Wesley French Bio
Wesley M. French (born November 30, 1996) is an American professional football center for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He spent seven years playing college football at Western Michigan University, seeing game action during five of those seasons both as a defensive tackle and offensive lineman. French was signed by general manager Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2022. After failing to see game action during his 2022 rookie year, French made his first career NFL start on September 24, 2023, on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.
Early Life and Background
Wesley M. French was born on November 30, 1996, in St. Joseph, Michigan, located in the western part of the state. He was active in athletics from an early age, participating in wrestling and football. French attended St. Joseph High School, where he played offensive tackle for the Bears. By the end of his high school days, French had added several inches of height and 25 pounds of muscle, measuring 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 300 pounds. His skill, strength, and size attracted the scholarship attention of several universities, including the University of Illinois, Iowa State University, and San Diego State University. In December 2014, French decided to accept the scholarship offer from Western Michigan University, located in Kalamazoo, where he enrolled as a freshman in the fall of 2015.
Path to American Football
French’s collegiate career with the Western Michigan Broncos proved to be lengthy, lasting seven years in all. He did not see game action as a freshman in 2015, thereby retaining the year of eligibility. He finally cracked the lineup in 2016, playing in four games for a Western Michigan team regarded as among the school’s best ever, finishing the regular season with an undefeated 12–0 record before falling to the University of Wisconsin in the January 2017 Cotton Bowl Classic. As a sophomore in the 2017 season, French was again relegated to reserve duty, appearing for just 35 snaps over the course of three games, including a contest against the #4 ranked University of Southern California. French was moved to the defensive side of the ball for the 2018 season, starting four times and playing in all 13 games as a defensive tackle. He recorded 22 tackles during the season. French’s ostensible junior season in 2019 was over before it began, as he suffered a season-ending foot injury during football camp. Nevertheless, he graduated from Western Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary health services in June of that year, allowing him another year of collegiate eligibility. In 2020, French, now studying for a master’s of business administration at Western Michigan, was moved back to the offense. He started all six games for the school at center in this truncated season, playing 397 snaps without allowing either a sack or a quarterback hit. The Broncos finished 16th among FBS schools in total offense and 10th in sacks allowed, giving up just seven quarterback sacks for the year. Granted an extra year of collegiate eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, French returned to Western Michigan for a seventh year in 2021. He started all 13 games for the Broncos at center, being named to the Academic All-MAC team and helping to lead the team to a victory over the University of Nevada in the 2021 Quick Lane Bowl.
Wesley French Career
Early Career (2022)
On April 30, 2022, French signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent, following the 2022 NFL draft. He signed a three-year, $2.57 million contract with the club that included a guaranteed signing bonus of $10,000. French did not see game action with the Colts during the 2022 season.
Breakthrough (2023)
French was named to the Colts’ 53-man roster in 2023, seeing action during the first two games of the year. Following an injury to Colts’ starting center Ryan Kelly, French made his first career start in the NFL on September 24, 2023, in a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Notable Works and Milestones
Wesley French’s signature moment came with his first career NFL start, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.
Wesley French Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Wesley French has not received any notable award nominations.
Wesley French Awards Won
Wesley French has not won any notable awards during his career.
Wesley French Family
Information regarding Wesley French’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about Wesley French’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly disclosed.