Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (born February 4, 1997), also known as T.J. Wheatley, is an American football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Wheatley played college football at the University of Michigan, Stony Brook University, and Morgan State University.

This article is about the offensive tackle. For his father, see Tyrone Wheatley.

Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
No. 79 – Cleveland Browns
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1997-02-04) February 4, 1997
New Jersey
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:Canisius (Buffalo)
College:
Undrafted:2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Reserve/futures
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life and high school

Wheatley played tight end and defensive end at Canisius High School, where he was also named The Buffalo News' player of the year.[1][2] He was listed as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, who ranked him as the 13th best tight end prospect in the nation and the top ranked in New York state.[3] ESPN also named him the No. 12 overall prospect in the nation. As a defensive end, Wheatley was ranked as the 25th-best prospect in the country and the top overall prospect in New York state by Scout.com.[4]

Wheatley also held offers from Alabama, Florida, UCLA and USC, but committed to Michigan, his father's alma mater, on February 4, 2015.[5][6]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
TE/DE		 Buffalo, New York Canisius High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

College career

Michigan

Wheatley, playing as a tight end, missed his entire true freshman season with a foot injury. He scored his first touchdown against Illinois on October 22, 2016.[7] He finished the season with three receptions for 35 yards, playing in 12 games. In his sophomore season, Wheatley made his first collegiate start against Florida on September 2, 2017. He made three starts in the season, catching three receptions for 26 yards.

Wheatley fractured his metatarsal in his foot in March 2018, ruling him out for spring ball.[8] On August 2, 2018, a day before Michigan started training camp, Wheatley announced that he would be departing the team.[9]

Stony Brook

On August 5, 2018, Stony Brook announced that Wheatley had transferred to the Seawolves.[10] Moving from FBS to FCS, he was eligible immediately.[11] Wheatley made his first start at tight end for Stony Brook on September 22 against Richmond.[12] Wheatley started in eight games for Stony Brook, recording six receptions for 36 yards on the season.[13]

Morgan State

Wheatley played the 2019 season for the Bears where his father, Tyrone Wheatley, was in his first year as the head coach.[14]

Professional career

The Spring League

Wheatley played for the Blues in 2021 The Spring League season, converting from tight end to offensive tackle.[15]

Chicago Bears

He signed with the Chicago Bears on June 17, 2021.[16] Wheatley was waived during final roster cuts, but re-signed to the team's practice squad.[17] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears on January 11, 2022.[18] He was waived on May 6, 2022.

Las Vegas Raiders

On May 15, 2022, Wheatley signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.[19] On August 16, 2022, Wheatley was waived by the Raiders.[20]

Cleveland Browns

On September 20, 2022, Wheatley signed with the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns.[21] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023.[22]

Personal life

Wheatley is the son of Tyrone Wheatley, former Michigan running back and first-round NFL draft pick. Wheatley Sr. is currently the running backs coach of the Denver Broncos.[23]

References
  1. Rodriguez, Miguel. "Brute force: Canisius' TJ Wheatley is News Player of the Year". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  2. McShea, Keith. "Canisius adds to football riches with Wheatley brothers, who are following father's footsteps". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  3. "New Michigan Man: DE/TE Tyrone Wheatley Jr | MGoFish". February 4, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  4. "Tyrone Wheatley - Football". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  5. Veronica, Nick (February 4, 2015). "Canisius' TJ Wheatley commits to Michigan". It's Always Game Seven. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  6. Jerzykowski, Amanda (August 18, 2015). "Incoming Freshman Profiles: TE Tyrone Wheatley Jr". Maize n Brew. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  7. "Tyrone Wheatley Jr. enjoys his first catch, first touchdown at Michigan". mlive. October 23, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  8. "Michigan football injury report: TE Tyrone Wheatley out for spring". mlive. March 24, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  9. Chengelis, Angelique S. "Tyrone Wheatley Jr. leaves Michigan on eve of camp". The Detroit News. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  10. "Seawolves Add Michigan Transfer Tyrone Wheatley Jr. to the Roster". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  11. Baumgardner, Nick. "Ex-Michigan TE Tyrone Wheatley Jr. transfers to Stony Brook". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  12. "Infantino and the Seawolves Travel to Southeast Missouri for FCS Playoffs". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  13. "Tyrone Wheatley Jr. - Football". Morgan State University Athletics. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  14. "Tyrone Wheatley Jr Player Bio". Morgan State Bears Football. Morgan State Athletics. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  15. Serritella, Ric. "The Spring League Top 5 Prospects: Blues (3-3)". The NFL Draft Bible on Sports Illustrated: The Leading Authority on the NFL Draft. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  16. "Chicago Bears to sign OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr". Bears Wire. June 17, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  17. Chamberlain, Gene. "Bears Bring Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Back on Practice Squad". Sports Illustrated Chicago Bears News, Analysis and More. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  18. Mayer, Larry (January 11, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 11 to reserve/future contracts". ChicagoBears.com.
  19. "Raiders sign former Bears OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr". Raiders Wire. USA Today. May 15, 2022.
  20. "Raiders make moves to bring roster to 85-player limit". Raiders.com. August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  21. "Browns place TE Jesse James and DE Chase Winovich on injured reserve". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  22. "Browns sign 10 players to reserve/futures contracts". ClevelandBrowns.com. January 9, 2023.
  23. Wiltfong, Lester A. Jr. (June 17, 2021). "Bears sign try-out player T.J. Wheatley Jr". Windy City Gridiron. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
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