William Hernandez Bio
William Hernandez is an American professional football offensive lineman who currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League. Born on September 2, 1995, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hernandez has built a reputation as a durable and reliable presence on the offensive line throughout his professional career. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 332 pounds, he has proven capable at both guard positions and has also played center during his time in the NFL.
Hernandez was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 34th overall pick. He made an immediate impact during his rookie season, starting all 16 games at left guard and earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. After four seasons with the Giants, he joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and has continued to be a key contributor along Arizona’s offensive front.
Early Life and Background
William Hernandez was born to a Mexican family in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he grew up with strong connections to his heritage. His parents, originally from Mexico City, have influenced his identity both on and off the field. Hernandez attended Chaparral High School in Paradise, Nevada, where he quickly established himself as a versatile athlete, lettering for four years and starting for three seasons on the varsity football team.
Interestingly, Hernandez briefly stepped away from football after his freshman year of high school. During that time, he worked as a manager for his father’s construction company. His head coach recognized his exceptional potential and convinced him to return to the team before his junior year. This decision proved pivotal, as Hernandez developed into one of the top offensive linemen in the state.
As a senior at Chaparral High School, Hernandez was named an all-Nevada offensive lineman and earned all-conference honors as a defensive end. He started every game at right guard and recorded 42 tackles, eight sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries on the defensive side of the ball. Beyond football, Hernandez excelled in multiple sports, lettering in track and field, powerlifting, wrestling, and soccer.
Path to Professional Football
Despite his standout high school career, Hernandez entered college as a zero-star recruit, attracting very little attention from major programs. He received walk-on offers from Nevada, UNLV, and Wyoming, but ultimately accepted a scholarship from the University of Texas at El Paso. UTEP was the only program to offer him a full scholarship, and this opportunity became the foundation for his professional career.
Hernandez redshirted his first year at UTEP in 2013 but immediately earned a starting position as a redshirt freshman in 2014. From that point forward, he started every game for the Miners, appearing in 49 consecutive games from 2014 to 2017. His consistency and dominance at the collegiate level quickly became evident as he anchored an offensive line that faced challenging circumstances.
Prior to his senior season in 2017, Hernandez was recognized as a second-team All-American following his strong performance in 2016. Although the Miners struggled with an 0-12 record during the 2017 season and ranked last in the FBS, Hernandez was named to the All-Conference USA offensive line and was widely regarded as the “sole bright spot on a very dismal season.” He also participated in the College Football All-Star Challenge and the NFL Combine, showcasing his talents against top prospects from across the country.
William Hernandez Career
New York Giants (2018–2021)
The New York Giants selected William Hernandez in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 34th overall pick, making him the second guard selected in that draft class behind only Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame. On May 12, 2018, Hernandez signed a four-year contract worth $7.45 million, with $5.08 million guaranteed and a $3.49 million signing bonus. The Giants immediately inserted him into their starting lineup at left guard.
Hernandez earned the starting left guard position entering his rookie season and started all 16 games for the Giants. His strong play throughout the season earned him recognition on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team, validating the team’s investment in him as a second-round selection. He continued to be a reliable presence along the offensive line during his first three seasons with the team.
During the 2020 season, Hernandez faced an unexpected challenge when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on October 29 after testing positive for the virus. He returned to the active roster on November 10 but found himself in a backup role for the remainder of the season, losing the starting left guard position to rookie Shane Lemieux. This setback, however, did not diminish his value to the organization as he continued to provide depth and versatility along the offensive line.
Arizona Cardinals (2022–Present)
On March 28, 2022, Hernandez joined the Arizona Cardinals, signing a one-year contract with the team. He immediately competed for and earned a starting position, serving as the team’s right guard. During Week 4 of the 2022 season against the Carolina Panthers, Hernandez was ejected from the game for making contact with an official in the fourth quarter. He later suffered a pectoral injury that landed him on injured reserve on November 9, though he was activated on December 17 of that same year.
