Tyquaez Pickett: Athlete, Actor, and Community Leader

Tyquaez Pickett represents a unique success story that extends beyond traditional career paths. The Maple Heights native built his reputation through athletic achievement before transitioning into entertainment and entrepreneurship. His journey demonstrates how skills from sports translate into different professional fields.

Born in November 1996, Pickett grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Maple Heights, Ohio. He excelled in football and basketball during high school, earned a college scholarship, and later found opportunities in acting and business. Today, he runs youth programs while building a career in the entertainment industry.

This article covers Pickett’s background, athletic achievements, career transitions, business ventures, and community work based on available information.

Who Is Tyquaez Pickett?

Tyquaez Pickett is a 28-year-old former college athlete, actor, and entrepreneur from Maple Heights, Ohio. He played football at Bowling Green State University, where he ranked third all-time in receptions. After his athletic career, he pursued acting and launched several community-focused businesses.

Pickett stands out for his ability to succeed across different fields. He moved from competitive sports to television and film while starting programs focused on youth development, fitness access, and technology education. His work centers on Cleveland’s underserved communities.

People recognize Pickett for his football career at Bowling Green, his role on the television drama “City Lines,” and his youth mentorship programs. He lives in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood with his wife Maya and daughter Zora.

Pickett applies athletic discipline—work ethic, pressure management, and teamwork—to entertainment and business ventures.

Early Life in Maple Heights, Ohio

Tyquaez Pickett was born in November 1996 as the youngest of three children. His mother, Tamara, worked two jobs to support the family, demonstrating the work ethic that would shape his character. His father, Marcus Pickett, a former high school basketball player, remained involved despite separating from Tamara when Tyquaez was seven.

Maple Heights, a working-class suburb of Cleveland, is known for its strong community values. Teachers remember Pickett as a focused student who helped classmates, not just a standout athlete. He organized neighborhood pickup games that included everyone, regardless of skill level.

Financial challenges shaped his perspective. Watching his mother work multiple jobs while maintaining her commitment to the family influenced his later focus on creating opportunities for youth facing similar circumstances. The community’s emphasis on mutual support became a core principle in his business philosophy.

Growing up in a working-class environment created Pickett’s commitment to accessibility in his programs and businesses.

High School Athletic Success

At Maple Heights High School, Pickett played both football and basketball at the varsity level by sophomore year. His talent and dedication set him apart from his peers in both sports.

As a wide receiver, Pickett set the school record with 22 touchdown receptions during his senior season. His speed and reliable hands attracted attention from Midwest college scouts. Coach Thomas Jackson noted that Pickett arrived at practice early and stayed late, often running routes alone on weekends while other students socialized.

In basketball, Pickett stood 6’3″ and averaged 23.5 points per game during his junior year. He led the Mustangs to their first regional championship in 15 years. His vertical leap and court awareness made him effective from anywhere on the floor. He earned team captain and MVP recognition for his performance.

The statistics tell only part of the story. Pickett’s consistent extra work beyond required practices established habits that served him throughout his career. This dedication earned him a full athletic scholarship to Bowling Green State University.

High school success came from voluntary additional practice time, creating a work ethic foundation for later career transitions.

College Football Career at Bowling Green

Pickett attended Bowling Green State University on a full football scholarship. He chose to focus solely on football after playing multiple sports in high school. His college career produced notable statistics:

• 189 receptions (3rd all-time in school history)
• 2,423 receiving yards
• 18 touchdowns
• Two-time All-MAC selection (2012, 2013)
• Team captain senior year

His senior season proved most productive, with 72 catches for 968 yards and 8 touchdowns. NFL scouts attended games, but Pickett went undrafted. He received tryouts with the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears before injuries redirected his professional path.

Beyond football, Pickett explored theater through elective courses and performed in two campus productions. These experiences revealed natural performing talent that surprised those who knew him only as an athlete. He graduated with a communications degree, combining athletic experience with storytelling skills.

Going undrafted disappointed Pickett, but he viewed it as a redirection rather than a failure. He started coaching youth football teams in Cleveland while determining his next steps. This period revealed his passion for mentoring young people facing challenges similar to those he overcame.

College theater experience and communications education created options when professional football prospects ended.

Transition to Acting and Entertainment

Pickett’s interest in acting began during college but accelerated after sports. He started with Cleveland’s local theater scene, earning his first notable role in 2016 as Troy in a regional production of “Fences.” Local critics praised his authentic stage presence.

