Tyreek Maddox-Williams Bio
Tyreek Maddox-Williams (born October 28, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and has spent his early National Football League (NFL) career moving between practice squads and short stints on active rosters with several franchises, including the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, and Atlanta Falcons. Maddox-Williams currently plays for the Buffalo Bills.
Listed at 6 feet 0 inches and 228 pounds, Maddox-Williams is known for his versatility, special-teams value, and football intelligence. Though he has yet to become a full-time starter in the league, his steady movement between organizations reflects the journeyman path taken by many undrafted players trying to carve out a long professional career.
Early Life and Background
Tyreek Maddox-Williams was born on October 28, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended Timber Creek Regional High School in New Jersey, where he developed into a strong defensive prospect. Playing linebacker for the Timber Creek Chargers, he quickly became one of the most productive defenders on the roster during his high school years.
As a senior at Timber Creek, Maddox-Williams earned first-team all-division honors after recording 74 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack. Recruiting analysts at Rivals.com rated him as a three-star recruit and the 29th-best player in the state of New Jersey. Originally committed to the Buffalo Bulls, he later flipped his commitment to Rutgers, choosing to remain closer to home for his college career.
Path to American Football
Maddox-Williams entered Rutgers as a true freshman in 2016 and made an immediate impression. He appeared in 11 games, starting six, and was named to ESPN’s Freshman All-Big Ten Conference team after posting 47 tackles. That early recognition suggested the linebacker had the instincts and physicality to compete at a high collegiate level.
His progress was briefly interrupted before the 2017 season, when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that forced him to miss the entire year. He returned healthy in 2018, starting all 12 games and tallying 48 tackles, and went on to serve as a team captain during the 2019 season. His leadership and durability helped establish him as a respected figure in the Rutgers locker room.
Tyreek Maddox-Williams Career
Early Career (2016–2021)
Maddox-Williams spent six seasons at Rutgers, using his extra year of eligibility granted because of the COVID-19 pandemic and his earlier injury. Over his college career, he accumulated more than 200 tackles and contributed in coverage, run defense, and special teams. His ability to remain on the field in multiple roles made him a dependable presence for the Scarlet Knights defense.
Off the field, Maddox-Williams was a five-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, reflecting his commitment to academics alongside athletics. Following the conclusion of his college career, he received an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, an all-star showcase designed to give prospects additional exposure ahead of the NFL draft.
NFL Breakthrough (2022–Present)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Maddox-Williams signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He was released at the final roster cuts but quickly returned to the organization on the practice squad, where he continued to develop. On January 17, 2023, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers, only to be waived on July 28, 2023.
Shortly after his release, the Philadelphia Eagles signed him on August 19, 2023. In his lone preseason appearance with the Eagles, Maddox-Williams produced one of the most impressive stat lines of his career, recording seven tackles, two pass breakups, a tackle for loss, and a 42-yard interception against the Indianapolis Colts. Despite the strong showing, he was released at final roster cuts. On September 13, 2023, he joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad, was promoted to the active roster on December 20, and finished the season having appeared in three NFL games.
Buffalo Bills Era (2024–Present)
On August 27, 2024, Maddox-Williams was waived by the Arizona Cardinals. He briefly joined the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on October 30, 2024, before being released on December 3. Looking for a fresh opportunity, he signed with the Buffalo Bills practice squad on January 8, 2025, giving him a new organization to impress during the offseason program.
Maddox-Williams continues to work toward earning a full-time role in Buffalo, with his special-teams background and linebacker versatility providing potential pathways to a roster spot. His persistence in moving between teams reflects the determination that has defined his professional journey since leaving Rutgers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although not a driver, Maddox-Williams brings several clear strengths to the defensive side of the ball. He shows strong instincts in run support, reliable open-field tackling, and the kind of coverage skills that allow him to match up against backs and tight ends. His intelligence and coachability, demonstrated through his five-time Academic All-Big Ten honors, also help him absorb complex defensive schemes quickly.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Maddox-Williams’ professional career came during his preseason appearance with the Philadelphia Eagles, when he recorded a 42-yard interception return against the Indianapolis Colts. He also reached a personal milestone by appearing in three NFL games with the Arizona Cardinals during the 2023 season, marking his first regular-season action at the professional level.
Tyreek Maddox-Williams Career Statistics
As of the 2024 season, Tyreek Maddox-Williams has appeared in three regular-season NFL games, all during his time on the Arizona Cardinals active roster. His practice-squad experience with the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and Buffalo Bills has allowed him to remain active within the league despite never having been drafted.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Maddox-Williams made his regular-season debut with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 after being promoted from the practice squad on December 20. He appeared in three games to close out that season, contributing on defense and special teams. His first significant professional splash, however, came during the 2023 preseason with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he posted seven tackles, two pass breakups, a tackle for loss, and an interception return for a major gain.
Other Performances
Beyond his NFL work, Maddox-Williams earned recognition as a five-time Academic All-Big Ten selection during his time at Rutgers, underscoring his consistency in the classroom. His invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl also stands as one of the most significant pre-professional honors of his career.
Tyreek Maddox-Williams Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Detailed public information about Tyreek Maddox-Williams’ family background is limited. He was raised in the Philadelphia area before attending Timber Creek Regional High School in New Jersey, a path that shaped his early football development. He has not publicly shared extensive details about his parents or siblings.
Personal Life
Maddox-Williams has kept his personal life largely private, with no publicly confirmed spouse or children. Much of his public profile remains tied to his football career and his continued pursuit of a stable role in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Tyreek Maddox-Williams entered 2025 on the Buffalo Bills practice squad after signing on January 8, 2025. His role with the team during the early portion of the year focuses on continuing his development as a versatile linebacker and a reliable contributor on special teams. With the Bills seeking depth at the position, his work in practice gives him a chance to push for a promotion to the active roster.
Throughout the season, Maddox-Williams’ experience bouncing between practice squads and active rosters positions him as a steady emergency option for Buffalo. His ability to play multiple linebacker spots, combined with his proven preseason production, gives the Bills flexibility when constructing game-day rosters. Each strong showing in practice adds to his case for a longer opportunity.
Looking ahead, Maddox-Williams’ 2025 outlook centers on converting his practice-squad opportunity into sustained game action. Whether through special-teams duty or rotational defensive snaps, he will aim to demonstrate the kind of consistency that turns journeymen into long-term NFL contributors.