Markus Wheaton
{{Short description|American football player (born 1991)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Markus Wheaton
| image = Markus Wheaton.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Wheaton with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013
| number = 11, 12, 80
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|2|7}}
| birth_place = Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 185
| high_school = Chandler (Chandler, Arizona)
| college = Oregon State (2009–2012)
| draftyear = 2013
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 79
| pastteams = * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2013}}–{{NFL Year|2016}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2017}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2018}})
| status =
| highlights = * First-team All-Pac-12 (2012)
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 110
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 1,559
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 8
| pfr = WheaMa00
}}
Markus Levonte Wheaton (born February 7, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (79th overall) of the 2013 NFL draft. He also played for the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles.
Early life
Wheaton was born in Phoenix, Arizona.{{Cite web |last=Benesch |first=Brian |date=May 7, 2018 |title=Ahwatukee players figured prominently in past NFL drafts |url=https://www.ahwatukee.com/feeds/az_sports_local/article_02f282e2-4e36-11e8-b64c-c3e8e3efcf3c.html |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Ahwatukee Foothills News |language=en}} He attended Mountain Pointe High School, and played for the Mountain Pointe Pride high school football team from 2005–2007.{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2012 |title=Wheaton continues to make an impression |url=https://www.ahwatukee.com/sports/sports_briefs/article_51e6eeaa-0cde-11e2-bc41-001a4bcf887a.html |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Ahwatukee Foothills News |language=en}} He had 23 receptions for 476 yards and six touchdowns as a junior, and added 49 tackles on defense. He also attended Chandler High School, and played for the Chandler Wolves high school football team.{{Cite web |last=Pheifer |first=Todd |date=April 26, 2013 |title=Markus Wheaton: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Oregon State WR |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1607713-markus-wheaton-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-oregon-state-wr |access-date=August 8, 2021 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} He recorded 736 yards receiving on 37 receptions with four touchdowns as a senior. He was a three-time first-team all-region and honorable mention all-state selection. Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated the No. 41 athlete in the nation. He committed to Oregon State.{{Cite web |title=Markus Wheaton, 2009 Athlete, Oregon State |url=https://rivals.com/content/athletes/markus-wheaton-31124?view=pv |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}}
Wheaton was also a standout sprinter for the Chandler High School track team. He won both the 200-meter dash (21.42s) and 400-meter dash (47.38s) at the 2009 Chandler Invitationals. He also ran a season-best time of 10.81 seconds in the 100 meters at the 2009 5AI State Championships.{{Cite web |title=Markus Wheaton |url=http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=313132 |website=Athletic.net}}
College career
File:Markus Wheaton catching ball in endzone (October 7, 2012) 1 (cropped).jpg
While attending Oregon State University, Wheaton played for the Oregon State Beavers football team from 2009 to 2012. As a senior in 2012, he was a first-team All-Pac-12 Conference selection.{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2013 |title=Crichton, Poyer, Jenkins and Wheaton Earn Pac-12 First Team - OREGON … |url=http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112612aaa.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130130222341/http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112612aaa.html |archivedate=January 30, 2013}} During his college career, he recorded 227 receptions for 2,994 yards and 16 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Markus Wheaton College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/markus-wheaton-1.html |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
Wheaton was also on the Oregon State University track team. He ran a career-best time of 46.80 seconds in the 400 meters at the prelims of the 5A Fiesta Regional Championships. He finished 2nd in the 100 meters at the 2012 Oregon Twilight Meet, with a time of 10.58 seconds. He was also timed at 10.35 seconds in the 100 meters.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
=College statistics=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="6"| Receiving ! colspan="4"| Rushing | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | 100+ | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |
| 2009
| 12 || 8 || 89 || 11.1 || 25 || 0 || 0 || 11 || 79 || 7.2 || 1 | ||||||||||
| 2010
| 12 || 55 || 675 || 12.3 || 48 || 2 || 4 || 27 || 220 || 8.1 || 2 | ||||||||||
| 2011
| 12 || 73 || 986 || 13.5 || 69 || 4 || 1 || 25 || 190 || 7.6 || 0 | ||||||||||
| 2012
| 13 || 91 || 1,244 || 13.7 || 51 || 5 || 11 || 20 || 142 || 7.1 || 2 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/markus-wheaton-1.html Total] | 227 | 2,994 | 13.2 | 69 | 11 | 16 | 83 | 631 | 7.6 | 5 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11
| weight = 189
| dash = 4.45
| ten split = 1.60
| twenty split = 2.63
| shuttle = 4.02
| cone drill = 6.80
| vertical = 37
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 0
| bench = 20
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 32 3/4
| hand span = 9 1/8
| note = All values from the NFL Combine.{{Cite web |title=Markus Wheaton Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/markus-wheaton/32005748-4512-0992-3db9-f1a7d0faabbb |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2013 NFL Draft Scout Markus Wheaton College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=91144&DraftYear=2013 |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
==2013 season==
The Pittsburgh Steelers picked Wheaton in the third round, with the 79th overall pick, of the 2013 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2013 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/draft.htm |access-date=May 14, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He signed a 4-year contract for $2.81 million with $591,000 guaranteed.{{Cite web |last=Bryan |first=Dave |date=May 23, 2013 |title=Steelers Sign Third-Round Draft Pick WR Markus Wheaton On Thursday |url=https://steelersdepot.com/2013/05/steelers-sign-third-round-draft-pick-wr-markus-wheaton-on-thursday/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Steelers Depot |language=en-US}}
Wheaton made his NFL debut on September 8, 2013, against the Tennessee Titans. On September 29, 2013, Wheaton made his first career start and made 3 catches for 26 yards in a 34–27 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. During a Week 11 matchup with the Detroit Lions, he made a season-high 3 receptions for 38 yards. He finished his rookie season with 6 catches for 64 yards in 12 games and 1 start.{{Cite web |title=Markus Wheaton 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WheaMa00/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2014 season==
During the 2014 offseason, the Steelers lost veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to the Denver Broncos via free agency. With the loss of Sanders, Wheaton was given a larger role in the offense.
