Kadeem Welfort Bio
Kadeem Wysler Joseph Telfort is an American professional football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. Born on November 10, 1998, in Miami, Florida, Telfort attended the University of Florida and later transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he developed into one of the top offensive linemen in Conference USA. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Telfort signed with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent and appeared in 16 games over two seasons. He joined the Miami Dolphins in September 2025 and continues his development as a professional offensive tackle in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Telfort grew up in Miami, Florida, and attended high school at Booker T. Washington Senior High School in Miami. During his high school career, he established himself as a highly decorated football player and emerged as one of the most sought-after offensive line prospects in the country. He earned a four-star recruit rating, reflecting his status among the top prospects nationally at his position.
Telfort initially committed to play college football at the University of Miami during his sophomore year of high school, aligning with his Florida roots and local football culture. However, he later reconsidered his college decision and ultimately chose to commit to the University of Florida instead, giving him the opportunity to compete in the Southeastern Conference and develop his skills at one of the nation’s premier football programs.
Path to Professional Football
Telfort began his collegiate journey at the University of Florida in 2017, joining the Gators as a freshman. However, his first year with the program was marked by challenges, as he was suspended and spent time away from the team during his true freshman season. This difficult start prompted Telfort to reassess his path and ultimately led him to explore other options to continue his football career.
Following his departure from Florida, Telfort transferred to Garden City Community College in Kansas for the 2018 season. At the junior college level, he immediately demonstrated his ability, playing and starting six games while showcasing the skills that made him a highly rated high school prospect. His performance at Garden City helped rebuild his confidence and provided him with additional development opportunities.
For the 2019 season, Telfort moved to Highland Community College in Illinois. Unfortunately, he was forced to sit out the entire season due to transfer rules within the conference, which prevented him from competing. Despite not playing, this year allowed him to refine his technique and prepare for his eventual return to competition at the four-year college level.
Kadeem Welfort Career
College Career at UAB
Telfort transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to continue his collegiate football career. He joined the Blazers program and quickly became a cornerstone of their offensive line. During the 2020 season, he appeared in all six games and earned four starts, making an immediate impact in his first year with the program. His blocking helped the team rushing attack accumulate 1,800 yards with an average of 200 yards per game.
In the 2021 season, Telfort elevated his game to a new level. He started all 13 games on the offensive line, providing consistency and leadership for the Blazers. His performance was instrumental in helping UAB’s running backs rush for 2,737 yards that season, as the team relied heavily on his abilities at the tackle position. This breakthrough campaign established Telfort as one of the top offensive linemen in Conference USA.
All-Conference USA Recognition
The 2022 season represented the pinnacle of Telfort’s collegiate career. He appeared in 12 games and started 11 of them at left tackle, anchoring what became the top offensive line unit in Conference USA. His dominance in the running game was evident as the Blazers averaged 235.3 rushing yards per game and rushed for over 215 yards in 10 of their 13 contests. Telfort’s exceptional performance throughout the season earned him first-team All-Conference USA honors, validating his journey through the junior college ranks and his development into an elite collegiate player.
Green Bay Packers
Despite his collegiate success, Telfort went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was selected seventh overall by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2023 USFL Draft, indicating that professional scouts recognized his talent even without an NFL draft selection. On May 1, 2023, Telfort signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent, fulfilling his dream of joining an NFL roster.
Telfort’s rookie season with the Packers was a learning experience as he adapted to the speed and complexity of professional football. He spent time on both the active roster and the practice squad during his first year, gaining valuable experience in the NFL system. The Packers signed him to a reserve future contract in January 2024, demonstrating the team’s belief in his long-term potential.
Throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Telfort appeared in a total of 16 games with the Packers, though he did not record any starts. This experience provided him with essential NFL-level coaching, game repetitions, and development opportunities that would serve him well in his continued professional career.
Miami Dolphins
In March 2025, the Packers re-signed Telfort, indicating continued interest in his development. However, he was released during the team’s final roster cuts in August 2025 as part of the league’s regular season roster reduction process. Following his release, Telfort remained patient and continued his professional journey.
On September 23, 2025, Telfort signed with the Miami Dolphins practice squad, returning to his hometown of Miami and joining the franchise representing his home city. This opportunity allowed him to work with a new coaching staff and continue developing his skills in the NFL environment. The Dolphins, competing in the competitive AFC East division, provide Telfort with an opportunity to showcase his abilities while representing the city where he grew up.
Driving Style and Strengths
Telfort possesses the prototypical size for an NFL offensive tackle at 6 feet 7 inches and 322 pounds. His length and frame make him well-suited for the position, allowing him to engulf defenders in pass protection and create running lanes in the ground game. Throughout his college career, he demonstrated versatility by playing both left and right tackle, giving him positional flexibility that NFL teams value. His experience in UAB’s run-heavy offense provided him with extensive reps in outside zone schemes and gap schemes, making him comfortable in various offensive systems. Telfort’s college success, particularly his All-Conference USA performance, shows his ability to compete at a high level against quality competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Telfort’s career has been defined by resilience and perseverance. His journey included multiple transfers, a junior college stint, and being undrafted before eventually reaching the NFL. Making the Packers roster as an undrafted free agent and appearing in 16 NFL games represents a significant achievement in his development. His signing with his hometown Dolphins in 2025 marks a new chapter in his professional career, bringing him full circle from his Miami roots to playing for the team representing his community.
Kadeem Welfort Career Wins
Throughout his football career, Telfort has accumulated significant achievements at the collegiate level before establishing himself as a professional player in the NFL. His success has come through consistent performance and steady improvement throughout his journey from high school through professional football.
College Highlights
At UAB, Telfort’s most notable accomplishment came during the 2022 season when he earned first-team All-Conference USA honors. This recognition placed him among the top offensive linemen in the entire conference and validated his development path following his time in junior college. Over his three seasons with the Blazers, he appeared in 31 games and started 28, providing reliability and consistency at the left tackle position. His blocking contributed to UAB’s offense ranking among the conference leaders in rushing yards during his tenure.
Professional Career
In the NFL, Telfort appeared in 16 games with the Green Bay Packers during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. While he did not record any starts during those appearances, his ability to remain on an NFL roster for two seasons demonstrates his value as a developmental player and special teams contributor. His continued presence in the league through his Dolphins practice squad signing in 2025 shows his determination to carve out a lasting professional career.
Family
Telfort’s personal background reflects his Miami upbringing and his status as a hometown product pursuing professional football. As information about his family remains private and not publicly available, his focus remains on his football career and professional development.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a new beginning for Telfort as he joined the Miami Dolphins practice squad in September. After spending two seasons with the Green Bay Packers where he appeared in 16 games, Telfort returned to his hometown to continue his NFL career with the franchise representing Miami. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a player who has spent multiple seasons on NFL rosters reflects his persistence and dedication to his craft. Playing for the Dolphins gives Telfort the opportunity to develop under a new coaching staff while competing for a more prominent role on the offensive line. As he works to elevate his game with his hometown team, Telfort aims to secure a consistent spot on an NFL roster and contribute to the Dolphins’ success in the AFC East.