Eric André Wilson Bio
Eric André Wilson is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 26, 1994, in Redford, Michigan, Wilson has built a reputation as a versatile and reliable defender during his NFL career. After playing college football at Northwestern University and the University of Cincinnati, Wilson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. Throughout his career, Wilson has demonstrated his ability to make plays across the field, recording 515 career tackles, 17.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions through the 2024 season.
Early Life and Background
Wilson grew up in Redford, Michigan, where he attended Lee M. Thurston High School. During his senior year, he recorded 64 tackles and 4 sacks while playing multiple positions including safety, linebacker, and wide receiver. His exceptional performance earned him All-State, All-Conference, All-Metro, and Team MVP honors. Wilson also excelled in track and field, lettering four years in the sport and becoming a State Champion in the long jump. He lettered three years in football and one year in basketball during his high school career.
Path to the NFL
Wilson began his college football career at Northwestern University in 2012, redshirting his freshman season with the Wildcats. He transferred to the University of Cincinnati in 2013, where he played for the Bearcats from 2013 to 2016. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he sat out the 2013 season before becoming a key contributor on defense. Over his four seasons at Cincinnati, Wilson appeared in 38 games with 24 starts. His standout performances earned him Second-team All-American Athletic Conference recognition in 2015 and First-team All-AAC honors in 2016. He graduated from Cincinnati in December 2016 with a degree in sports management.
Entering the 2017 NFL Draft, Wilson was rated as the 21st best outside linebacker by NFLDraftScout.com, with projections suggesting he would be selected in the fifth to seventh round. Despite not being drafted, Wilson’s college credentials and athletic profile attracted attention from NFL teams.
Eric André Wilson Career
Minnesota Vikings First Stint (2017–2020)
Wilson signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2017. He worked to establish himself as a valuable piece in the Vikings’ defense during his first seasons. His first career sack came in Week 11 of the 2018 season when he brought down Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky during a 25–20 loss. The following season, Wilson showed continued development with a two-sack performance against Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in Week 3 of 2019.
On March 16, 2020, the Vikings placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Wilson, reflecting the team’s confidence in his abilities. He signed his one-year contract on May 8, 2020. That season proved to be his most productive, as Wilson recorded his first career interception in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, picking off a pass from Philip Rivers. In a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson recorded a sack and an interception of Russell Wilson in the same game during a narrow 27–26 loss. He also sealed a 28–22 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 by recovering a fumble forced by teammate D.J. Wonnum on Aaron Rodgers late in the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia Eagles (2021)
On April 14, 2021, Wilson signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was named the starting middle linebacker alongside T.J. Edwards, taking on a significant role in the Eagles’ defense. Wilson started two of the seven games he played before being released on November 3, 2021.
Houston Texans (2021)
Following his release from Philadelphia, Wilson was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans on November 4, 2021. He finished the 2021 season with the Texans, continuing to gain experience in different defensive systems.
New Orleans Saints (2022)
On May 16, 2022, Wilson signed with the New Orleans Saints. He was released during final roster cuts on August 30 but was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. Wilson remained on the Saints’ practice squad until joining another team mid-season.
Green Bay Packers (2022–2024)
On October 4, 2022, Wilson was signed by the Green Bay Packers off the Saints’ practice squad. He quickly made an impact with the Packers, blocking a punt by Braden Mann during a Week 6 loss to the New York Jets. His versatility and playmaking ability became valuable assets for Green Bay’s defense. Wilson re-signed with the Packers on March 25, 2023. During the 2024 NFL playoffs, he recovered a fumble against the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round. In Week 3 of the 2024 season against the Indianapolis Colts, Wilson recorded a near-perfect Pro Football Focus grade of 99.4, recording a forced fumble, a tackle for loss, and an interception over just 8 defensive snaps in the Packers’ 16–10 victory. He re-signed with Green Bay on March 23, 2024, before returning to Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings Second Stint (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Wilson returned to the Minnesota Vikings, signing with the team for his second stint. This homecoming brought Wilson back to the organization where he began his professional career and where he had his most productive seasons. His familiarity with the Vikings’ defensive scheme and organizational culture positioned him as an important addition to the linebacker corps.
Playing Style and Strengths
Wilson is known for his versatility as a linebacker, capable of playing multiple positions across the defensive formation. His ability to rush the quarterback and drop into coverage makes him a matchup challenge for opposing offenses. Wilson has demonstrated excellent instincts in reading plays, particularly evidenced by his multiple games with both sacks and interceptions. His tackling efficiency and ability to create turnovers have been consistent throughout his career, with 7 career forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries.
Notable Performances and Milestones
Throughout his career, Wilson has delivered several signature performances. His dual-sack games against both the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers showcased his pass-rushing ability. His unique games against Russell Wilson, recording both a sack and an interception in the same contest, highlighted his all-around skill set. His blocked punt with the Packers and playoff fumble recovery demonstrated his willingness to contribute in critical situations. Wilson’s consistency was further evidenced by his near-perfect PFF grade during the 2024 season.
Eric André Wilson Career Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Wilson has established himself as a productive linebacker with proven playmaking ability across multiple phases of the game.
NFL Career Highlights
Wilson has accumulated 515 career tackles, 17.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions over his NFL career spanning eight seasons. His 17.5 sacks demonstrate his effectiveness as a pass rusher, while his 5 interceptions show his ability to read quarterbacks and make plays in coverage. His 7 forced fumbles rank him among the league leaders among active linebackers in that category, reflecting his ability to create turnovers. Wilson has recorded multiple games with both sacks and interceptions, a rare achievement that underscores his complete skill set as a modern linebacker.
College Career Notes
During his time at Cincinnati, Wilson was recognized as one of the top linebackers in the American Athletic Conference. His First-team All-AAC selection in 2016 came after a standout senior season in which he anchored the Bearcats defense. His 38 career games and 24 starts provided a solid foundation for his transition to the professional level.
| Competition Level | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season | 515 | 17.5 | 5 |
Eric André Wilson Family
Family Background
Wilson was born and raised in Redford, Michigan. His athletic background includes success in multiple sports, with his high school career featuring accomplishments in football, track and field, and basketball. His multi-sport athlete background contributed to his development as a well-rounded football player.
Personal Life
Wilson graduated from the University of Cincinnati in December 2016 with a degree in sports management. He maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. Wilson has remained connected to his Michigan roots throughout his professional career, having played high school football in the state before heading to college.
2025 Season Performance
Returning to the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 marks a new chapter in Wilson’s career. After three seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Wilson brings experience and versatility to a Vikings defense looking to rebuild its linebacker corps. His previous success with the Vikings from 2017 to 2020 provides a foundation of trust with the coaching staff and familiarity with the defensive system. Wilson’s ability to contribute both as a pass rusher and in coverage gives the Vikings defensive coordinator flexibility in how they deploy him. His track record of creating turnovers, including 7 career forced fumbles and 5 interceptions, adds a playmaking element that the Vikings defense has sought. As Wilson enters the 2025 season, he projects as a valuable veteran presence in the linebacker room while continuing to showcase the athleticism and football IQ that have defined his career.