Blake Whiteheart (born March 22, 2000) is an American professional football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals after the 2023 NFL draft. Whiteheart has spent his early NFL career developing as a rotational tight end, demonstrating his ability to contribute in both the passing game and as a blocking option. He is continuing his professional football journey with the Cleveland Browns organization, working to establish himself as a reliable contributor at the tight end position.
Blake Whiteheart Bio
Blake Whiteheart is a professional football player who has built his career through determination and consistent performance at the tight end position. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Whiteheart developed his football skills locally before embarking on a collegiate career at Wake Forest University. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 250 pounds, he possesses the physical stature desirable for an NFL tight end. His journey from a high school prospect in North Carolina to an NFL player reflects his dedication to the sport and his ability to compete at the highest level of American football.
Early Life and Background
Blake Whiteheart grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he attended Mount Tabor High School. During his senior season at Mount Tabor, Whiteheart established himself as a capable receiving threat, catching 24 passes for 389 yards and scoring four touchdowns. His performance as a high school senior demonstrated his potential as a pass-catcher at the collegiate level. Whiteheart’s combination of size and receiving ability made him an attractive prospect for college programs seeking tight ends who could contribute immediately in their passing offenses.
Following his standout senior season, Whiteheart received multiple scholarship offers from colleges across the region. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at Wake Forest University, selecting the Demon Deacons over offers from Appalachian State, Southern Miss, and Old Dominion. The decision to join Wake Forest provided Whiteheart with the opportunity to develop his skills in a program known for developing NFL-caliber talent at the offensive skill positions.
Path to American Football
Whiteheart began his collegiate career at Wake Forest in 2018, joining a program with a strong tradition of producing competitive football players. He redshirted his true freshman season, a common path for young players adapting to the speed and complexity of college football. This redshirt year allowed Whiteheart to adjust to the collegiate level, learn the Demon Deacons’ offensive schemes, and build the physical foundation necessary for success in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Throughout his time at Wake Forest from 2018 to 2022, Whiteheart developed into a reliable contributor within the Demon Deacons’ offense. His progression from a young player learning the system to a dependable senior contributor reflected his commitment to improvement and his football intelligence. By his final season with the program, Whiteheart had become a consistent target in the passing game, showcasing the skills that would eventually earn him an opportunity in the NFL.
Blake Whiteheart Career
Early Career (2023)
Despite not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Blake Whiteheart attracted enough interest from NFL teams to sign as an undrafted free agent. On May 1, 2023, the Arizona Cardinals signed Whiteheart to a contract, providing him with his first opportunity at the professional level. The Cardinals recognized his potential as a developmental tight end with the size and receiving skills to contribute at the NFL level. Whiteheart joined the Cardinals’ offseason program and training camp with an opportunity to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Whiteheart’s rookie season with the Cardinals involved significant roster movement as he worked to establish himself in the NFL. On August 29, 2023, the Cardinals announced that Whiteheart had made their initial 53-man roster, a significant achievement for an undrafted rookie. However, he was waived just one day later, a common occurrence in the NFL as teams finalize their rosters. Whiteheart was re-signed to the practice squad following his waiver, keeping his NFL dreams alive and providing him with the opportunity to continue developing within the Cardinals’ organization.
Arizona Cardinals to Cleveland Browns (2023–2025)
Whiteheart continued his development with the Cardinals throughout the remainder of the 2023 season. His persistence and performance in practice earned him a promotion to the active roster on October 24, 2023, where he had the opportunity to contribute in regular season games. This promotion represented a significant milestone in his young career, validating the work he had put in since signing as an undrafted free agent. Whiteheart appeared in games during his rookie season, gaining invaluable experience at the professional level.
The 2024 season brought continued roster movement for Whiteheart. On August 27, 2024, the Cardinals waived Whiteheart, ending his tenure with the organization that had given him his initial NFL opportunity. Rather than pursuing opportunities elsewhere, Whiteheart quickly found a new home. On August 29, 2024, he was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad, joining an AFC North franchise with aspirations of playoff contention. This move allowed Whiteheart to continue his NFL career with a new organization while maintaining his developmental trajectory.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024–Present)
Whiteheart’s time with the Browns began on their practice squad, mirroring his early NFL experience with the Cardinals. He was promoted to the Browns’ active roster on September 21, 2024, earning an opportunity to contribute to the team’s offense. Whiteheart appeared in games during the 2024 season, continuing to develop his craft and demonstrate his abilities in live game situations. The Browns’ organization provided Whiteheart with a stable environment to pursue his goals as a professional football player.