On September 7, 2014, he started the season opener against the Cleveland Browns and ended the game with a season-high 6 receptions and 97 yards. In Week 8, Wheaton made 5 catches for 56-yards and caught his first career touchdown in a 51–34 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The next game, he caught 2 passes for 62 receiving yards and scored a 47-yard touchdown in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. He played in his first career postseason game on January 3, 2015, and made 5 receptions for 66-yards in a 17-30 loss to the Ravens. He finished his second season with 53 receptions, 644 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns in 11 starts and 16 games.{{Cite web |title=Markus Wheaton 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WheaMa00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2015 season==
Wheaton began appearing more in the slot position as Martavis Bryant emerged last season. With Bryant becoming more solidified in the offense, Wheaton was poised to become a full-time receiver during 2015.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=June 19, 2015 |title=Markus Wheaton embraces slot receiver role |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-wr-markus-wheaton-embraces-slot-role-0ap3000000497985 |access-date=June 19, 2015 |website=NFL.com}} Wheaton began the season starting against the New England Patriots and caught 3 passes for 55-yards in a 28–21 loss. On October 12, 2015, he caught a 72-yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick in a 24–20 victory at the San Diego Chargers. During a Week 12 loss at Seattle, Wheaton made a career-high 9 catches for 201-yards and scores on a 69-yard touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks - November 29th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201511290sea.htm |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On December 20, 2015, he continued to make progress as he made 6 receptions for 62-yards and a touchdown in a 34–27 victory over the Denver Broncos. Wheaton finished the regular season with 44 receptions for 749 yards and five touchdowns, and his 17.0 yards per reception was ninth among NFL wide receivers in 2015.{{Cite web |title=Markus Wheaton 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WheaMa00/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2015 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/receiving.htm |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2016 season==
Wheaton played in three games in the 2016 season with two starts recording four catches for 51 yards and a touchdown before suffering a shoulder injury.{{Cite web |title=Markus Wheaton 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WheaMa00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was placed on injured reserve on November 19, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=November 19, 2016 |title=Dupree activated; Heyward, Wheaton to IR |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/dupree-activated-heyward-wheaton-to-ir-18109687 |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Steelers.com}}
=Chicago Bears=
On March 10, 2017, Wheaton signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=March 10, 2017 |title=Bears sign receiver Markus Wheaton |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-sign-receiver-markus-wheaton-18639066 |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}
On March 14, 2018, Wheaton was released by the Bears after recording only three receptions for 41 yards in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=March 14, 2018 |title=Roster moves: Bears release Glennon, Wheaton, Cooper |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-rostermoves/Roster-moves-Bears-release-Glennon-Wheaton-Cooper/762e8dd4-5a1a-42ab-87fc-598fdda7e657 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315133603/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-rostermoves/Roster-moves-Bears-release-Glennon-Wheaton-Cooper/762e8dd4-5a1a-42ab-87fc-598fdda7e657 |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}
=Philadelphia Eagles=
On May 2, 2018, Wheaton signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |last=Gowton |first=Brandon Lee |date=May 2, 2018 |title=Markus Wheaton, Eagles officially agree to contract |url=https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/5/2/17312730/eagles-markus-wheaton-joe-callahan-packers-steelers-bears-chicago-green-bay-packers-free-agency-nfl |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=BleedingGreenNation.com}} He was released by the team on September 12, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Graham |date=September 12, 2018 |title=Eagles Bring Back Kamar Aiken, Release Markus Wheaton |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-bring-back-kamar-aiken-release-markus-wheaton |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He retired on January 22, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Popejoy |first=Curt |date=January 22, 2019 |title=Former Steelers WR Markus Wheaton says he'll retire |url=https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/22/markus-wheaton-retirement-eagles-bears-2019/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Steelers Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}
NFL career statistics
= Regular season =
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2013 | PIT
| 12 || 1 || 6 || 64 || 10.7 || 21 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | PIT
| 16 || 11 || 53 || 644 || 12.2 || 47 || 2 || 4 || 19 || 4.8 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2015 | PIT
| 16 || 8 || 44 || 749 || 17.0 || 72 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | PIT
| 3 || 2 || 4 || 51 || 12.8 || 30 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | CHI
| 11 || 0 || 3 || 41 || 17.0 || 22 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WheaMa00.htm Total] || 58 || 22 || 110 || 1,549 || 14.2 || 72 || 8 || 4 || 19 || 4.8 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 0 |
= Postseason =
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2014 | PIT
| 1 || 0 || 5 || 66 || 13.2 || 17 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2015 | PIT
| 2 || 2 || 7 || 53 || 7.6 || 24 || 0|| 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WheaMa00/gamelog/post/ Total] || 3 || 2 || 12 || 119 || 9.9 || 24 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |
Personal life
Wheaton's cousin, Kenny Wheaton, played defensive back for the Dallas Cowboys.{{Cite web |last=Buker |first=Paul |date=August 18, 2009 |title=Injury forces Oregon State's Markus Wheaton - cousin of famous Duck Kenny Wheaton - into spotlight |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/behindbeaversbeat/2009/08/the_force_feeding_of_osus_mark.html |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=OregonLive |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{footballstats|pfr=W/WheaMa00}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20121119104033/http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wheaton_markus01.html Oregon State Beavers bio]
{{Steelers2013DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wheaton, Markus}}
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Oregon State Beavers football players
Category:Players of American football from Chandler, Arizona
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Chicago Bears players