Brayden Willis

Brayden Willis
Willis with the San Francisco 49ers in 2024
No. 82 – San Francisco 49ers
PositionTight end
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (1999-11-11) November 11, 1999
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolMartin (Arlington, Texas)
CollegeOklahoma (2018–2022)
NFL draft2023: 7th round, 247th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Tackles10
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Brayden Willis (born November 11, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and was selected by the 49ers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Early life

Willis grew up in Arlington, Texas and attended Martin High School.[1] He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Oklahoma.[2]

College career

Willis played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners for five seasons. He caught 15 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns as a senior.[3] Willis decided to use the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and returned to Oklahoma for a fifth season.[4] In his final season, Willis had 39 receptions for 514 yards and seven touchdowns.[5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Wingspan 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+1⁄2 in
(1.92 m)		 241 lb
(109 kg)		 33+1⁄4 in
(0.84 m)		 9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 6 ft 7+1⁄8 in
(2.01 m)		 4.36 s 7.30 s 33.5 in
(0.85 m)		 9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)		 20 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[6][7]

Willis was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round (247th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft.[8] On August 27, 2024, he was waived by the 49ers,[9] but was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[10] Willis was promoted to the active roster on October 8.[11]

On April 22, 2025, Willis re-signed with the 49ers.[12] He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts,[13] but was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[14] On September 17, Willis was promoted to the active roster.[15] He was waived on October 18,[16] but was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[17] On January 13, 2026, Willis was promoted to the active roster.[18]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD FF Fum FR Yds TD
2023 SF 7 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 SF 10 0 3 1 2 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025 SF 6 0 6 3 3 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 23 0 10 5 5 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Postseason

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD FF Fum FR Yds TD
2023 SF 3 0 1 0 1 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025 SF 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 4 0 1 0 1 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

References

  1. ^ Aber, Ryan (April 4, 2019). "OU football: Brayden Willis' strange road to Norman has him in position for bigger role". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Gosset, Brian (January 29, 2018). "3-star recruit Brayden Willis commits to Oklahoma". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  3. ^ Aber, Ryan (March 3, 2022). "OU spring football position preview: Brayden Willis leads tight-end group facing overhaul". The Oklahoman. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  4. ^ Chapman, Ryan (January 7, 2022). "Oklahoma's Brayden Willis Announces Future Plans". SI.com. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Lederman, Eli (March 29, 2023). "Austin Stogner is back at OU. Can he replace the production the Sooners got from Brayden Willis in 2022?". Tulsa World. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  6. ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Brayden Willis Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  7. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Brayden Willis College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  8. ^ McDonald, Briana (April 29, 2023). "49ers Select TE Brayden Willis with the No. 247 Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft". 49ers.com. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "49ers Announce Moves for Initial 53-Man Roster of 2024". 49ers.com. August 27, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  10. ^ "49ers Announce Practice Squad Moves". 49ers.com. August 28, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "Talanoa Hufanga Placed on Injured Reserve, Willis Promoted to Active Roster". 49ers.com. October 9, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Bonilla, David (April 22, 2025). "49ers sign four players to one-year exclusive rights contracts". 49ers Webzone. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  13. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves, Sign 13 Players to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  14. ^ "49ers Release, Waive, and Make Roster Moves on a List of Players". 49ers.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  15. ^ "49ers Place OL Bartch on IR, Promote TE Willis to Roster, Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com. September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  16. ^ Posey, Kyle (October 18, 2025). "George Kittle is back". Niners Nation. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  17. ^ Masala, Mike. "49ers announce slew of roster moves ahead Week 7 battle vs. Falcons". 49ers Wire. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  18. ^ "49ers Promote Brayden Willis, Place George Kittle on IR, Open Fred Warner's Practice Window". 49ers.com. January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.


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