Following additional roster transactions that included a brief waiver period and practice squad stint, Whiteheart was promoted back to the Browns’ active roster on November 30, 2024. On April 8, 2025, Whiteheart signed a tendered contract with the Browns, securing his place with the organization for the foreseeable future. This contract represented a significant achievement for the undrafted player from Wake Forest, demonstrating that his persistence and development had earned him a defined role within an NFL franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a tight end, Blake Whiteheart brings a combination of size and receiving ability that NFL teams value in the modern passing game. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 250 pounds, he presents a large target for quarterbacks in the passing game while also offering the physicality necessary for blocking assignments. His collegiate career at Wake Forest showcased his ability to make contested catches and find openings in coverage, skills that translate directly to success at the professional level. Whiteheart’s experience in a competitive college conference prepared him for the challenges of defending NFL caliber athletes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Whiteheart’s professional career has been marked by significant milestones that reflect his determination to succeed at the NFL level. From signing as an undrafted free agent in May 2023 to earning multiple promotions to active rosters, he has demonstrated the persistence necessary to carve out an NFL career. His first regular season NFL receptions and touchdowns represent the culmination of years of development from high school in Winston-Salem through his collegiate career at Wake Forest. Each step of his journey has required him to prove himself against established players, and his continued presence in the NFL reflects his competitive nature.
Blake Whiteheart Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career spanning the 2023 through 2025 seasons, Blake Whiteheart has accumulated statistical contributions that reflect his role as a rotational tight end. His career statistics demonstrate his ability to contribute as a receiving target when given opportunities. Whiteheart has appeared in regular season games with both the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns organizations, gaining valuable experience at the professional level.
NFL Highlights
Whiteheart’s NFL career statistics as of the 2025 season include 8 receptions for 55 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. These numbers represent his contributions during limited opportunities with the Cardinals and Browns. His first NFL receptions and his initial NFL touchdown represent meaningful milestones in his professional development, achievements that validate the hard work he invested from his high school days in Winston-Salem through his undrafted free agent signing. His most recent contributions came during the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns, where he continued to develop his rapport with quarterbacks and refine his abilities as an NFL tight end.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his NFL statistics, Whiteheart’s career includes the significant achievement of making an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent, a feat accomplished by only a small percentage of players who attempt it annually. His appearances in regular season games represent opportunities that many undrafted players never receive, and his multiple roster promotions throughout his career demonstrate that coaches have recognized his value as a player who can contribute when called upon.
Blake Whiteheart Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Blake Whiteheart was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he grew up and attended Mount Tabor High School. His family background and early environment in the Piedmont region of North Carolina provided the foundation for his development as a football player. While specific details about his parents and family lineage are not publicly available, Whiteheart’s journey from local high school prospect to college football player at Wake Forest to NFL tight end reflects the support and opportunities provided by his family and community throughout his development.
Personal Life
As of available information, Blake Whiteheart has not publicly disclosed information about a spouse or children. At 26 years old as of 2026, Whiteheart continues to focus on his professional football career with the Cleveland Browns. His residence during the NFL season is typically associated with his team location, though specific details about his living situation are not widely reported. Whiteheart’s public presence reflects his focus on football while maintaining appropriate privacy regarding his personal affairs.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents an important chapter in Blake Whiteheart’s professional career with the Cleveland Browns. Signing a tendered contract with the Browns in April 2025 secured his place with the organization and provided him with the opportunity to compete for a more defined role in the team’s tight end rotation. This contract marked a significant step in his progression from undrafted free agent to established NFL player, validating the work he had invested since entering the league in 2023. The Browns’ coaching staff had the opportunity to evaluate Whiteheart during the 2024 season and determined he merited a contract for the 2025 campaign.
Whiteheart’s 2025 season outlook involves building upon his previous NFL experience and demonstrating improved consistency and production. With another year of professional development under his belt, he had the opportunity to refine his route running, improve his chemistry with quarterbacks, and solidify his understanding of the Browns’ offensive system. The physical tools remain in place for Whiteheart to contribute as a receiving tight end, and his focus entering the 2025 season was on translating his practice performance into regular season production when opportunities arose.
The Cleveland Browns organization entered the 2025 season with aspirations of competing in the AFC playoff picture, and Whiteheart’s role within that pursuit involved providing reliable depth at the tight end position while contributing on special teams when called upon. His journey from undrafted free agent to secure roster player reflects the competitive nature of the NFL and the determination required to sustain a professional football career. Whiteheart’s 2025 campaign represented another opportunity to prove that his selection by the Cardinals in 2023 was warranted and that he belongs among the league’s professional football players.