{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Brandon Wilds | image = Brandon Wilds (36236653031).jpg | caption = Wilds with the [[Cleveland Browns]] in 2017 | image_size = | alt = | current_team = | number = 34 | position = [[Running back]] | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|7|22|mf=y}} | birth_place = [[Blythewood, South Carolina]], U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lbs = 220 | high_school = Blythewood | college = [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina]] (2011–2015) | undraftedyear = 2016 | pastteams = * [[Atlanta Falcons]] ({{NFL Year|2016}})* * [[New York Jets]] ({{NFL Year|2016}}) * [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|2017}}) * [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}}) * [[Arizona Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})* * [[San Francisco 49ers]] ({{NFL Year|2019}})* * [[Team 9 (XFL)|Team 9]] ({{XFL Year|2020}})* * [[Tampa Bay Vipers]] ({{XFL Year|2020}}) * [[Calgary Stampeders]] ({{CFL Year|2020}}) | status = | cflstatus = | statlabel1 = [[Rushing yards]] | statvalue1 = 42 | statlabel2 = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]] | statvalue2 = 2 | statlabel3 = [[Receiving yards]] | statvalue3 = 20 | pfr = W/WildBr01 }} '''Brandon Wilds''' (born July 22, 1993) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[running back]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina Gamecocks]] and was signed by the [[Atlanta Falcons]] as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
==Early life== Wilds attended [[Blythewood High School]] in [[Blythewood, South Carolina]], and played [[high school football|football]] under head coach Geremy Saitz.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brandon Wilds, Blythewood, Fullback |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Brandon-Wilds-165/high-school-14395/ |access-date=March 29, 2019 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> Wilds ran for 1,551 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. As a senior, he had 175 rushing attempts for 818 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished his [[high school football]] career with a total of 500 carries for 2,700 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns in 33 games.
He graduated from Blythewood in 2011 and was rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brandon Wilds, 2011 Running Back, South Carolina |url=https://rivals.com/content/athletes/brandon-wilds-19454?view=pv |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Wilds received offers from [[East Carolina University|East Carolina]], [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]], [[University of Maryland|Maryland]], [[University of Illinois|Illinois]], and [[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]].<ref name="scbio">{{Cite web |title=South Carolina Gamecock's Athletics: Brandon Wilds Bio |url=http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brandon_wilds_742769.html |access-date=January 2, 2017 |website=gamecocksonline.com}}</ref>
==College career== Wilds began attending [[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]] in 2011 and entered fall camp as the Gamecock's fifth running back on their depth chart. He became the starter after injuries to [[Marcus Lattimore]], Shon Carson, Kenny Miles, and Eric Baker. He finished his freshman campaign with 107 carries for 486 rushing yards and three touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brandon Wilds 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/brandon-wilds-1/gamelog/2011 |access-date=March 29, 2019 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> As a sophomore in 2012, Wilds was redshirted after suffering a high ankle sprain. He returned the following season, but was held to only seven games and two starts after suffering hamstring and elbow injuries. Wilds finished the 2013 season with 43 rushing attempts for 221 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brandon Wilds 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/brandon-wilds-1/gamelog/2013 |access-date=March 29, 2019 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He returned as a junior in 2014 and played in 12 games, starting four. Wilds was South Carolina's second leading rusher with 570 yards and also finished with 106 carries, four rushing touchdowns, 18 receptions, 143 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brandon Wilds 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/brandon-wilds-1/gamelog/2014 |access-date=March 29, 2019 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> As a senior, he led the Gamecocks with 567 rushing yards as a senior and started in nine games. Wilds missed three games in the 2015 season with bruised ribs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brandon Wilds 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/brandon-wilds-1/gamelog/2015 |access-date=March 29, 2019 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
