Three brothers, three different SEC schools. Texas sophomore wide receiver Ryan Wingo is entering his second season in Austin, but he’s the third Wingo brother to play major college football. Before Ryan was catching passes from Arch Manning, his older brothers, Ronnie Wingo Jr. and Ray Wingo, carved out solid careers at Arkansas and Missouri, respectively.
Now, Ryan has a chance to become the most successful Wingo yet, building on a family legacy defined by hard work and high-level competition.
How Did the Wingo Brothers Pave the Way for Ryan?
Ronnie Wingo Jr. spent four seasons as a running back at Arkansas from 2009 to 2012 before a brief stint in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. However, those basic facts do not tell the whole story of his college career.
The eldest Wingo brother had a dominant high school run at St. Louis University High School, rushing for 4,449 yards and 48 touchdowns. His performance earned him a spot on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl West team.
He kept that same energy going in college, where he became a reliable contributor for the Razorbacks. His freshman season showed promise, with 319 rushing yards on 49 carries, and he added five catches for 99 yards and a score. His most productive rushing season came during his junior year in 2011, when he ran for 458 yards.
Ronnie Wingo. Wheel Route. pic.twitter.com/1wto3sKwKt
— WarMachine2013 (@WarMachine2013) July 15, 2025
Perhaps his most memorable moment came during the 2010 upset victory over Alabama, when Ronnie Jr. scored on a 43-yard wheel route that helped seal the win, giving him a signature highlight in his Arkansas career.
By the time he finished his four seasons in Fayetteville, he had accumulated 1,089 rushing yards while contributing as both a runner and receiver.
Following his college career, his professional journey began when the Atlanta Falcons signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He later joined the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad and appeared in two NFL games, where he had one carry for four yards and caught one pass for two yards.
Why Did Ray Wingo Choose Missouri?
While Ronnie Jr. headed to Arkansas, his brother Ray Wingo stayed closer to home, forging his own path at Missouri from 2014 to 2017.
The younger brother brought serious speed to Columbia. He had won a Missouri state championship in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.85 seconds into a headwind, a race where no other runner broke 11 seconds. That kind of speed made him the No. 7 recruit in Missouri, according to Rivals.
Initially, Missouri coaches started him on defense but quickly saw his offensive potential. The switch to receiver paid off in 2016, when he caught five passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. His best game came against Eastern Michigan when he had three catches for 125 yards and a score.
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When given opportunities, Ray delivered big plays. A 68-yard reception became his career highlight, and he averaged an impressive 18.6 yards per catch throughout his time at Missouri. He was not just a receiver, either, as coaches used him on defense when needed, and he even carried the ball a couple of times.
However, Ray’s playing time decreased in his final seasons as Missouri’s roster evolved. He finished his career with nine catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns, modest numbers that do not fully show his impact when called upon. After graduating, he moved on from football to focus on life after the game.
The Foundation: Parents Who Set the Standard
This athletic success did not happen by accident. The parents, Ronnie Wingo Sr. and Tiffany Wingo, laid the foundation for it, creating an environment that produced three college football players.
Alright, party people, let’s give a big ol’ Texas-sized shoutout to Ryan Wingo on his birthday!
Y’all remember that play where Wingo was so open you’d swear he was wearing an invisibility cloak? Arch Manning, with the eagle eye, launched that ball like it was a missile, and… pic.twitter.com/h9DjlTssMK
— Longhorn🤘Highlights (@LonghornClips) February 15, 2025
Ronnie Sr. knew football firsthand as a two-time all-state cornerback at Sumner High School before playing at Michigan State and Louisville. He brought that experience home with demanding training sessions that started before dawn.
“It’s hard work. It’s getting up at five, six o’clock in the morning, running hills, push-ups, sit-ups, and just working hard and staying consistent,” Ronnie Sr. explained.
Ryan Wingo: The Next Chapter
Ryan now carries the family torch at Texas. The sophomore showed immense promise during his freshman season in 2024, catching 29 passes for 472 yards and two touchdowns across 16 games, including appearances in the College Football Playoff.
His college debut against Colorado State showed what he could do with four catches for a team-high 70 yards. But his biggest moment came later against UTSA, when he hauled in a 75-yard touchdown pass from Arch Manning.
Expecting a big year out of sophomore WR Ryan Wingo in 2025.
The rising crossers and deep shots were a strength a year ago and certainly fit the strengths of Arch Manning at QB. pic.twitter.com/m7JwHD6JJD
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) June 4, 2025
That connection with Manning could be crucial moving forward, especially with Texas losing key receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond heading into Ryan’s sophomore season. The Wingo brothers have now played at three different programs, each making their own way.
Ronnie Jr. contributed at Arkansas and reached the NFL. Ray used his speed at Missouri. Now, Ryan gets his shot at Texas with more opportunities ahead than either brother had before him.
