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Fresno State's student-run newspaper

The Collegian

Fresno State's student-run newspaper

The Collegian

Former+Fresno+State+wide+receiver+Keric+Wheatfall+is+heading+to+Philadelphia.+%28Melina+Kazanjian%2FThe+Collegian%29
Former Fresno State wide receiver Keric Wheatfall is heading to Philadelphia. (Melina Kazanjian/The Collegian)

Former Bulldog Keric Wheatfall signed with the Philadelphia Eagles

Former Fresno State wide receiver Keric Wheatfall went undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, but was one of 19 players invited to the Philadelphia Eagles’ minicamp this month. 

Now, he’s officially signed with the team.

Wheatfall initially attended Blinn College in Brenham, Texas after a successful two-sport high school career in Cypress Ranch, where he ran track as well. 

During his two seasons in junior college, Wheatfall recorded six touchdowns, 798 yards and 47 receptions, with 247Sports ranking him No. 17 for junior college wide receivers. He went on to become a Bulldog soon after.

Wheatfall earned an invitation to the Eagles’ minicamp and later signed to the team. (Melina Kazanjian/The Collegian)

As a junior at Fresno State, Wheatfall appeared in 10 games, starting in four games and improving to 17 catches for 307 yards. In his senior year, Wheatfall received an All-Mountain West honorable mention for his position, but played in only five games. 

Wheatfall took advantage of the additional year of eligibility due to COVID-19, playing another year at Fresno State.

He played in all 13 games, and started in eight. He finished as the team’s third-leading receiver, recording 38 receptions, 616 yards and four touchdowns. He also played special teams.

During his final season he played in the 2022 Tropical Bowl All-Star game, helped Fresno State to two wins over ranked opponents on the road and assisted in Fresno State’s defeat of two Top 25 opponents for the first time in a season since 2004. 

Wheatfall played in 13 games and started in eight during his final season as a Bulldog. (Melina Kazanjian/The Collegian)

He was a two-time Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list honoree by the end of his time at Fresno State.

In a previous interview with The Collegian, Fresno State offensive coordinator Kirby Moore, who recruited Wheatfall, praised his work ethic. 

“It’s been awesome to have him here,” Moore said. “I think he’s been really focused in terms of just some of the different hurdles that he’s gone through to get here.”

At 6 foot, 2 inches tall and 185 pounds, the consistent progress Wheatfall showed during his time at Fresno State earned him the minicamp invite, and he’s now on his way to Philadelphia with the opportunity to prove himself deserving of a spot on the roster.

Wheatfall’s signing raises the number of undrafted free agents (UFDAs) on the Eagles to 13. Fresno State has had three UDFAs sign with NFL teams after the 2022 draft: running back Ronnie Rivers to the Arizona Cardinals, defensive tackle Kevin Atkins to the San Francisco 49ers and Arron Mosby to the Carolina Panthers.

Former Fresno State offensive lineman Alex Akingbulu was also recently invited to a minicamp by the Dallas Cowboys. Akingbulu, who joined Fresno State as a grad transfer from UCLA in 2019, also assisted in Fresno State’s defeat of two Top 25 opponents for the first time in a season since 2004. 

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