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Marco Wilson
Marco Wilson
from Wikipedia

Marco Wilson (born March 3, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft. He has also played for the New England Patriots.

Key Information

Early life

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Wilson grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended the American Heritage School. He committed to play college football at Florida over offers from the University of Miami, Georgia, Ohio State and Southern California.[1] He is of Trinidadian descent through his father, and Puerto Rican through his mother.[2]

College career

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Wilson started as a true freshman and recorded 34 tackles and 10 passes broken up.[3] He was named preseason third-team All-SEC going into his sophomore year but tore his ACL two games into the season and redshirted the rest of the season.[4] As a redshirt sophomore, he recorded 36 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, 3 interceptions and 2 passes broken up.[5][6]

As a senior, he had a notable incident involving throwing an opposing player's shoe in a celebratory manner late during a game played on December 12, 2020, against the LSU Tigers, which resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that gave LSU a first down. LSU would go on to win the game after kicking a field goal later that drive, beating the Gators 37–34.[7]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+58 in
(1.82 m)
191 lb
(87 kg)
30+34 in
(0.78 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
4.34 s 1.49 s 2.51 s 4.09 s 6.80 s 43.5 in
(1.10 m)
11 ft 4 in
(3.45 m)
26 reps
All values from Pro Day[8][9][10]

Arizona Cardinals

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Wilson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round with the 136th overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft.[11] On May 20, 2021, Wilson signed his four-year rookie contract with Arizona.[12] Wilson entered his rookie season in 2021 as a starting cornerback alongside Byron Murphy. He finished the season with 48 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two passes defensed through 14 games and 13 starts.[13]

In Week 7 of the 2022 season, Wilson had a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown, along with three tackles and two pass breakups, in a 42-34 win over the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[14]

Wilson was released on December 26, 2023.[15]

New England Patriots

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On December 27, 2023, Wilson was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots.[16] He was waived on November 18, 2024.[17]

Cincinnati Bengals

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On November 19, 2024, Wilson was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.[18] He re-signed with the Bengals on March 12, 2025.[19]

Personal life

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Wilson's brother, Quincy Wilson, also played football at Florida and currently plays for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.[20][21]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Marco Wilson (born March 3, 1999) is an American football for the of the (NFL). Wilson attended the , where he played college football for the from 2017 to 2020, appearing in 36 games and recording 103 tackles, three interceptions, and 17 pass deflections. Selected by the in the fourth round (136th overall) of the , he began his career with the team, starting 13 games as a rookie and earning a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team as an alternate. Over three seasons with Arizona (2021–2023), he appeared in 43 games, starting 36, and amassed 162 tackles, three interceptions, and 18 passes defended. Wilson was claimed off waivers by the on December 28, 2023, and played one game that season. He remained with the in 2024, appearing in 10 games before being waived on November 18, 2024, and claimed by the Bengals the following day. He provided depth at for the Bengals during the remainder of the 2024 season and into 2025. Through week 10 of the 2025 season, Wilson's career totals include 63 with 37 starts, 179 combined tackles, three interceptions, and 20 passes defended across his stints with three teams. Known for his versatility in zone and man coverage, he stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 191 pounds.

Early life

Family and heritage

Marco Wilson was born on March 3, 1999, in . Wilson hails from a family with a strong legacy in football, particularly influenced by his father, Chad Wilson, who played as a at the from 1992 to 1994. Chad's experience as a athlete instilled a deep passion for the sport in his sons, shaping their early exposure to competitive football dynamics. His older brother, Quincy Wilson, further extended this family tradition by playing cornerback at the from 2014 to 2016 before embarking on an career, starting with the after being drafted in the second round of 2017, and later competing in the XFL. Growing up in this athletic household, Marco and Quincy bonded over the sport, even inventing a childhood game called "Carpet Football" that involved intense indoor play and often led to playful chaos in their home. This early family-driven immersion in football not only fostered their skills but also highlighted the cultural emphasis on sports within their Fort Lauderdale upbringing.

