Will Fries Bio
William Connor Fries (born April 4, 1998) is an American professional football guard for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and weighing around 321 lb (146 kg), Fries is known for his size, technique, and dependability on the offensive line. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. Since turning professional, Fries has built a reputation as a durable, high-motor lineman who has steadily grown into one of the more reliable interior blockers in the league.
Early Life and Background
William Connor Fries was born on April 4, 1998, in Staten Island, New York. He was raised in Cranford, New Jersey, where he attended Cranford High School. Growing up in a family that valued athletics, Fries developed his frame and football fundamentals during his prep years, working toward a future on the offensive line.
At Cranford High School, Fries played prep football and began attracting attention from college programs thanks to his combination of size, footwork, and football intelligence. His development at the high school level laid the foundation for a college recruitment that would eventually lead him to a Big Ten program.
His younger brother, Matt Fries, plays college football for Monmouth University, continuing the family’s tradition in the sport. This shared athletic background helped shape Fries’s competitive drive during his formative years.
Path to American Football
Fries committed to Penn State, where he played college football from 2016 through 2020. Working his way up the depth chart, he developed into a consistent starter along the offensive line, refining his run-blocking and pass-protection techniques against top-tier Big Ten competition.
In 2020, Fries earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors, a recognition that confirmed his status as one of the conference’s top linemen that season. His performance against high-level defensive fronts positioned him as an attractive NFL prospect heading into the 2021 draft cycle.
Following his senior season, Fries declared for the 2021 NFL Draft and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round, 248th overall. The selection marked his official entry into professional football and set the stage for his career as an NFL offensive lineman.
Will Fries Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Fries officially signed with the Indianapolis Colts on May 6, 2021, beginning his professional career. As a seventh-round pick, he spent his rookie season developing behind veteran linemen and adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL playbooks. He appeared in limited action while learning the Colts’ offensive scheme.
In 2022, Fries began the year as a backup but earned an opportunity to start at right guard in Week 10. He started the remainder of the season, demonstrating enough consistency to remain in the Colts’ long-term plans. His strong finish to 2022 marked his emergence as a viable starting-caliber lineman.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2023–2024)
In 2023, Fries was named the Colts’ Week 1 starting right guard and held the position for the entire season. His durability and steady play made him a fixture on the offensive line and a key contributor to Indianapolis’s ground game and pass protection.
Fries returned as the starting right guard in 2024, continuing his development into a reliable every-down lineman. However, in Week 5 of the 2024 season, he suffered a fractured right tibia and was placed on injured reserve on October 7, 2024, cutting his season short. Despite the injury, his three-year run with the Colts established him as a proven NFL starter.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, Fries signed a five-year, $88 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, beginning a new chapter in his career. The signing was finalized shortly after the Vikings added his former Colts offensive line teammate Ryan Kelly, signaling a clear effort to bring a familiar group to Minnesota.
Fries joined the Vikings as an established starting guard, expected to anchor the interior of the offensive line. Through the early portion of the 2025 season, his experience and physicality have positioned him as a central figure in Minnesota’s offensive plans.
Playing Style and Strengths
Fries is recognized for his combination of size, leverage, and technical precision at the guard position. He is effective in both run-blocking and pass-protection schemes, with the footwork to handle interior rushers and the strength to move defenders at the line of scrimmage. His familiarity with zone-blocking concepts, refined during his time in Indianapolis, makes him a strong fit for the Vikings’ offensive identity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Fries’s most significant career moments are his first NFL start in 2022, his full-season starting role in 2023, and his March 2025 free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. His 2020 Second-team All-Big Ten selection remains a defining collegiate achievement, and his recovery from the October 2024 fractured tibia marked a test of his resilience entering free agency.
Will Fries Career Highlights
Across his professional career, Fries has appeared in 58 NFL games, making 48 starts and recording 1 fumble recovery as of 2025. His progression from late-round draft pick to multi-year starter underscores his steady development and consistency at the guard position.
Indianapolis Colts Highlights
Fries spent the 2021 through 2024 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, transitioning from a developmental backup into a full-time starting right guard. His first extended starting stretch came in 2022, beginning in Week 10, and he went on to start the entire 2023 season. His tenure was interrupted by a Week 5 injury in 2024, but his body of work with the Colts established him as a dependable NFL starter.
Other Performances
At the collegiate level, Fries was a multi-year contributor along the Penn State offensive line from 2016 to 2020, capping his career with a Second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2020. His prep career at Cranford High School also provided the foundation for his rise to Division I football.
Will Fries Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Fries was raised in Cranford, New Jersey, in a family with deep ties to athletics. His younger brother, Matt Fries, plays college football at Monmouth University, continuing the family’s presence in the sport and providing Fries with a familiar competitive influence.
Personal Life
Fries currently resides in Cranford, New Jersey. He is in a relationship with women’s basketball player Isabella Therien, the daughter of retired NHL hockey player Chris Therien. The couple’s shared athletic backgrounds have made them a well-known pairing within the sports community.
2025 Season Performance
Fries’s 2025 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings represents his first season with the team following his March 2025 signing. Joining alongside former Colts teammate Ryan Kelly, Fries has been integrated into the interior of Minnesota’s offensive line, bringing veteran stability to the unit.
Through the early stages of the season, Fries has continued to serve as a starting guard, helping anchor both the run and pass games. His presence has been particularly valuable as the Vikings adjust their offensive schemes and protect a developing quarterback room.
Looking ahead, Fries is positioned as a long-term building block for the Vikings under the terms of his five-year contract. If he maintains his health and performance level, he is expected to remain a central figure on Minnesota’s offensive line throughout the duration of the deal.
