Will Hernandez

Will Hernandez's Biography

William Hernandez made his mark in the world on September 2, 1995, to a Mexican family in Las Vegas, Nevada[2]. He quickly emerged as a gifted athlete, showcasing an array of talents across various fields. But it was his extraordinary affinity for American Football that made him stand out. Today, he stands tall as a professional guard for the Arizona Cardinals, a prestigious franchise in the National Football League (NFL). His journey, from a zero-star recruit to making it to the NFL, is nothing short of inspiring.

An integral part of his early life was spent at Chaparral High School in Paradise, Nevada, where he became a three-year starter, making a powerful impact as an offensive lineman, defensive end and middle linebacker over four years[3]. Hernandez had an exceptional senior year where he won acclaim as an all-Nevada offensive lineman and an all-conference defensive end. Passionate and resilient, he started every game at right guard, making remarkable contributions in defense.

In a surprising turn of events, Will chose to quit football after his freshman year to join his father’s construction company. However, his talents hadn’t gone unnoticed. He was urged by his coach to re-join the team compellingly citing his potential, leading to his return to the field[3].

As his high school years ended, Hernandez’s journey was far from smooth. Despite showing a definitive football prowess, he received scarce scholarships, with UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) being the only institution to acknowledge and nurture his talents[5].

On joining UTEP, Hernandez made an immediate impact. After resting his first year in 2013, he became a starter as a redshirt freshman and held that role throughout his college career, starting in a total of 49 games from 2014 to 2017. His exceptional performances earned him the title of a second-team All-American post the 2016 season[6].

Despite the disappointing performance of the UTEP Miners in 2017, Hernandez’s talent was impossible to ignore. Regarded as the “sole bright spot on a very dismal season”, he was named to the All-Conference USA offensive line[7]. His remarkable potential also earned him an invitation to the College Football All-Star Challenge and the NFL Combine[8].

Upon his entry to the 2018 NFL draft, the New York Giants saw potential in Hernandez and selected him in the second round as the 34th overall pick[11]. He followed this success by signing an impressive four-year contract worth $7.45 million with the Giants. He soon landed the position of the team’s starting left guard and was acknowledged on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team[14].

In 2020, Hernandez battled a bout of COVID-19, leading to a temporary delay in his career[15]. Although he made a recovery, he became a backup for the rest of the season, with his starting position going to rookie Shane Lemieux[18].

In March 2022, he saw another career development when he signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals[19]. Despite facing some hurdles along the way, he maintained his spot as a starting right guard with the team in 2023. Unfortunately, the following year, Hernandez suffered a season-ending knee injury in week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers[24].

True to his spirits, Hernandez returned in 2023, maintaining his pivotal position as a starting right guard for the Arizona Cardinals. His efforts were rewarded in March 2023, with a two-year contract extension, valued at up to $9 million[23].

Hernandez’s unique journey reveals a trajectory of growth, resilience, and perseverance, proving that neither humble beginnings nor adversity can stand in the way of true talent.