Background and career
Wesley Carter Welker (born May 1, 1981) is an American professional football coach and former wide receiver who is the tight ends coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played in the NFL for 12 seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots, and holds the NFL record for most receptions by an undrafted player. Welker played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, winning the Mosi Tatupu Award and receiving first-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. Joining the NFL in 2004, Welker played his first three seasons with the Dolphins and set the franchise record for kick return yardage. Welker was traded to the Patriots in 2007, where he earned Pro Bowl selections in five of his six seasons, led the league in receptions three times, set the franchise record for receptions, and became one of 13 players to score a 99-yard touchdown. He played his next two seasons with the Denver Broncos and was a member of the 2013 team that set the NFL record for points scored in a season. He played for the St. Louis Rams in 2015 before retiring. Welker has served as an offensive assistant and coach since 2017 for several teams. For his accomplishments in New England, he was named to the Patriots' All-2000s, All-2010s, and All-Dynasty Teams.
Welker started his football career at Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City, his hometown. In his junior year, he helped lead the Chargers to the 2A State Football championship over Tishomingo High School. In that game, Welker had three touchdowns, over 200 all-purpose yards, a 47-yard field goal, and an interception. In his high school football career, he rushed for 3,235 yards and 53 rushing touchdowns to go along with recording 174 receptions for 2,551 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 22 interceptions, three pick-sixes, 581 tackles, and nine fumble recoveries. He handled some kicking duties and recorded 165 extra points made and 35 field goals converted. As a punt returner, he scored seven touchdowns. Also, in 1999, he was named The Daily Oklahoman All-State Player of the Year, Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the year, as well as Oklahoma State Player of the Year by USA Today. Welker played in the 2000 Oil Bowl, scoring a 40-yard field goal for the Oklahoma team in the 11–9 loss. Out of high school, Welker was not heavily recruited, as he was considered to be too small to play at the college level. However, after a recruit at Texas Tech backed out of his scholarship, it was offered to Welker. Said Welker of the experience:
"I was thinking I'd get a scholarship somewhere. When it didn't happen when it was supposed to, on signing day, I was pretty hurt by it. … In the end, I don't think I could've picked a better school than Texas Tech."Besides football Welker also ran track his freshman and sophomore years before moving on to soccer in his junior year. He scored 15 goals in four games during the 1999 season before suffering a season-ending injury. Welker rejoined the team late in his senior year and helped lead the team to a 10-4-1 record. A two-time MVP, he also helped Heritage Hall qualify for the state tournament for the first time. Although his he only played 9 games in two seasons, he had nine assists. Which ranks him 5th in career goals and career points, and he honored by selection to the 1999 and 2000 All-District teams as well as the 2000 All-State team. He was inducted into the heritage Hall athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.
While attending Texas Tech University, Welker played for the school's Red Raiders football team. His last-minute signing proved to be very beneficial for the Red Raider football team. Based on a highlight reel from high school, Welker earned the nickname "The Natural", given to him by his recruiter, and then running backs coach at Texas Tech, Art Briles, before his freshman year for his versatility and big-game performances.
Welker made his collegiate debut in the 2000 season opener against Utah State. He recorded an eight-yard punt return in the 38–16 victory. Two weeks later, in a 26–0 victory over Louisiana–Lafayette, he recorded a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown. He had four total punt returns on the day for 102 net yards for a 25.5 average On October 7, against Baylor, he recorded his first collegiate reception on a 37-yard catch in the 28–0 victory. On October 28, in a 45–39 victory over Kansas, he had five receptions for 72 yards to go along with a 42-yard rushing touchdown. In addition, he recorded a punt return that went 66 yards for a touchdown. As a freshman, he had 26 receptions for 334 yards. In addition, he recorded 17 kick returns for 308 net yards for a 18.0 average and 28 punt returns for 353 net yards for a 12.6 average and two punt return touchdowns.
In the Red Raiders' 2001 season opener, a 42–30 victory over New Mexico, Welker had four receptions for 40 receiving yards and his first collegiate receiving touchdown on a pass by quarterback Kliff Kingsbury. On October 13, in a 38–19 victory over Kansas State, he had six receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns. In the following game, a 41–31 loss at Nebraska, he had four receptions for 47 yards to go along with an 85-yard kick return for a touchdown. On November 3, he had 11 catches for 64 yards in the 12–0 victory over Texas A&M. As a sophomore, he had 50 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns.
Sources
Net-worth figure: Celebrity Net Worth (October 2026), in USD. Biography and career facts: the person's Wikipedia article and linked reporting. Snapshot date for all StarWorth figures: 28 October 2026.
