A converted tight end turned two-time All-Big Sky linebacker at Montana, Riley Wilson finished his college career at Arizona before signing on as an undrafted free agent.
Riley Wilson took an unusual route to the NFL, starting as a receiving tight end at Hawai'i before remaking himself as a linebacker at Montana and finally Arizona. He went unselected in the 2026 NFL draft but signed as an undrafted free agent after a productive senior season with the Wildcats.
Path to the league
A Prosper, Texas native, Wilson began his college career at Hawai'i in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, playing as a receiving tight end before redshirting. He transferred to Montana, where he converted to linebacker and became a key piece of one of the FCS's top defenses, helping the Grizzlies reach a national championship game. He transferred again to Arizona for his final season in 2025 before signing as an undrafted free agent in the 2026 cycle.
Career highlights
Over two seasons at Montana, Wilson totaled 136 tackles and 26.5 tackles for loss, earning back-to-back second-team All-Big Sky Conference honors. Pro Football Focus rated him the No. 3 edge rusher in the FCS ahead of his final Montana season. That production, paired with his size at 6-foot-2 and 224 pounds, made him a versatile defender capable of playing multiple roles in the front seven.
2025 season recap
In his only season at Arizona in 2025, Wilson recorded 51 total tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and four pass deflections as he adjusted to a new scheme at the FBS level. He went unselected in the 2026 NFL draft but signed on as an undrafted free agent shortly afterward, giving him a shot to carve out a role on special teams and in the linebacker rotation as a rookie.
Sources
- SI: Former Arizona Linebacker Signs With Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Arizona Wildcats Athletics: Riley Wilson
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Arizona
- Hometown
- Prosper, TX, USA
- Status
- active