High school career

Marco Wilson attended American Heritage School in , where he excelled as a for the Patriots football team. Throughout his high school tenure, Wilson played a key role in the team's defensive efforts, contributing to (FHSAA) Class 5A state championship victories in 2014 and 2016. In his senior year of 2016, he tallied 20 tackles and three interceptions, while earning recognition as a All-American. As a highly touted four-star recruit in the class of 2017, Wilson drew interest from elite college programs, receiving scholarship offers from , Georgia, Ohio State, and USC, among others. He ultimately committed to the on August 1, 2016, influenced by his older brother Quincy Wilson's prior success with the Gators, aiming to extend the family's football legacy in Gainesville.

College career

2017–2018 seasons

As a true freshman in 2017 under head coach , Wilson quickly adapted to the rigors of (SEC) competition, earning a starting role at for the . He appeared in all 11 games, starting nine, during Florida's 11-game season, demonstrating his readiness for college-level play against top-tier opponents. Wilson's defensive contributions included 34 total tackles (21 solo, 13 assisted) and a team-leading 10 pass breakups, highlighting his ball skills and coverage ability early in his career. These performances marked him as one of only four true freshmen in program history to start at , underscoring his smooth transition from high school dominance to the physicality and speed of SEC defenses. Entering the season as a under new head coach , who had taken over in December 2017, Wilson aimed to build on his rookie success amid a revamped defensive scheme. However, his year was cut short by a torn (ACL) in his left knee during the first quarter of the Gators' second game, a 27-16 loss to on September 8. Prior to the injury, he appeared in two games with one pass breakup but no tackles recorded. The season-ending injury led to Wilson receiving a medical redshirt, preserving a year of eligibility while limiting his on-field participation. During his 2018 redshirt period, Wilson focused on rehabilitation and deeper integration into the team under Mullen's staff, emphasizing mental resilience and scheme familiarity to prepare for a 2019 return. He underwent shortly after the injury and committed to a rigorous recovery process, which allowed him to maintain academic progress and contribute off the field by mentoring younger defensive backs. This setback, while challenging, fostered greater team bonding, as Wilson remained active in meetings and film study, aiding his adaptation to Mullen's up-tempo defensive philosophy.

2019–2020 seasons

In his redshirt sophomore season of 2019, Wilson started all 13 games for the , recording 36 total tackles (23 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and two pass breakups. His interceptions included key picks against Vanderbilt and , contributing to Florida's 11-2 record and an victory over . As a junior in 2020, Wilson appeared in 10 games, starting nine, and tallied 33 tackles and four pass breakups with no interceptions. The season included standout defensive efforts, such as multiple tackles in wins over and , but was overshadowed by a controversial incident during a 37-34 loss to LSU on December 12. After tackling LSU Kole Taylor on third down late in the fourth quarter with the score tied, Wilson removed and threw Taylor's shoe approximately 20 yards downfield, drawing flags for and targeting penalties that extended LSU's drive and enabled a game-winning 57-yard . head coach described the penalty as "unfortunate," noting Wilson's role in the initial stop. Through the end of the 2020 regular season, Wilson had accumulated 103 total tackles and three interceptions in 36 games played at . Following the Gators' 8-4 campaign, he opted out of the Cotton Bowl matchup against and declared for the on December 29, 2020.

Professional career

Arizona Cardinals

Wilson was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round, 136th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4,130,380, including a $650,380 signing bonus. As a rookie in 2021, Wilson quickly earned a starting role at cornerback, appearing in 14 games with 13 starts while recording 44 combined tackles (36 solo), 4 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. His performance contributed to the Cardinals' 11-6 record and NFC West title, though the team fell in the wild-card playoff round. In 2022, Wilson continued as a starter, playing all 14 games with 13 starts and tallying 54 combined tackles (40 solo), 10 pass deflections, 3 interceptions for 77 yards, and 1 forced fumble; one of his interceptions was a 38-yard return for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. These efforts helped solidify his role in the secondary during a 4-13 season for Arizona. Entering 2023 as a projected starter, Wilson's play declined amid injuries and inconsistencies, leading to him being benched after Week 11. He appeared in 15 games with 11 starts, accumulating 52 combined tackles (41 solo) and 4 pass deflections before the Cardinals released him on , 2023, with two games remaining in the season. Over his three seasons with , Wilson played in 43 games with 37 starts, registering 158 combined tackles, 18 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, and 1 defensive .

