Josh Whyle
Josh Whyle (born September 8, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL).[1][2] Whyle attended La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he played football as a tight end and defensive end before committing to the University of Cincinnati.[3] At Cincinnati from 2018 to 2022, he emerged as one of the top tight ends in college football, recording 88 receptions for 1,062 yards and 15 touchdowns over his career, earning All-American Athletic Conference honors twice.[4] His standout senior season in 2022 featured 32 receptions for 326 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Bearcats to a 9-4 record.[5] Selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round (147th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft, Whyle began his professional career as a rotational tight end and special teams contributor.[6] Over two seasons with the Titans (2023–2024), he appeared in 28 games with seven starts, amassing 37 receptions for 342 yards and two touchdowns, including his first NFL touchdown, a 2-yard reception against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023.[7] After being waived by Tennessee following the 2025 preseason, Whyle signed with the Green Bay Packers' practice squad on August 28, 2025, and was elevated to the active roster on November 8, 2025, to provide depth following tight end Tucker Kraft's season-ending ACL injury. In his first two games with the Packers through November 16, 2025, he recorded one reception for two yards and a touchdown.[6][8] Standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 248 pounds, Whyle is noted for his size, reliable hands, and blocking ability in both run and pass protection.[2]Early life
Childhood and family
Josh Whyle was born on September 8, 1999, in Cincinnati, Ohio.[9] He grew up in the city, where his family played a key role in shaping his early development.[10] Whyle's parents encouraged him to explore a wide range of activities to foster versatility and well-rounded growth.[10] These included gymnastics for physical coordination, participation in a men's choir for musical and performative skills, and learning to play the recorder as an introduction to instrumental music.[10] Athletically, he engaged in basketball, baseball, and football, balancing team sports with individual challenges that honed his discipline and adaptability.[10] This diverse exposure contributed to an eclectic childhood that emphasized broad experiences beyond athletics alone.[10] As he entered high school, Whyle shifted his focus to football and basketball, narrowing his pursuits from the broader array of earlier activities.[10] He ultimately selected football as his primary sport, recognizing it as his true passion and path forward.[10]High school career
Josh Whyle attended La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he played football as a tight end for the Lancers.[11] As a junior in 2016, Whyle earned first-team Greater Catholic League South honors after recording 40 receptions for 546 yards and six touchdowns, helping lead La Salle to a strong season. In his senior year of 2017, he led the team with 37 receptions for 442 yards and three touchdowns, ranking fourth in the GCL South in receiving yards despite the Lancers' 7-4 record.[12] Whyle was evaluated as a three-star recruit in the 2018 class, rated as the second-best tight end prospect in Ohio and among the top-14 overall players in the state, as well as a top-10 national tight end by multiple services.[11][13] He committed to the University of Cincinnati on April 6, 2017, as part of their 2018 recruiting class, choosing the Bearcats over offers from programs including Auburn, Georgia, and Indiana.College career
University of Cincinnati
Whyle joined the University of Cincinnati Bearcats in 2018 as a highly touted local recruit and redshirted that season while appearing in four games, primarily on special teams, to preserve a year of eligibility.[14] As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Whyle saw limited offensive action but recorded two receptions for 51 yards across 12 games, earning AAC All-Academic Team honors for his performance in the classroom.[14][15] Whyle broke out in his sophomore season of 2020, catching 28 passes for 353 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games, which led the team in receiving touchdowns and earned him Second-Team All-AAC honors along with Third-Team All-America recognition from Pro Football Focus.[14][15][4] He continued his development as a junior in 2021, hauling in 26 receptions for 332 yards and another six touchdowns over 14 games with eight starts, securing All-AAC Honorable Mention accolades and contributing significantly to the Bearcats' College Football Playoff appearance.[14][4] In his senior year of 2022, Whyle started 10 of 12 games as a team captain, recording 32 catches for 326 yards and three touchdowns while earning First-Team All-AAC honors and breaking the program record for career touchdown receptions by a tight end with 15.[14][4][10] Over five seasons from 2018 to 2022, Whyle appeared in 52 games with 20 starts, establishing himself as a versatile tight end who excelled in blocking, route-running, and red-zone production within the Bearcats' pro-style offense.[16][14]College statistics
During his college career at the University of Cincinnati, Josh Whyle recorded career totals of 88 receptions for 1,062 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over 52 games played.[4] The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of his receiving statistics:| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns | Yards per Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 12 | 2 | 51 | 0 | 25.5 |
| 2020 | 10 | 28 | 353 | 6 | 12.6 |
| 2021 | 14 | 26 | 332 | 6 | 12.8 |
| 2022 | 12 | 32 | 326 | 3 | 10.2 |
| Career | 52 | 88 | 1,062 | 15 | 12.1 |