Ross Dwelley Bio
Ross Dwelley (born January 26, 1995) is an American professional football tight end who has spent time across multiple National Football League organizations. Standing 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and listed at 235 lb (107 kg), he entered the league in 2018 as an undrafted free agent and built his career primarily as a blocking and receiving tight end. He played college football for the San Diego Toreros before signing with the San Francisco 49ers.
Over the course of his professional career, Dwelley has been a contributor on offense and special teams, catching passes and serving as a fullback in certain packages. As of 2024, his career totals included 45 receptions for 523 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.
Early Life and Background
Ross Dwelley was born on January 26, 1995, in Sonora, California. He grew up in El Dorado Hills, California, where he attended Oak Ridge High School. At Oak Ridge, he was a multi-sport athlete who played both baseball and football, developing the athletic foundation that would later support his professional career.
During his first two high school seasons, Dwelley played quarterback, a position that helped shape his understanding of offensive schemes. He initially stepped away from football during his junior year to focus on baseball, but Oak Ridge’s football coach convinced him to return for his senior season. The decision to come back to the gridiron proved pivotal for his development.
After moving to tight end for his senior year, Dwelley posted 43 catches for 568 receiving yards and five touchdowns, earning the team’s offensive MVP award. His performance at the position set the stage for a college career at the University of San Diego.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school as a converted tight end, Dwelley joined the University of San Diego program, redshirting his freshman year to develop physically and adjust to the college game. He then worked his way into a starting role with the San Diego Toreros, appearing in 47 games with 44 starts over four active seasons.
Across his time at San Diego, Dwelley totaled 197 receptions for 2,305 yards and 26 touchdowns, emerging as one of the most productive tight ends in program history. He earned recognition throughout his college tenure, including Second-team All-Pioneer Football League (PFL) honors in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Dwelley graduated from USD with a degree in industrial and systems engineering.
His senior campaign in 2017 was particularly strong, as he posted 50 receptions for 663 yards despite missing two games and led all Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) tight ends with 10 touchdown catches. That performance earned him First-team All-PFL recognition and Third-team FCS All-American honors, helping him position himself for an NFL opportunity.
Ross Dwelley Career
Early Career (2018)
Ross Dwelley signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018, beginning his professional football journey. He was released at the end of training camp and quickly brought back on the practice squad, where he continued to refine his technique and learn the 49ers’ offensive system.
Dwelley was promoted to the 49ers’ active roster on October 15, 2018, and made his NFL debut that night on Monday Night Football in a 30–33 road loss to the Green Bay Packers. Three weeks later, he recorded his first NFL reception, an eight-yard catch in a 34–3 victory over the Oakland Raiders. He finished his rookie year with two catches for 14 yards across 11 games without a start.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2019–2022)
Dwelley made his first NFL start in Week 6 of the 2019 season, a 20–7 road victory over the Los Angeles Rams, lining up as a fullback after an injury to starter Kyle Juszczyk. Later that season, in a Week 11 36–26 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, he scored his first two NFL touchdowns on short receptions from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He closed 2019 with 15 receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and six starts, and the 49ers advanced to Super Bowl LIV, where they fell 31–20 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In 2020, Dwelley signed a one-year, $660,000 contract extension on March 24 and went on to record 19 receptions for 245 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and nine starts. He signed another one-year extension on March 5, 2021, finishing that season with four receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown in 17 games and two starts. The 2022 campaign featured a career-long 56-yard reception in a Week 8 road win over the Rams, and he finished the year with three receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown in 12 games.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024)
On May 13, 2024, Ross Dwelley signed with the Atlanta Falcons, beginning a new chapter outside the organization where he had spent his first six professional seasons. The move offered him an opportunity to compete for a role in a different offensive scheme and to contribute as a veteran presence in the tight end room.
Dwelley’s time with Atlanta was brief, as he later returned to the 49ers on a one-year contract on May 2, 2025, before being released on August 15, 2025. He then signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on September 16, 2025, and was elevated to the active roster on September 24, where he appeared in 11 games with one start and recorded two receptions for seven yards before being released on December 9, 2025. Shortly after, on December 30, 2025, he was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although tight ends are not drivers in the motorsport sense, Dwelley has built his professional reputation on physicality, dependability, and versatility. Listed at 6 ft 5 in and 235 lb, he has the size to function effectively as an in-line blocker while also offering a reliable target in the short and intermediate passing game. His willingness to line up at fullback and contribute on special teams has been a defining characteristic of his professional profile.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the standout moments of Ross Dwelley’s career are his first two NFL touchdowns in a Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, his appearance in Super Bowl LIV following the 2019 season, and his career-long 56-yard reception against the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. His journey from undrafted free agent to a multi-year NFL veteran stands as the signature story of his professional path.
Ross Dwelley Career Wins
Ross Dwelley’s professional résumé is defined less by win totals and more by longevity, consistency, and the ability to remain on an NFL roster across multiple organizations. As an undrafted free agent, he carved out a multi-year role in one of the league’s most demanding offenses and continued to add to his career statistics into the mid-2020s.
San Francisco 49ers Highlights
During his first stint with the 49ers (2018–2023), Dwelley developed into a trusted tight end and fullback, peaking with a 19-reception season in 2020 and a trip to Super Bowl LIV after the 2019 campaign. His second stint with the team in 2025 was short, as he was released in mid-August, but the franchise remained a familiar home throughout his career.
Other Wins & Performances
Dwelley has made stops with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, the Detroit Lions in 2025, and the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad later in 2025, demonstrating his resilience and continued value as a veteran tight end. His college accolades, including Third-team FCS All-American and First-team All-PFL honors in 2017, provided a strong foundation for his professional trajectory.
Ross Dwelley Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Ross Dwelley’s family background is limited, with verified details focused on his upbringing in Sonora and El Dorado Hills, California. He is not widely documented as part of a multi-generational football lineage, and his path to the NFL is typically described as a personal journey shaped by his high school and college coaches.
Personal Life
Ross Dwelley maintains a private personal life, and details such as a spouse or children are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He completed his education at the University of San Diego, earning a degree in industrial and systems engineering alongside his football commitments.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a turbulent year for Ross Dwelley, marked by multiple team changes across the league. He returned to the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract on May 2, 2025, before being released on August 15 during the lead-up to the regular season.
Dwelley quickly caught on with the Detroit Lions, signing to their practice squad on September 16 and being elevated to the active roster on September 24, 2025. In 11 appearances with one start for Detroit, he recorded two receptions for seven yards before being released on December 9, 2025.
On December 30, 2025, Dwelley was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, giving him an opportunity to close out the year with another NFC South organization. His ability to remain employed across multiple rosters in a single season highlights his reputation as a dependable veteran tight end.