New England Patriots

On December 27, 2023, the claimed Marco Wilson off waivers from the . In his brief appearance during the 2023 season, Wilson played in one game, recording 1 assisted tackle. Under head coach , Wilson served as a depth in the Patriots' secondary during the 2024 season, contributing in a rotational role. He appeared in 10 games, accumulating 15 tackles (8 solo and 7 assists) along with 1 fumble recovery. The Patriots waived Wilson on November 18, 2024, as part of adjustments to their defensive backfield following a performance against the . Over his tenure with , Wilson's overall statistics totaled 16 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.

Cincinnati Bengals

On November 19, 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals claimed Marco Wilson off waivers from the to bolster their secondary amid injuries. In the 2024 season, Wilson appeared in six games for the Bengals without starting, recording two tackles and one pass deflection while contributing to the team's depth needs. Wilson re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year contract on March 12, 2025, securing his position as a reserve player heading into the new season. As of November 19, 2025, Wilson has played in three games during the 2025 season, tallying three solo tackles with no interceptions or forced fumbles, primarily serving in a rotational depth role to support the starting cornerbacks. Through his tenure with the Bengals, Wilson has accumulated five tackles and one pass deflection across nine games, demonstrating reliability in a supporting capacity. Wilson has adapted effectively to the Bengals' defensive scheme under coordinator , which emphasizes zone coverage and versatility in the secondary, allowing him to integrate as a depth piece without disrupting the unit's structure.

Personal life

Family

Marco Wilson was raised in a football-centric family environment shaped by his father, Chad Wilson, a former college who played at Long Beach State from 1990 to 1991 before transferring to the , where he competed from 1992 to 1994. Chad instilled a competitive spirit in his sons through rigorous training and backyard drills, often emphasizing technique and that influenced Marco's development as a player. Marco shares a close bond with his older brother, Quincy Wilson, with whom he grew up practicing football daily, including inventing games like "Carpet Football" that honed their skills amid a supportive yet demanding household. Quincy, also a , followed their father's legacy by playing at the from 2014 to 2016 before being drafted by the in the second round of the , where he played through the 2019 season, then appeared in three games for the and joined the practice squad of the in 2020. As of 2025, Quincy continues his professional career as a for the in the United Football League (UFL), providing ongoing inspiration for Marco. The brothers' shared experiences extended to their time at the , where Marco committed in 2016 partly to continue the family tradition established by Quincy, allowing them to train together and support each other's growth in the Gators' program. This familial legacy of athletic excellence, rooted in their father's guidance, has been a key motivator in Marco's pursuit of a professional football career.

Ethnic background

Marco Wilson has a multicultural heritage, with Puerto Rican through his mother and Trinidadian descent on his father's side of the family. Raised in —a community known for its vibrant mix of , Latin American, and African American influences—Wilson grew up in a bilingual household where Spanish was commonly spoken, particularly during family gatherings with his mother's relatives. This environment exposed him to diverse cultural traditions from an early age, such as non-English conversations at dinners, fostering a deep appreciation for his dual heritage. Wilson has publicly expressed pride in his background, noting in a 2022 interview that it provides a "switch-up from people who don't always have a deep heritage," allowing him to experience and share varied cultures. He has honored this identity through the NFL's Heritage Program, wearing helmet decals representing in 2022 and both and in 2023 to celebrate his roots during international diversity initiatives.

References

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