His breakthrough came in 2018 with a recurring role on “City Lines,” playing Detective Marcus Webb for seven episodes. The network drama provided television exposure and led to additional opportunities. Within a year, he secured a supporting role in “Breaking Through,” an independent film that premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival.

Director Samantha Reeves noted that Pickett brings genuine life experience to his roles, creating emotional connections with audiences. His work lacks the artifice common in less experienced actors.

Pickett’s entertainment credits include:

• “Southside Stories” (2020) – supporting role
• “Cleveland Spotlight” (2019-2021) – host
• “A Soldier’s Play” (2022) – lead role in touring production
• “Pickett’s Perspective” podcast – launched 2024
• Voice acting for video games and commercials

His athletic background benefits his acting career. Managing pressure, working effectively in teams, and performing consistently translate directly from sports to entertainment. He approaches roles with the same preparation intensity he brought to football.

Athletic training in pressure management and teamwork provides advantages in entertainment that many actors without sports backgrounds lack.

Business Ventures and Community Impact

Pickett launched three main community-focused businesses in the Cleveland area:

EmpowerU (Founded 2020): A youth mentorship program offering free workshops on career development and life skills. The program hosts regular sessions attracting dozens of participants. Success stories include participants securing their first jobs after program guidance.

FitZone Wellness: A fitness initiative making exercise accessible in underserved areas through affordable classes and nutrition education. Pickett personally leads many sessions, applying his athletic knowledge to community health improvement.

TechRoots Labs: A technology education program teaching coding and digital skills. Pickett partners with schools, helping students build applications and learn marketable technical skills that create economic opportunities.

He also maintains employment with “Just In Time,” a Maple Heights company, keeping direct ties to his hometown community. His business philosophy centers on removing barriers he faced growing up, ensuring programs serve people with similar challenges.

Pickett advocates openly for mental health awareness, particularly for young Black men. He discusses his anxiety struggles during college to reduce stigma around mental health conversations. This transparency strengthens his connection with the communities he serves.

His advocacy work includes regular school speaking engagements, mentorship of aspiring entrepreneurs, and participation in community forums on education and opportunity. He emphasizes that communities succeed collectively rather than through isolated individual achievement.

Pickett’s businesses address specific gaps from his personal experience, making programs effective by targeting genuine community needs rather than assumed ones.

Personal Life and Current Work

Pickett married Maya Washington, a graphic designer and entrepreneur, in 2018. They met at a community event and connected over shared values about community building. Maya runs a digital marketing agency in Cleveland.

Their daughter Zora was born in 2021. Fatherhood shifted Pickett’s perspective and intensified his motivation for community work. He explained that having a daughter makes him more conscious about the world she will inherit, driving his commitment to positive change.

The family lives in a renovated historic property in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood. They chose the area for its arts scene and community atmosphere. Pickett maintains fitness habits from his athletic days through regular running and home workouts. He enjoys cooking and reads extensively, often sharing book recommendations on social media.

Financial experts estimate Pickett’s net worth between $2-3 million, reflecting his diverse career and investments in Cleveland businesses and properties. However, he maintains that relationships and community impact matter more than financial measures of success.

Young people who work with Pickett mention how he encourages them to discover their unique strengths instead of following predetermined paths. He emphasizes that success takes many forms and that setbacks build character when handled correctly.

Pickett balances public work with private family life while maintaining wellness practices and using his platform strategically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Tyquaez Pickett?

Tyquaez Pickett is a former college football player, actor, and entrepreneur from Maple Heights, Ohio. He played at Bowling Green State University before transitioning to entertainment and launching community-focused businesses in Cleveland.

What did Tyquaez Pickett achieve in college football?

Pickett recorded 189 receptions for 2,423 yards and 18 touchdowns at Bowling Green, ranking third all-time in school history for receptions. He earned All-MAC honors twice and served as team captain his senior year.

Is Tyquaez Pickett related to Kenny Pickett?

No, Tyquaez Pickett and Kenny Pickett are different people. Kenny Pickett is an NFL quarterback, while Tyquaez is a former college athlete turned actor and entrepreneur from Ohio.

What businesses does Tyquaez Pickett run?

Pickett founded EmpowerU (youth mentorship), FitZone Wellness (community fitness), and TechRoots Labs (technology education). All three focus on serving underserved communities in the Cleveland area.

Where does Tyquaez Pickett live now?

Pickett lives in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood with his wife Maya and daughter Zora. He maintains strong connections to his hometown of Maple Heights, Ohio, where he grew up and attended high school.