Zakee Kai Wheatley[1] (born February 28, 2002)[2] is an American professional football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft.
 Wheatley in 2025 | |
| No. 38 – Carolina Panthers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Safety |
| Roster status | Active |
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 28, 2002 Crofton, Maryland, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 203 lb (92 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Maryland) |
| College | Penn State (2021–2025) |
| NFL draft | 2026: 5th round, 151st overall pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
editWheatley attended Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland. Playing both wide receiver and safety, he recorded five interceptions, seven pass breakups and 30 tackles on defense, while hauling in 56 receptions for 810 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior.[3] A four-star recruit, Wheatley committed to play college football at Pennsylvania State University, over offers from Boston College, Michigan State, and Virginia.[4][5]
College career
editIn 2021, Wheatley played sparingly in four games, earning a redshirt.[6][7] Against Auburn the following season, he recorded his first career interception.[8] In 2022, his production increased, as he totaled 27 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.[9] In 2024, Wheatley's role increased after an injury to Kevin Winston Jr..[10] At the conclusion of the regular season, he announced that he would return the following season, rather than enter the 2025 NFL draft, after totaling 77 total tackles, four pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss and one interception through 14 games.[11] In the 2024 Fiesta Bowl, Wheatley was named the game's defensive MVP after recording an interception and a fumble recovery, helping lead Penn State to a 31–14 victory.[12]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3+1⁄8 in (1.91 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | 31 in (0.79 m) | 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | 6 ft 4+3⁄8 in (1.94 m) | 4.65 s | 1.64 s | 2.56 s | 4.11 s | 6.98 s | 33.0 in (0.84 m) | 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) | |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[13][14] | ||||||||||||
Wheatley was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round with the 151st overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft.[15]
References
edit- ↑ "Zakee Wheatley". Pennsylvania State University Athletics. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Zakee Wheatley Safety Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report". www.nfldraftbuzz.com. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
- ↑ Andrews, Kyle J. (March 31, 2020). "Spalding receiver Zakee Wheatley considers college offers, stays focused on title in fall". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ "Archbishop Spalding wide receiver, 4-star recruit Zakee Wheatley commits to Penn State". Capital Gazette. April 10, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ Upadhyaya, Parth. "Months away from his dream, incoming Penn State freshman Zakee Wheatley stays focused on goals". Centre Daily Times.
- ↑ Flounders, Bob (May 25, 2022). "Young Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley is making a strong push for a large role on the Lions' 2022 defense". The Progress. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ Sauber, Jon. "As he starts his 2nd year with Penn State football, is Zakee Wheatley the next breakout star?". Centre Daily Times.
- ↑ "Young safeties Zakee Wheatley, Jaylen Reed bring playmaking ability to No. 14 Penn State's secondary". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ Flounders, Bob (January 26, 2023). "Potential 2023 breakouts: Penn State's Zakee Wheatley is building a reputation as a ballhawk". pennlive. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ Alenstein, Lyle (October 8, 2024). "Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley hasn't missed a beat in light of Kevin Winston Jr.'s injury". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ Boley, Austin (December 24, 2024). "Penn State football's Zakee Wheatley returning in 2025". WGAL. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ Ralph, Max (January 1, 2025). "Penn State's Tyler Warren, Zakee Wheatley take home Fiesta Bowl Player of the Game honors". pennlive. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ "Zakee Wheatley Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Zakee Wheatley College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ↑ Gantt, Darin; Hill, Kassidy (April 25, 2026). "Panthers trade up to No. 151 to take safety Zakee Wheatley". Panthers.com. Retrieved April 27, 2026.