===College statistics=== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Year ! rowspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | School ! rowspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Conf ! rowspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Class ! rowspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Pos ! rowspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | G ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Rushing ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Receiving |- | style="font-weight:bold;" | Att | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | Avg | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD | style="font-weight:bold;" | Rec | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | Avg | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD |- | [[2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2011]] | [[2011 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]] | [[2011 Southeastern Conference football season|SEC]] | FR | RB | 13 | 107 | 486 | 4.5 | 3 | 15 | 136 | 9.1 | 0 |- | [[2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2013]] | [[2013 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]] | [[2013 Southeastern Conference football season|SEC]] | SO | RB | 7 | 43 | 221 | 5.1 | 3 | 9 | 119 | 13.2 | 2 |- | [[2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2014]] | [[2014 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]] | [[2014 Southeastern Conference football season|SEC]] | JR | RB | 12 | 106 | 570 | 5.4 | 4 | 18 | 143 | 7.9 | 1 |- | [[2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2015]] | [[2015 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]] | [[2015 Southeastern Conference football season|SEC]] | SR | RB | 9 | 123 | 567 | 4.6 | 3 | 17 | 142 | 8.4 | 0 |- | style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/brandon-wilds-1.html Career] | style="font-weight:bold;" | South Carolina | colspan="3" style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | 41 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 379 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 1,844 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 4.9 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 13 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 59 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 540 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 9.2 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 3 |}
==Professional career==
===Pre-draft=== Coming out of South Carolina, Wilds was projected by the majority of analysts to go undrafted and was ranked the 29th best running back by NFLDraftScout.com. He attended and participated in the NFL Scouting Combine. Although he completed all of the possible drills at the combine, Wilds chose to redo the broad jump, vertical jump, short shuttle, and three-cone drill at South Carolina's Pro Day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brandon Wilds, DS #29 RB, South Carolina: 2016 NFL Draft |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profilexnews.php?pyid=113289&draftyear=2016&genpos=RB |access-date=January 2, 2017 |website=nfldraftscout.com}}</ref> {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 1 | weight = 220 | dash = 4.54 | ten split = 1.58 | twenty split = 2.62 | shuttle = 4.33 | cone drill = 7.08 | vertical = 36½ | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 10 | bench = 21 | wonderlic = | arm span = 32 | hand span = 10¼ | note = All values from [[NFL Combine]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Brandon Wilds |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/brandon-wilds?id=2555391 |access-date=January 2, 2017 |website=nfl.com}}</ref>}}
===Atlanta Falcons=== [[File:Brandon Wilds July 2016.jpg|thumb|Wilds at 2016 training camp with the Atlanta Falcons]] After Wilds went undrafted during the [[2016 NFL draft]], the [[Atlanta Falcons]] signed Wilds as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2016 |title=Falcons Agree to Terms with 22 CFAs |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Agree-to-Terms-With-22-CFAs/6b6e37e4-b450-44f4-b612-9f50b570d68d |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807071505/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Agree-to-Terms-With-22-CFAs/6b6e37e4-b450-44f4-b612-9f50b570d68d |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2017 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}</ref> Although he had offers from other teams, he chose the Falcons to be closer to his daughter and his filmiliarity with their fullback [[Patrick DiMarco]].<ref name="makescase">{{Cite web |last=Breiner |first=Ben |date=August 19, 2016 |title=Brandon Wilds makes case for spot with NFL's Atlanta Falcons |url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article96446432.html |access-date=December 8, 2016 |website=The State}}</ref> He entered training camp competing to be the Falcon's third running back with [[Terron Ward]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Atlanta Falcons' Depth Chart: 8/29/2016 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/187/ATL |access-date=January 2, 2017 |website=ourlads.com}}</ref> On September 3, 2016, the Falcons waived Wilds with an injury settlement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Falcons Finalize 53-Man Roster for 2016 Season |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Finalize-53-Man-Roster-for-2016-Season/e7c4f69c-734c-434a-84e6-45c9c1eafbf7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075135/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Finalize-53-Man-Roster-for-2016-Season/e7c4f69c-734c-434a-84e6-45c9c1eafbf7 |archive-date=October 3, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2017 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}</ref>
