Will Hernandez Bio
William Hernandez, commonly known as Will Hernandez, is an American professional football offensive lineman currently playing for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 332 pounds, Hernandez plays both guard and center, earning a reputation for toughness and consistency along the offensive line. After a standout college career at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), he was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and quickly became a full-time starter. He has since built a long professional career, including a stint with the Arizona Cardinals where he continues to play a key role in protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes.
Early Life and Background
Will Hernandez was born on September 2, 1995, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was raised in a Mexican family with roots tracing back to Mexico City, a heritage that has shaped much of his identity and his efforts to grow football beyond the United States. Hernandez attended Chaparral High School in Paradise, Nevada, where he became a four-year letterman and a three-year starter. He lined up at offensive line, defensive end, and middle linebacker, showcasing the physical versatility that would later define his professional profile.
Interestingly, Hernandez quit football after his freshman year of high school in order to work as a manager for his father’s construction company. His high school head coach convinced him to return to the team before his junior year, recognizing the rare physical tools that Hernandez possessed. As a senior, he earned all-Nevada honors as an offensive lineman and was named all-conference as a defensive end, finishing the year with 42 tackles, eight sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Outside of football, Hernandez was a multi-sport athlete who lettered in track, powerlifting, wrestling, and soccer. Despite his obvious talent, he was rated as a zero-star recruit, attracting only walk-on offers from Nevada, UNLV, and Wyoming. UTEP was the lone program to offer him a scholarship, a decision that shaped the entire direction of his football career.
Path to American Football
Will Hernandez’s path to becoming a professional football lineman began in earnest at Chaparral High School, where his size and athletic ability made him a force on both sides of the ball. His decision to return to football after a year away from the sport proved to be a turning point, as his rapid development caught the attention of college recruiters who might otherwise have overlooked a player with no formal recruiting ranking.
His scholarship offer from UTEP gave him a direct path into the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), a level of college football that many walk-on recruits never reach. Once on campus, Hernandez committed himself to mastering the offensive line, and the UTEP coaching staff quickly recognized that they had landed a player with professional potential. The Miners’ program became the launching pad that took him from a lightly recruited high school prospect to an NFL Draft selection.
Will Hernandez Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
After redshirting his first year at UTEP in 2013, Will Hernandez was immediately named a starter as a redshirt freshman and never relinquished the role. From 2014 through 2017, he started all 49 games of his collegiate career, anchoring the Miners’ offensive line and earning recognition as one of the most durable linemen in the conference.
Following the 2016 season, Hernandez was honored as a second-team All-American, a remarkable achievement for a player from a Conference USA program. Although UTEP struggled to a 0-12 record in 2017 and finished last in the FBS in several categories, Hernandez was still named to the All-Conference USA offensive line and was described as the sole bright spot on a very dismal season. He also participated in the NFL Combine and was invited to the College Football All-Star Challenge, where he solidified his standing as one of the top interior linemen in the 2018 draft class.
New York Giants Breakthrough (2018–2021)
The New York Giants selected Will Hernandez in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the second guard chosen that year behind Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson. On May 12, 2018, the Giants signed him to a four-year contract worth $7.45 million, which included $5.08 million in guarantees and a signing bonus of $3.49 million. He was immediately installed as the team’s starting left guard.
In his rookie season, Hernandez started all 16 games and was named to the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie Team, validating the Giants’ decision to invest a second-round pick in the UTEP product. His hard-nosed, run-blocking style quickly became a hallmark of his play.
On October 29, 2020, Hernandez was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for COVID-19. He returned to the active roster on November 10, 2020, but lost his starting left guard position to rookie Shane Lemieux and remained a backup for the rest of the season. He played his final season with the Giants in 2021 before entering free agency.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2022–Present)
On March 28, 2022, Will Hernandez signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, beginning a new chapter in his career. In Week 4 of that season, against the Carolina Panthers, he was ejected in the fourth quarter for making contact with an official. He was later placed on injured reserve on November 9, 2022, with a pectoral injury, before being activated on December 17, 2022.
On March 15, 2023, Hernandez signed a two-year contract extension with the Cardinals worth up to $9 million, including $4.5 million fully guaranteed. He retained his starting right guard role and started every game of the 2023 season, providing stability and veteran leadership on the offensive line.
Hernandez returned as a starter in 2024, starting Arizona’s first five games before suffering a knee injury in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. On October 7, 2024, the Cardinals announced that the injury was season-ending, and he was placed on injured reserve. On August 7, 2025, he re-signed with the Cardinals and returned in Week 5 as the starting left guard, later moving to right guard for six more games before being placed on injured reserve on November 29, 2025, with hip and knee injuries.
Driving Style and Strengths
Will Hernandez is widely regarded as a physical, run-first offensive lineman whose strength lies in drive blocking and pass protection at both guard positions. His combination of leverage, power, and finishing mentality has made him a reliable presence on the interior line. Throughout his career, he has been valued for his durability, leadership in the locker room, and ability to step in at multiple positions along the offensive front.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Will Hernandez’s career came in his rookie season of 2018, when he started all 16 games for the New York Giants and earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He has also been recognized as a Second-team All-American in 2017 and a First-team All-Conference USA selection, cementing his place among the most accomplished linemen in UTEP history. His career NFL totals as of 2025 include 104 games played and 98 games started.
Will Hernandez Career Wins
Will Hernandez’s professional success is best measured in durability, consistency, and individual accolades rather than traditional win totals, as offensive linemen are typically evaluated by performance metrics. Across his career with the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals, he has started 98 of 104 regular-season games, a testament to his reliability and toughness.
New York Giants Highlights
During his four seasons with the New York Giants from 2018 to 2021, Will Hernandez made his most significant early impact, starting all 16 games as a rookie and earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. He was a key building block for a Giants team in transition, providing physicality in the run game and protection in the passing game.
Arizona Cardinals Highlights
With the Arizona Cardinals, Will Hernandez has become a steady presence along the offensive line, starting every game in 2023 after signing his two-year extension. He has shifted between left and right guard as needed, demonstrating his positional flexibility and value to the Cardinals’ offensive scheme.
Will Hernandez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Will Hernandez was raised in a Mexican family based in Las Vegas, Nevada, with both of his parents originally from Mexico City. His father runs a construction company, an environment that helped build Hernandez’s blue-collar work ethic and familiarity with physical labor from a young age.
Personal Life
Hernandez has used his platform as an NFL player to promote football in Mexico, organizing football camps in the country as part of a broader effort to expand the sport beyond its traditional U.S. base. His Mexican heritage and family ties to Mexico City remain a central part of his identity, and he continues to honor that connection through community work and outreach.
2025 Season Performance
Will Hernandez’s 2025 season with the Arizona Cardinals began in late August when he re-signed with the team on August 7, 2025. After a knee injury cut short his 2024 campaign, his return was a boost for an offensive line in need of veteran experience. He returned to the starting lineup in Week 5 as the team’s left guard before shifting back to right guard for the following six games.
On November 29, 2025, Hernandez was placed on injured reserve with hip and knee injuries, pausing his contributions midway through the season. Through the games he played, he provided stability and toughness along the interior line, helping to anchor a young Cardinals offensive front.
Looking ahead, Hernandez’s experience and proven ability to play both guard positions will continue to be a valuable asset for the Cardinals as they navigate injuries and develop their younger players. His leadership and versatility ensure that he remains a key figure in the team’s offensive line plans.
