T.Y. McGill Bio
Torrone “T. Y.” McGill Jr. (born November 23, 1992) is an American professional football defensive tackle who has spent a decade in the National Football League. After going undrafted out of North Carolina State in 2015, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and has since built a long career as a journeyman interior lineman. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed around 295 pounds, McGill has appeared for more than a half-dozen NFL franchises, working primarily at nose tackle and defensive tackle.
Known for his positional versatility and willingness to play special teams, McGill has carved out a professional path through the league’s practice squads and short-term roster moves. His career has stretched from 2015 into the mid-2020s, with stints in Seattle, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, New Orleans, Minnesota, and San Francisco.
Early Life and Background
McGill was born on November 23, 1992, in Jesup, Georgia, a small coastal-plains city in Wayne County in the southeastern part of the state. He grew up locally and attended Wayne County High School, where he quickly stood out as a two-sport athlete. McGill served as captain of both the football and basketball teams, demonstrating the leadership and work ethic that would later help him survive a decade of NFL roster churn.
On the football field, McGill was an all-region selection after both his junior and senior seasons at Wayne County. In 2010, he earned a selection to the Georgia North/South All-Star Game, one of the state’s premier high school showcases. That same year, North Carolina State recruited him during his senior year, and he committed to play college football for the Wolfpack.
Path to American Football
McGill arrived at NC State in 2011 and wasted little time making an impact. He started as a freshman on the defensive line, an early sign of the physical maturity he would carry into the NFL. Over the course of his college career, he appeared in dozens of games for the Wolfpack and developed into a reliable interior presence.
By the time his senior year ended, McGill had accumulated 120 total tackles and 10 sacks at NC State, a strong statistical foundation for a defensive tackle prospect. He did, however, miss two games in his senior season due to a suspension for undisclosed disciplinary reasons, an experience that may have contributed to his going undrafted in 2015. He did not receive an invitation to the 2015 NFL Combine, but he participated in a Pro Day at NC State to showcase his skills to league scouts.
T.Y. McGill Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
McGill signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 15, 2015, after impressing the coaching staff during a tryout at rookie mini-camp. Head coach Pete Carroll praised his performance, calling him “impressive” throughout the team’s offseason workouts. McGill was added to the 90-man roster but was waived on September 5, 2015, as part of the league’s final cuts.
The next day, the Indianapolis Colts claimed McGill off waivers, beginning a long pattern of moving between active rosters and practice squads. He spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons in Indianapolis, contributing on defense and special teams before being waived during final cuts on September 2, 2017.
Cleveland Browns Era (2017–2018)
McGill was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns on September 3, 2017, where he worked primarily as a rotational defensive tackle. He appeared in games that season before being waived on December 13, 2017, and re-signed to the team’s practice squad.
Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers Stints (2018)
On January 15, 2018, McGill signed a reserve/future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, a deal designed to keep him under contract through the offseason. He was waived by Kansas City on September 1, 2018, and claimed off waivers the next day by the Los Angeles Chargers. McGill’s first stint with the Chargers lasted only until October 6, 2018, when he was waived.
Philadelphia Eagles and Late-2018 Movement
McGill was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles on October 8, 2018, but was waived two days later after failing his physical. He returned to the Eagles on November 6, 2018, only to be waived again on November 20. Claimed by the Los Angeles Chargers on November 21, 2018, McGill finished the season back in Los Angeles, illustrating the rapid pace of mid-year roster movement for veteran backups.
Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints (2019)
McGill signed with the Washington Redskins on September 10, 2019, but was released on September 24. He joined the Los Angeles Chargers for a third stint on October 17, 2019, before being released on November 30. On December 11, 2019, he signed with the New Orleans Saints, though that stay lasted only five days before his release on December 16.
Philadelphia Eagles Return and Washington Football Team (2020–2021)
On August 26, 2020, McGill returned to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent the year bouncing between the practice squad and active roster. He was elevated several times during the 2020 season for specific games, then signed to the active roster on December 26, 2020. He agreed to a one-year contract extension on January 4, 2021, before being released on September 13, 2021. He later signed with the Washington Football Team’s practice squad on September 28, 2021.
Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers (2021–2024)
McGill signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad on November 9, 2021, was re-signed in March 2022, and was placed on injured reserve on August 29, 2022, before his release on September 6. He joined the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad on October 11, 2022, and was promoted to the active roster on November 26, 2022. He re-signed with San Francisco in March 2023, and again on February 14, 2024, after a brief August release. McGill was released by the 49ers on November 13, 2024.
Cleveland Browns Return (2024)
On December 6, 2024, McGill returned to the Cleveland Browns, signing with their practice squad. He was released on December 24, 2024, closing out his ninth NFL season.
Driving Style and Strengths
McGill’s game centers on quickness off the snap, leverage at the line of scrimmage, and the ability to occupy multiple blockers in the run game. Listed around 295 pounds, he uses his lower-body strength to anchor against double-teams, freeing linebackers to make tackles. His willingness to contribute on special teams and his positional flexibility have helped him remain an NFL asset for nearly a decade.
Notable Events and Milestones
McGill’s signature achievement has been his longevity, surviving more than ten NFL seasons as an undrafted defensive tackle. Through the 2023 season, he had recorded 45 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in his NFL career. His repeated journeys between practice squads and active rosters stand as a testament to perseverance at one of the league’s most physically demanding positions.
T.Y. McGill Career Wins
McGill has accumulated his career statistics across more than a decade in the NFL, primarily in rotational roles. Through the 2023 season, he had totaled 45 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in regular-season play. Because detailed per-season win totals are not consistently verified, broader summary tables are not included.
Other Wins and Performances
McGill’s 2010 selection to the Georgia North/South All-Star Game and his 120-tackle, 10-sack college career at NC State remain the most clearly verified performance markers outside the NFL. His repeated elevation from practice squad to active roster in 2020 with the Philadelphia Eagles stands out as a notable stretch of sustained contribution.
T.Y. McGill Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified details about McGill’s family background and any extended athletic lineage are limited. His full name, Torrone “T. Y.” McGill Jr., indicates a family tradition in naming, though further details about parents, siblings, or extended relatives are not available in verified sources.
Personal Life
Verified information about McGill’s marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available. He has maintained an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account, where he engages with fans under a personal brand.
2025 Season Performance
As of early 2025, McGill’s most recent NFL appearance came during a brief return to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad in December 2024, where he was released on December 24. He is currently a veteran free agent looking for his next opportunity heading into the new league year.
Given his history of late-season practice-squad signings and quick returns to active duty, McGill remains a plausible depth option for teams seeking interior defensive line help. His experience in multiple defensive schemes across the AFC and NFC could make him a target for clubs dealing with injuries along the defensive line.
The 2025 outlook for McGill will depend largely on his health, the willingness of a team to add a veteran rotational tackle, and the timing of training-camp decisions leaguewide. With more than a decade of NFL experience, he continues to pursue another opportunity to extend his professional career.