===New York Jets=== On September 26, 2016, the [[New York Jets]] signed Wilds to their [[practice squad]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Eric |date=September 26, 2016 |title=Jets Announce a Pair of Practice Squad Moves |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-announce-a-pair-of-practice-squad-moves-17767065 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=New York Jets |language=en-US}}</ref> On December 7, 2016, the Jets activated him to their active roster after placing [[Khiry Robinson]] on injured-reserve.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breiner |first=Ben |date=December 7, 2016 |title=Ex-Gamecock Brandon Wilds promoted to NY Jets active roster |url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article119441743.html |access-date=December 8, 2016 |website=The State}}</ref> On December 11, 2016, Wilds made his professional regular season-debut against the [[2016 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]], finishing with two carries for four-yards in a 23–17 overtime victory. On December 24, 2016, he had a season-high four rushing attempts for 14 yards in a 41–3 loss to the [[2016 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]. The following week, he had four carries for nine yards and two receptions for 20 yards as the Jets routed the [[2016 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] 30–10. His first career reception was a 12-yard pass from [[Ryan Fitzpatrick]] and he also had his first fumble recovery after a fumble by Fitzpatrick.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New York Jets - January 1st, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201701010nyj.htm |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
On July 27, 2017, Wilds was waived by the Jets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Randy |date=July 27, 2017 |title=Jets Acquire RB/KR Marcus Murphy on Waivers |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-acquire-rb-kr-marcus-murphy-on-waivers-19057666 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}</ref>
===Cleveland Browns=== On July 28, 2017, Wilds was signed by the [[Cleveland Browns]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2017 |title=Browns sign RB Brandon Wilds |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-RB-Brandon-Wilds/2bad87c9-87de-4dbd-9cbc-b5d9d3468b91 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204142556/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-RB-Brandon-Wilds/2bad87c9-87de-4dbd-9cbc-b5d9d3468b91 |archive-date=February 4, 2018 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}}</ref> He was waived/injured on September 1, 2017, and placed on injured reserve.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2017 |title=Browns reduce roster to 65 |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-reduce-roster-to-65/32007e2d-6e64-41c2-867d-3b1be2879e16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313182329/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-reduce-roster-to-65/32007e2d-6e64-41c2-867d-3b1be2879e16 |archive-date=March 13, 2018 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}}</ref> He was released on September 12, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Josh |date=September 14, 2017 |title=Browns waive RB Brandon Wilds from IR |url=https://247sports.com/Article/cleveland-browns-waive-brandon-wilds-injured-reserve-107401243/ |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en}}</ref>
===Jacksonville Jaguars=== On October 9, 2017, Wilds was signed to the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]]' practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Jay |date=October 10, 2017 |title=Jags sign OL Oni Omoile and RB Brandon Wilds to practice squad |url=http://jaguarswire.usatoday.com/2017/10/10/jags-sign-ol-oni-omoile-and-rb-brandon-wilds-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=March 29, 2019 |website=Jaguars Wire|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jaguars on January 22, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2018 |title=Jaguars sign nine players to reserve/futures contracts |url=http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-JaguarsNews/Jaguars-sign-nine-players-to-reservefutures-contracts-/4361e6da-9d31-4706-84df-f867989c694b |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228024942/http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-JaguarsNews/Jaguars-sign-nine-players-to-reservefutures-contracts-/4361e6da-9d31-4706-84df-f867989c694b |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |website=Jaguars.com}}</ref>
On September 1, 2018, Wilds was waived by the Jaguars and was signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oehser |first=John |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Roster reduction: Jaguars move to 53 players |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/roster-reduction-jaguars-move-to-53-players |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Jaguars.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oehser |first=John |date=September 2, 2018 |title=Jaguars sign 10 players to practice squad |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-sign-10-players-to-practice-squad |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Jaguars.com}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on September 15, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Jay |date=September 16, 2018 |title=Jags promote RB Brandon Wilds from practice squad, release Rashad Greene Sr. |url=https://jaguarswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/16/jags-promote-rb-brandon-wilds-from-practice-squad-release-rashad-greene-sr/ |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Jaguars Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref> He was waived on October 9, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2018 |title=Jaguars sign running backs Jamaal Charles and Dave Williams, promote tight end David Grinnage to active roster |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-sign-running-backs-jamaal-charles-and-dave-williams-promote-tight-end-da |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Jaguars.com}}</ref>
