, he received no offers from NCAA Division I programs, which shaped the next stage of his development.
Facing limited recruiting interest at the top tier of college football, Jerrell ultimately chose to play for the University of Findlay, a Division II program. He selected the Findlay Oilers over four other Division II scholarship offers, beginning a path that would later lead him to the NFL.
Path to American Football
Jerrell’s path to professional football began in earnest at the University of Findlay, where he joined the Oilers program in 2018. He saw action in eight games as a true freshman, then appeared in no games over the next two seasons, a stretch that included the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The interruption tested his patience but also allowed him to develop physically behind the scenes.
He returned to the field during the spring 2021 season and started all six games, helping the Findlay Oilers post the top scoring offense in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. His performance that spring earned him first-team All-GMAC recognition, confirming his transition into a reliable conference-level starter.
During the fall 2021 season, he started all 12 games and was named third-team All-GMAC. By his junior and senior years, Jerrell had become one of the most consistent offensive linemen in the conference, earning multiple All-GMAC selections and postseason honors that positioned him for a look from NFL scouts.
Michael Jerrell Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Jerrell’s collegiate career opened at Findlay in 2018, where he appeared in eight games as a true freshman and gained his first experience of the college game. The following two seasons were difficult in terms of on-field opportunity, with no game appearances across 2019 and the canceled 2020 campaign. Those years, however, served as a developmental period that helped him grow into a Division II starter.
His perseverance during that stretch was rewarded in the spring 2021 season, when he returned to the lineup and immediately produced at a high level. The experience reinforced the work ethic that defined his early years at Findlay and laid the foundation for his later conference honors.
Findlay Oilers Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Jerrell’s breakthrough at Findlay began with the spring 2021 season, when he started all six games and helped the Oilers lead the GMAC in scoring. He was named first-team All-GMAC for that performance, signaling his emergence as one of the conference’s premier offensive linemen.
He followed that with a fall 2021 season in which he started all 12 games and earned third-team All-GMAC recognition. In 2022, he started all 11 games and was selected first-team All-GMAC as well as second-team All-American by D2Football.com, confirming his status as a national-level performer at the Division II level.
Jerrell returned for a final season in 2023 and was chosen first-team All-GMAC, first-team All-Super Region 1, honorable mention All-American, and GMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year. He finished his college career with 48 games played and 40 consecutive starts, the second-most consecutive starts by an offensive lineman in program history. He also completed both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Business Administration at Findlay.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024)
Jerrell entered the professional ranks after competing at the Hula Bowl and impressing scouts at his pro day. He was selected in the sixth round, 207th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks, becoming the fourth player in Findlay history to be drafted and the only Division II player chosen that year.
He spent his rookie season with Seattle, working to adjust to the speed and complexity of the professional game. On October 20, 2024, Jerrell started his first NFL game at right tackle against the Atlanta Falcons, a milestone that confirmed his readiness to contribute at the league’s highest level.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025–Present)
On August 27, 2025, Jerrell was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to compete for a starting role within a new offensive system and coaching staff.
Through the early portion of his Falcons tenure, Jerrell has continued to develop his technique and conditioning at the NFL level. As of the 2025 season, he has appeared in 11 career games with 3 starts, building toward an expanded role along the offensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jerrell is recognized for his combination of size, footwork, and positional intelligence at offensive tackle. His development in a Division II program and four straight years of conference honors reflect a steady, fundamentals-driven approach rather than a flashy style, with emphasis on finishing blocks and protecting the edge in both pass and run situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career milestones, Jerrell’s 40 consecutive starts at Findlay rank second-most for offensive linemen in school history, and his 2024 selection as the only Division II player drafted underscored his professional upside. His first NFL start against the Atlanta Falcons on October 20, 2024, marked a defining moment that later connected with his eventual trade to that same franchise.
Michael Jerrell Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Michael Jerrell’s professional statistical résumé is measured in games and starts rather than traditional win totals. Across his time at Findlay and into the NFL, he has earned conference, regional, and national recognition for his blocking and consistency.
Findlay Oilers Highlights
During his time with the Findlay Oilers, Jerrell was a three-time first-team All-GMAC selection in 2020-21, 2022, and 2023, along with a third-team All-GMAC nod in 2021. His 2023 campaign stood out as his most decorated, when he added GMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year and first-team All-Super Region 1 recognition. He closed his college career with 48 games played and 40 consecutive starts, the second-longest streak by an offensive lineman in program history.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his conference honors, Jerrell earned second-team All-American honors from D2Football.com in 2022 and honorable mention All-American recognition in 2023, reflecting sustained national-level play at the Division II level. His postseason invitation to the Hula Bowl further highlighted his standing among the top small-school linemen in his draft class.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (career) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Michael Jerrell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jerrell grew up on the west side of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was raised in a community with deep ties to high school football. Detailed information about his parents and immediate family members has not been publicly verified.
Personal Life
Michael Jerrell focuses much of his public profile on his football career and his academic accomplishments, having earned both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Findlay. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates through his verified Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
Jerrell’s 2025 storyline began with his trade from the Seattle Seahawks to the Atlanta Falcons on August 27, 2025, in exchange for a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick. The move presented an opportunity to compete for a larger role within a new offensive scheme and to pair his development with a different coaching staff.
Through his first appearances with the Falcons, Jerrell has continued to add to his professional résumé, bringing his career totals to 11 games played and 3 games started as of the 2025 season. His production has reflected the steady progression that defined his college career, with an emphasis on technique refinement and game-by-game improvement.
Looking ahead, Jerrell’s outlook in Atlanta centers on earning additional starting opportunities along the offensive line and translating his consistent college production into a stable professional role. With his size, experience, and academic preparation, he remains a developmental piece to watch as the Falcons continue to shape their offensive front.