Thayer Munford Jr. Bio
Thayer Munford Jr. (born September 18, 1999) is an American professional football offensive tackle who currently plays for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). A former first-team All-American at Ohio State University, Munford was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. He has also played for the Cleveland Browns during his professional career. Munford has appeared in 48 NFL games with 18 starts across his time with the Raiders, Patriots, and Browns.
Early Life and Background
Thayer Munford Jr. was born on September 18, 1999, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He began his high school career at La Salle High School in Cincinnati before transferring to Massillon Washington High School prior to his senior year. The move brought him under the guidance of Nate Moore, his former coach at La Salle who had become Massillon Washington’s head coach. Moore and his wife took legal custody of Munford shortly before his senior year.
The transition proved controversial when the Ohio High School Athletic Association initially ruled Munford ineligible, determining that his transfer violated the organization’s recruiting rules. The ruling was later reversed, allowing Munford to become eligible for the final three games of his senior season. Munford was rated as a four-star recruit and chose to continue his football career at Ohio State University, selecting the Buckeyes over offers from Kentucky, Iowa, and Pittsburgh.
Path to American Football
Munford joined the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2017 and redshirted his freshman season while playing as a reserve offensive lineman. He earned a starting role going into his sophomore campaign and opened the first 13 games of the season at offensive tackle before suffering a back injury that ended his year. His performance that season laid the foundation for his development as a dominant collegiate lineman.
As a junior in 2019, Munford started all of Ohio State’s games and earned second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. His senior season in 2020 saw him continue his strong play during the COVID-19-shortened campaign, earning first-team All-Big Ten recognition after starting all seven games. Following the season, Munford considered entering the 2021 NFL Draft but decided to utilize his additional year of eligibility granted due to the pandemic and return to Columbus for one more year.
Thayer Munford Jr. Career
Ohio State Buckeyes (2017–2021)
Prior to his fifth and final collegiate season in 2021, Munford was moved from his natural tackle position to left guard to provide flexibility for the coaching staff. He excelled in the new role and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive year while also receiving first-team All-American recognition from the American Football Coaches Association. His versatility along the offensive line became a defining characteristic of his game.
For the 2022 Rose Bowl, his final game at Ohio State, Munford was moved back to the tackle position after Nicholas Petit-Frere opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. His ability to play multiple positions effectively made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams seeking offensive line depth.
Las Vegas Raiders (2022–2024)
Munford was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 238th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games and earned four starts, demonstrating his readiness for professional competition. His positional flexibility allowed the Raiders to use him at multiple spots along the offensive line during his debut season.
In the 2023 season, Munford saw increased playing time, appearing in 15 games and earning ten starts. His development as a consistent performer in the NFL earned him a expanded role within the Raiders’ offensive line rotation. He remained with the team through the 2024 season before being released on August 27, 2025.
Cleveland Browns (2025)
On September 24, 2025, Munford was signed by the Cleveland Browns from the New England Patriots practice squad. He appeared in games for the Browns during the 2025 season before being waived on October 13. Munford was re-signed to the Browns’ practice squad two days later, maintaining his connection to the team while continuing to develop his skills.
New England Patriots (2025–Present)
Munford joined the New England Patriots organization when he was signed to the practice squad on August 29, 2025, shortly after being released by the Raiders. His tenure with the Patriots continued to evolve when he was signed to the active roster from the Browns’ practice squad on November 25, 2025. This marked his return to New England and provided him with an opportunity to contribute to the Patriots’ offensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Munford is known for his versatility along the offensive line, having played both tackle and guard positions at the professional level. His ability to adapt to different blocking schemes and positions has made him a valuable asset for multiple teams. He brings a physical presence to the line of scrimmage with solid footwork and the technique developed through his extensive experience at Ohio State and in the NFL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Munford’s career highlights are his first-team All-American selection in 2021 and his two first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. His journey from high school controversy to collegiate stardom and eventual NFL selection demonstrates his resilience and determination. Reaching the NFL while overcoming early adversity and establishing himself as a reliable professional player represents significant milestones in his career.
Thayer Munford Jr. Career Wins
Across his collegiate and professional career, Munford has accumulated numerous accolades and achievements that highlight his consistency and excellence at the offensive tackle position.
College Highlights
Munford’s college career at Ohio State was distinguished by progressive improvement and increasing recognition. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a junior before elevating to first-team All-Big Ten status in both his senior season and his fifth-year campaign in 2021. His first-team All-American selection in 2021 represented the pinnacle of his collegiate achievements. Throughout his five seasons at Ohio State, Munford started numerous games and established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the Big Ten Conference.
Professional Statistics
Through Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season, Munford has appeared in 48 professional games with 18 starts across his time with the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns. His experience spanning multiple teams has provided him with diverse exposure to different offensive schemes and coaching philosophies.
| Team | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders (2022–2024) | 32 | 14 |
| New England Patriots (2025) | Multiple | Multiple |
| Cleveland Browns (2025) | Multiple | Multiple |
Thayer Munford Jr. Family
Family Background and Personal Life
During his high school years, Thayer Munford Jr. lived with Nate Moore, his former coach at La Salle High School who had become the head coach at Massillon Washington High School, and Moore’s wife, who took legal custody of Munford shortly before his senior year. This guardianship provided Munford with stability and support during an important period of his development as both a student and athlete.
Beyond his football career, Munford maintains a public profile through his Instagram account, where he connects with fans. He completed his collegiate education at Ohio State University and has focused on building his professional football career since entering the NFL in 2022.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked a transitional year for Munford, who moved between three different organizations. Beginning the season with the Las Vegas Raiders, he was released in late August before joining the New England Patriots practice squad. A brief stint with the Cleveland Browns followed, during which he was signed to the active roster and later returned to the practice squad before ultimately being recalled to New England’s active roster in late November.
This pattern of movement demonstrated Munford’s value as a versatile offensive lineman capable of stepping into different systems. His ability to quickly adapt to new teams and contribute in various roles has kept him employed across multiple organizations throughout the season.
Looking ahead, Munford continues to work toward establishing himself as a consistent starter in the NFL. His positional flexibility remains his strongest asset, and his experience playing both guard and tackle provides options for whatever team employs him going forward.