Michael Deiter

Michael Deiter's Biography

Michael Deiter, born on September 3, 1996, is a recognized figure in American football. He is known for his exemplary skills on the busy turf of the National Football League (NFL), where he currently plays as a professional football center for the Washington Commanders. Before landing this prestigious role, Deiter’s football career traversed several high-profile stints, including with the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans.

Born in Genoa, Ohio, Deiter discovered his knack for football during his formative years at Genoa Area High School. Here, he nurtured his on-field ability, with success beginning to manifest as early as his junior season. He attained the enviable achievement of being selected Northern Buckeye Conference all-conference for his roles as offensive lineman and defensive lineman in 2012. As a senior, he kept the momentum going, garnering numerous accolades including Northern Buckeye Conference Lineman of the Year, first-team All-Ohio on Offensive Line, and topping it all with AP District IV Lineman of the Year and Great Lakes Region Lineman of the Year honors. All this was achieved while spearheading Genoa (OH) to a 10-1 record.

After his formidable stint in high school, Deiter ventured into college football, joining the Wisconsin Badgers. As a freshman, he redshirted his first season before seizing a starting role in all 13 games as a Redshirt Freshman in 2015. He divided his prowess between playing as the left guard and as the center, earning his first letter. Deiter was honored with All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention (media) and recognized as Big Ten All-Freshman by ESPN for his impressive performances.

During his Redshirt Sophomore season in 2016, Deiter repeated his starting prowess, appearing in all 14 games and further solidified his place as one of the Badgers’ key players. He led the Wisconsin Badgers to clinch the Big Ten Conference West Division Championship, capping off the year with a #9 final season ranking. He was subsequently named a consensus All-Big Ten honorable mention.

In 2017, Deiter was listed on the prestigious Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy watch lists, preceding an impressive season that saw him named 2nd-team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports. He further distinguished himself as a frontrunner for the “Piesman” Trophy honored by SB Nation in recognition of his 4-yard touchdown against Illinois in an unforgettable display of unlineman-like agility.

After considering an early entry into the 2018 NFL draft at the end of his junior year, Deiter decided to return for his senior season at Wisconsin, trading his tackle position for the guard role. Earning the offensive captaincy along with Alex Hornibrook, Deiter was also named an AP second-team pre-season All American in acknowledgement of his undeniable football talent.

Deiter’s introduction to professional football began with the Miami Dolphins, who selected him in the third round, 78th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft. True to form, he excelled in his rookie year, appearing in all 16 regular season games and starting 15. As the Dolphins’ starting center, he navigated the 2021 season with tenacity until a sudden turn of events led him to be placed on injured reserve on October 2, 2021. After a period of recovery, he returned to active duty on December 4.

The next phase of Deiter’s career commenced on March 21, 2023, with a one-year contract signed with the Houston Texans. Nonetheless, he found himself released from the team on August 29, 2023, only to be re-signed to the practice squad shortly after. By September 16, he was promoted to the active roster.

The most recent chapter of Deiter’s career began on March 25, 2024, when he penned a contract with his current team, the Washington Commanders. Today, as he navigates this new journey, he continues to embody not just the skill, but also the perseverance and dedication that has characterized his football journey so far.