===Arizona Cardinals=== On October 15, 2018, Wilds was signed to the [[Arizona Cardinals]] practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=October 15, 2018 |title=Offensive Issues Jeopardizing Cardinals' Season |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/offensive-issues-jeopardizing-cardinals-season |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=AZCardinals.com}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cardinals on December 31, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Odegard |first=Kyle |date=December 31, 2018 |title=Charles Kanoff Among Eight Players Signed To Future Contracts |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/charles-kanoff-among-eight-players-signed-to-futures-contracts |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=AZCardinals.com}}</ref> He was waived on May 10, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=May 10, 2019 |title=As Rookies Sign, Cardinals Make Handful Of Roster Cuts |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/as-rookies-sign-cardinals-make-handful-of-roster-cuts |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=AZCardinals.com}}</ref>
===San Francisco 49ers=== On August 10, 2019, Wilds was signed by the [[San Francisco 49ers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Posey |first=Kyle |date=August 10, 2019 |title=49ers sign RB Brandon Wilds; Waive S Tyree Robinson |url=https://www.ninersnation.com/2019/8/10/20800239/49ers-sign-rb-brandon-wilds-waive-s-tyree-robinson |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Niners Nation}}</ref> He was waived on August 21, but re-signed six days later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 21, 2019 |title=49ers Announce Roster Moves |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-announce-roster-moves-x9833 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=49ers.com}}</ref> He was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2019 |title=49ers Release Nine Players |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-release-nine-players |access-date=August 30, 2019 |website=49ers.com}}</ref>
===Tampa Bay Vipers=== Wilds signed with the [[XFL (2020)|XFL]]'s [[Team 9 (XFL)|Team 9]] [[practice squad]] during the regular season. He was signed off of Team 9 by the [[Tampa Bay Vipers]] on March 9, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/en-US/xfl-transactions |access-date=March 9, 2020 |website=XFL.com}}</ref> He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Condotta, Bob |date=April 10, 2020 |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |work=SeattleTimes.com |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |access-date=July 17, 2020}}</ref>
===Calgary Stampeders=== Wilds signed with the [[Calgary Stampeders]] of the CFL on May 7, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 7, 2020 |title=Stampeders add Wilds and Young |work=Stampeders.com |url=https://www.stampeders.com/2020/05/07/stampeders-add-wilds-young/ |access-date=May 7, 2020}}</ref> After the CFL canceled the [[2020 CFL season|2020 season]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Wilds chose to opt-out of his contract with the Stampeders on September 3, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 3, 2020 |title=Stamps release Branden Dozier, two others |work=CFL.ca |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2020/09/03/stamps-release-branden-dozier-two-others/ |access-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref> He opted back in to his contract on January 11, 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 2021 |title=Stampeders re-sign Fraser Sopik |work=Stampeders.com |url=https://www.stampeders.com/2021/01/11/stampeders-re-sign-fraser-sopik/ |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> He was placed on the suspended list on July 10, 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2021 |title=Kasitati announces retirement; Stampeders sign Ben Whiting |work=Stampeders.com |url=https://www.stampeders.com/2021/07/10/kasitati-announces-retirement-stampeders-sign-ben-whiting/ |access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[https://gamecocksonline.com/sports/football/roster/player/brandon-wilds/ South Carolina Gamecocks bio] *{{commonscatinline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilds, Brandon}} [[Category:1993 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Blythewood, South Carolina]] [[Category:Players of American football from South Carolina]] [[Category:American football running backs]] [[Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football players]] [[Category:Atlanta Falcons players]] [[Category:New York Jets players]] [[Category:Cleveland Browns players]] [[Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players]] [[Category:Arizona Cardinals players]] [[Category:San Francisco 49ers players]] [[Category:Team 9 players]] [[Category:Tampa Bay Vipers players]] [[Category:Calgary Stampeders players]]