NFL · Biography
Brayden Willis
Tight end · San Francisco 49ers · active · OU 2018-2022
'Weight Room Willy': the Sooner tight end who keeps earning his spot
Brayden Willis was born in Dallas and grew up in Arlington, Texas, where he attended Martin High School. A three-star recruit, he committed to Oklahoma.
Willis played five seasons for the Sooners (2018–2022), using the extra year of eligibility granted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. His patience paid off. In his final season in 2022 he caught 39 passes for 514 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming one of the Sooners' most dependable targets, and he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors.
The San Francisco 49ers selected Willis in the seventh round (247th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft. Like many late-round picks, he has had to fight for his roster spot, moving between the practice squad and the active roster several times. Most recently, the 49ers waived him on September 5, 2026, re-signed him to the practice squad, and then promoted him back to the active roster on September 15.
As of October 8, 2026, Willis is an active tight end for the 49ers, part of a strong Sooner group in San Francisco that also includes Trent Williams, Ogbo Okoronkwo and Gracen Halton.