Wills appeared in 11 games as a true freshman with one start, which came when the Crimson Tide opened their game against Ole Miss with a six lineman formation.[3] Wills was named the starter at right tackle going into his sophomore season.[4][5] He started all 15 of the Crimson Tide's games and was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Offensive Lineman of the Week for week 7 against Missouri.[6]
Wills was named a first-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports and to the second-team by the Associated Press, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, USA Today entering his junior season.[7][8] Wills was named a first-team midseason All-American by the Associated Press.[9] He was named first-team All-SEC and was a consensus second-team All-America selection at the end of the season after starting all of the Crimson Tides' games and missing only seven total blocking assignments in 771 total snaps played.[10][11] In January 2020, Wills announced that he would be forgoing his senior season to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.[12]
Professional career
Wills was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round with the 10th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.[15] Wills made his debut in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens before leaving the game due to a minor shin injury.[16] In Week 10, Wills won the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award for helping the Browns offense gain 231 rushing yards and a touchdown over the Houston Texans, becoming the first offensive lineman to win the award since 2013.[17] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Browns on December 24, 2020,[18] and activated two days later.[19]
On May 2, 2023, the Browns picked up the fifth-year option of Wills' contract.[20] He suffered an MCL injury in Week 9 and was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2023.[21]
References
^Rowland, Justin (June 14, 2016). "Jedrick Wills to play in Under Armour All-American Game". CatsIllustrated. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
^Champlin, Drew (November 15, 2016). "Elite offensive lineman Jedrick Wills commits to Alabama". AL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
^Casagrande, Michael (January 13, 2018). "How every Alabama football freshman played in 2017". AL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
^Potter, Charlie (October 5, 2018). "Jedrick Wills comfortable, confident in role as Alabama starter". 247Sports.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
^Paschall, David (October 19, 2018). "Jedrick Wills Jr. shapes up as next great Crimson Tide tackle". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
^Byington, Alex (March 25, 2019). "Wills Jr. anchors Alabama's new-look OL as one of two returning starters". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
^Potter, Charlie (June 19, 2019). "Alabama lands nine on Athlon Sports' Preseason All-America Team". 247Sports.com. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
^Lamb, Clint (August 21, 2019). "Alabama football: 5 Tide players land on USA TODAY Sports preseason All-American team". Roll Tide Wire. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
^Zenitz, Matt (October 15, 2019). "Four Alabama players named AP midseason All-Americans". AL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
^Justice, Cameron (April 24, 2020). "Cleveland Browns select Jedrick Wills with first round pick in 2020 NFL Draft". News 5 Cleveland WEWS. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
^Bolch, Ben (April 15, 2020). "NFL draft: Jedrick Wills Jr. was born to play football". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
^Rodak, Mike (January 4, 2020). "Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills declares for NFL draft". AL.com. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
^"Jedrick Wills Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
^"2020 NFL Draft Scout Jedrick Wills College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
^Gribble, Andrew (April 23, 2020). "Browns select Alabama OT Jedrick Wills Jr. with No. 10 pick in 2020 NFL Draft". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
^Cabot, Mary Kay (September 14, 2020). "Browns RT Jack Conklin listed as 'did not practice' for Bengals with ankle & finger injuries; Jedrick Wills limited with shin". Cleveland.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
^Inbinett, Mark (November 20, 2020). "Jedrick Wills scores rare win for offensive linemen". AL.com. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
^Cabot, Mary Kay (December 24, 2020). "Browns LT Jedrick Wills Jr. placed on COVID-19 reserve as close contact unrelated to charity event; 'possibility' he'll face Jets". Cleveland.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
^Kelly, Kyle (December 26, 2020). "Browns place B.J. Goodson on the reserve/ COVID-19 list, activate Jedrick Wills". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
^Poisal, Anthony (May 2, 2023). "Browns pick up 5th-year option for Jedrick Wills Jr". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
^"Browns place T Jedrick Wills Jr. on injured reserve". ClevelandBrowns.com. November 7, 2023.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jedrick Wills.