Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Bio
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is an American professional football offensive tackle. Born on February 4, 1997, in Buffalo, New York, he played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and the Stony Brook Seawolves. After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, he began his professional career with the Chicago Bears in 2021 before moving on to several teams across the league.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 320 pounds, Wheatley is the son of Tyrone Wheatley Sr., a former NFL running back and first-round draft pick. Throughout his career, he has worked to establish himself at the offensive tackle position after converting from tight end, a transition that has shaped his journey through the league.
Early Life and Background
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where he developed an early passion for football. He attended Canisius High School, a well-known Catholic school in the Buffalo area with a strong athletic tradition. At Canisius, he played both tight end and defensive end, showcasing his versatility and athleticism on both sides of the ball.
During his high school career, Wheatley earned widespread recognition as one of the top prospects in the country. He was named The Buffalo News’ player of the year and was listed as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, which ranked him as the 13th best tight end prospect in the nation and the top-ranked player in New York state. ESPN named him the No. 12 overall prospect in the country, while Scout.com ranked him as the 25th-best defensive end prospect nationally and the top overall prospect in New York state.
Wheatley received scholarship offers from several major college football programs, including Alabama, Florida, UCLA, and USC. He ultimately chose to commit to Michigan, his father’s alma mater, on February 4, 2015. The decision reflected the strong connection between Wheatley and his father’s football legacy.
Path to American Football
Wheatley’s path to professional football began at the University of Michigan, where he joined the Wolverines as a highly touted recruit. He started his career as a tight end but faced an early setback when he missed his entire true freshman season due to a foot injury. He made his way back onto the field during his sophomore year, scoring his first collegiate touchdown against Illinois on October 22, 2016.
After playing in 12 games and recording three receptions for 35 yards as a freshman, Wheatley made his first collegiate start against Florida on September 2, 2017. He made three starts during the season, catching three passes for 26 yards. His time at Michigan was cut short in March 2018 when he fractured his metatarsal, ruling him out of spring practice.
On August 2, 2018, a day before Michigan started training camp, Wheatley announced that he would be leaving the program. Three days later, Stony Brook announced that he had transferred to the Seawolves. Moving from the FBS level to the FCS level, he was eligible to play immediately and made his first start at tight end for Stony Brook on September 22 against Richmond. He started in eight games during the season, recording six receptions for 36 yards. After that season, Wheatley transferred to Morgan State, where his father was in his first year as head coach, though he did not play in any games due to injury.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Career
Early Career (2021)
Following his college career, Wheatley transitioned to the offensive tackle position while playing for the Blues in the 2021 Spring League season. This move was a key turning point in his career, as it allowed him to showcase his size and athleticism at a new position. The Spring League experience helped him refine his skills as a tackle and prepare for an opportunity in the NFL.
He signed with the Chicago Bears on June 17, 2021, marking his first official NFL contract. Although he was waived during final roster cuts, Wheatley was re-signed to the team’s practice squad, giving him a chance to continue developing within the Bears organization. On January 11, 2022, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears, but was waived on May 6, 2022.
Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns Era (2022–2023)
On May 15, 2022, Wheatley signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, continuing his journeyman path through the league. However, his time with the Raiders was brief, as he was waived on August 16, 2022, during final roster cuts. Despite the short stint, the experience provided him with additional exposure to an NFL environment.
Shortly after his release from the Raiders, Wheatley signed with the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns on September 20, 2022. He continued to work on his development with the Browns, eventually signing a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023. His perseverance through multiple practice squad moves demonstrated his commitment to remaining in the league.
New England Patriots Era (2023)
On August 27, 2023, Wheatley was traded to the New England Patriots in exchange for Pierre Strong Jr. The trade gave him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in New England, and he played in the first two games of the season on special teams. Those appearances marked his first regular-season NFL game action.
His time with the Patriots was disrupted on October 14, 2023, when he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. His 21-day window to return from IR was opened on December 13, but he was not activated before the season’s end. On August 2, 2024, Wheatley was waived/injured by the Patriots, ending his time in New England.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024–2025)
On October 21, 2024, Wheatley was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, providing him with another opportunity to continue his professional career. He signed a reserve/future contract with Atlanta on January 6, 2025, signaling the organization’s interest in keeping him in the fold.
His tenure with the Falcons was cut short on August 14, when he was waived by the team with an injury designation. Despite the setback, Wheatley has continued to pursue opportunities in professional football.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant milestones in Tyrone Wheatley Jr.’s career came on August 27, 2023, when he was traded to the New England Patriots. He went on to play in the first two games of the season on special teams, marking his first regular-season appearances in the NFL. The transition from tight end to offensive tackle, which began during the 2021 Spring League season, also stands as a defining moment in his professional journey.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. comes from a strong football family. His father, Tyrone Wheatley Sr., is a former Michigan running back and first-round NFL draft pick who went on to play for the New York Giants. The elder Wheatley later transitioned into coaching and is currently the head coach at Wayne State. The family’s deep football roots have played a significant role in shaping Tyrone Jr.’s career path and his commitment to the sport.
Personal Life
Wheatley was raised in Buffalo, New York, and has remained connected to his hometown throughout his career. He followed in his father’s footsteps by attending the University of Michigan before continuing his college career at Stony Brook. His family connection to the game has been a constant motivating factor in his pursuit of a sustained professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 season, Tyrone Wheatley Jr. was waived by the Atlanta Falcons with an injury designation on August 14, 2025. His status for the remainder of the season remains uncertain, though his signing of a reserve/future contract with Atlanta in January 2025 indicated the team’s interest in developing him at the offensive tackle position.
Throughout the 2025 offseason, Wheatley worked to recover from injury and prepare for another opportunity in the NFL. His experience as a versatile player who can contribute on special teams and at multiple offensive line positions has been a key factor in his continued pursuit of a roster spot.
Looking ahead, Wheatley’s ability to stay healthy and find a consistent role with a team will be critical to extending his professional career. His journey from a highly rated high school prospect to a journeyman NFL offensive tackle reflects both the challenges and the perseverance required to succeed at the highest level of professional football.