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Is Wyett Ekeler related to Austin Ekeler? Meet Wyoming safety hoping to follow in brother's NFL footsteps

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The Sporting News
9h ago

Wyett Ekeler, a promising safety from Wyoming, aims to join the NFL, following in the footsteps of his older half-brother, Austin Ekeler, a well-known player in the league. Both brothers attended high school in Colorado, but while Austin played college football at Western Colorado, Wyett opted to attend Wyoming, where he thrived in his later college years. Wyett's performance at his pro day, highlighted by impressive physical stats, has garnered attention as he looks to secure a spot in the NFL. Originally a running back and linebacker in high school, Wyett transitioned to safety in college, a move that aligned better with his skills, resulting in a standout 2023 season. The bond between the two brothers is rooted in their shared upbringing rather than football, underscoring the support Austin provides to Wyett as he navigates the draft process.

Is Wyett Ekeler related to Austin Ekeler? Meet Wyoming safety hoping to follow in brother's NFL footsteps

Wyett Ekeler, a safety from Wyoming, is the younger half-brother of NFL veteran Austin Ekeler, with both having attended high school in Colorado before pursuing different college paths.

While Austin made his mark in the NFL after playing for Western Colorado, Wyett chose to attend Wyoming, where he became a crucial part of the defense, especially in his last three collegiate years.

Wyett's athletic prowess was on display during his pro day, where he showcased a 40-yard dash time of 4.44 seconds, a vertical leap of 41.5 inches, and a broad jump of 10 feet 11 inches, which have generated significant interest from NFL scouts.

Originally a three-star running back out of high school, Wyett transitioned to safety in college, a strategic move that allowed him to better utilize his skillset and culminated in a highly successful 2023 season.

The brothers share a close relationship that is grounded in their shared life experiences rather than just their football careers, with Austin emphasizing the importance of their bond during Wyett's transition into the professional league.

Wyett's college career statistics are impressive, with 197 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions, and 15 pass breakups over 48 games, highlighting his defensive capabilities.

The NFL Draft offers an opportunity for lesser-known players from smaller schools like Wyett to achieve their dreams, mirroring Austin's journey from a small-school running back to a prominent NFL player.

The NFL Draft is a time for players to reach their dreams, and that's especially true for some smaller-school players.

While the SEC and Big 10 typically dominate the event, standouts from other conferences can also find their way to becoming key members of draft classes. This year, one lesser-known player who hopes to find a role in the NFL is Wyett Ekeler, a safety from Wyoming.

If that name sounds familiar, that's because Austin Ekeler is an established veteran in the NFL, first with the Chargers then the Commanders. The former undrafted free agent was a small-school running back himself who worked his way up to becoming one of the most reliable players in the league.

So, are Wyett Ekeler and Austin Ekeler related? Here's what you need to know.

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Is Wyett Ekeler related to Austin Ekeler?

Wyett Ekeler is Austin Ekeler's younger half-brother, as the two have the same mother but different fathers. Both Ekelers attended high school in Colorado, but while Austin played college football at Western Colorado, Wyett chose to leave the state and attend Wyoming.

As he went through the draft process, Ekeler had a strong pro day, setting himself up well to join his brother in the NFL.

Wyett Ekeler was a running back and linebacker in high school, but he changed positions to safety in college to better fit his skillset. According to 247 Sports, Ekeler was a three-star running back out of high school when he committed to Wyoming.

In 2019, before Wyett began his college career, Austin explained why the two were so close.

"I'd say it's all about being brothers and none of it is built on football," he said, via the Greeley Tribune. "It's living together and growing up that is the developmental part of life. In those times, there was a lot of hard work and it brings you closer together."

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Wyett Ekeler stats

Ekeler didn't play much in his first two collegiate seasons, but he became a huge part of Wyoming's defense in the last three years. Ekeler's best season came in 2023 when he had a career high in tackles, sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles.

Games Games Tackles Sacks Interceptions Passes Defended Forced Fumbles Fumble Recoveries
2020 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
2021 11 6 0 0 0 0 0
2022 13 67 0 1 7 1 1
2023 13 77 2 2 7 2 1
2024 9 46 0 1 1 0 0

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