The Cardinals recognized Hernandez’s importance to their offensive line, signing him to a two-year contract extension on March 15, 2023. The deal was worth up to $9 million with $4.5 million fully guaranteed. He maintained his starting right guard job throughout the 2023 season, starting every game and continuing his streak of reliability that had characterized his professional career.
In 2024, Hernandez returned as a starter, opening the season as Arizona’s left guard. He started each of the team’s first five games before suffering a knee injury in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. The injury proved season-ending, and he was placed on injured reserve on October 7, 2024. Despite the setback, the Cardinals continued to value his presence, re-signing him on August 7, 2025. He returned to action in Week 5 as the starting left guard and started the next six games at right guard before being placed on injured reserve again on November 29 with hip and knee injuries.
Playing Style and Strengths
William Hernandez is known for his versatility and durability along the offensive line. Capable of playing both guard positions as well as center, he provides valuable flexibility for his team’s lineup. His experience starting 98 of 104 career games demonstrates his reliability and ability to stay on the field. Hernandez’s background as a dominant force at UTEP, where he started 49 consecutive games, translated well to the NFL, where he has continued to be a consistent performer at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hernandez’s rookie season stands out as a significant milestone in his career. Being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team after starting all 16 games for the Giants established him as one of the top young offensive linemen in the league. His selection as the second guard taken in the 2018 NFL Draft, behind only Quenton Nelson, further highlighted the high regard teams had for his abilities coming out of college.
William Hernandez Career Highlights
Throughout his career, William Hernandez has accumulated numerous accolades at both the collegiate and professional levels. His consistent performance and durability have made him a valuable asset for every team he has played for throughout his NFL journey.
Professional Achievements
At the professional level, Hernandez was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team in 2018 after starting all 16 games for the New York Giants as a rookie. This achievement marked an impressive start to his NFL career and set the standard for his subsequent performance. As of the 2025 season, he has played in 104 career games with 98 starts across his time with the Giants and Cardinals.
College Honors
Prior to his professional career, Hernandez earned recognition as a second-team All-American following his 2016 season at UTEP. He was also named to the All-Conference USA offensive line team during his senior season in 2017, despite the Miners’ difficult 0-12 campaign. His 49 consecutive starts at UTEP demonstrated the reliability and consistency that would define his professional career.
William Hernandez Family and Personal Life
Family Background
William Hernandez comes from a Mexican family with deep roots in Mexico City. His parents’ heritage has played an important role in shaping his identity, and he maintains strong connections to his cultural background. Hernandez has actively worked to promote American football internationally, holding football camps in Mexico as part of broader efforts to grow the sport abroad among young athletes.
Personal Life
Beyond his athletic career, Hernandez has demonstrated commitment to community engagement through his football camps and youth development initiatives. His journey from a walk-on at UTEP to a second-round NFL Draft pick and All-Rookie Team honoree serves as an inspiring example of perseverance and dedication to the sport he loves.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw William Hernandez continue his career with the Arizona Cardinals after re-signing with the team on August 7. He returned to action in Week 5 as the starting left guard and contributed immediately upon his return to the field. He subsequently started the next six games at right guard, demonstrating his versatility and reliability along the offensive line.
However, the 2025 season ended on a difficult note when Hernandez was placed on injured reserve on November 29 with hip and knee injuries. Despite this setback, his ability to return from previous injuries and maintain his status as a starter reflects his determination and work ethic. The Cardinals’ continued investment in him through contract extensions demonstrates their confidence in his abilities and value to the team moving forward.
Throughout his career spanning from 2018 to 2025, Hernandez has established himself as a durable, versatile, and reliable offensive lineman. From his humble beginnings as a zero-star recruit at UTEP to becoming a second-round NFL Draft pick and All-Rookie Team honoree, his journey exemplifies the qualities of perseverance and dedication that define successful professional athletes.