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Jake Tonges
Jake Tonges
Jake Tonges
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Jacob Tonges (tohn-JISS; born July 8, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

Key Information

College career

[edit]

At the University of California, Berkeley, Tonges was a member of the California Golden Bears for five seasons, redshirting his true freshman year. As a redshirt senior, he caught 22 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns.[1] Tonges finished his collegiate career with 47 receptions for 620 yards and four touchdowns.[2]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+3⁄8 in
(1.94 m) 		240 lb
(109 kg) 		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.77 s 1.62 s 2.72 s 4.45 s 7.09 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 17 reps
All values from Pro Day[3]

Chicago Bears

[edit]

Tonges signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022.[4] He made the Bears' initial 53-man roster out of training camp.[5] He was waived on November 10, and re-signed to the practice squad. Tonges signed a reserve/future contract with Chicago on January 9, 2023.[6]

Tonges was waived on August 8, 2023,[7] and placed on injured reserve.[8] He was released on August 17.[9]

San Francisco 49ers

[edit]

On September 27, 2023, Tonges signed with the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad.[10] He signed a reserve/future contract with San Francisco on February 13, 2024.[11]

On April 17, 2025, Tonges re-signed with the 49ers.[12] On September 7, Tonges recorded his first career reception and his first career touchdown, which turned out to be the game winner, in a 17–13 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks.[13]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jake Tonges

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jake Tonges (born July 8, 1999) is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighing 240 pounds (109 kg), Tonges hails from Los Gatos, California, where he grew up in the Bay Area before playing college football for the California Golden Bears from 2017 to 2021. After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent and earned a spot on their initial 53-man roster, marking the start of his professional career. Tonges joined the in 2023, where he has spent the majority of his three-year tenure as a reserve behind star player . Early in his career, he recorded limited playing time, with no receptions across his first 20 games. However, during the 2025 season, Tonges emerged as a breakout contributor, logging 26 receptions for 226 yards and four touchdowns through mid-November, including a game-winning score against the in Week 1. His development has positioned him as a valuable depth piece on a contending 49ers roster, leveraging his local roots and athletic profile in the tight end room.

Early life

Family background

Jake Tonges was born on July 8, 1999, in , . His family relocated to , when he was around five years old, where he spent the remainder of his childhood. The move placed the family in the heart of the Bay Area, near , the home of the . Tonges is the son of Tim and Erika Tonges; his father, a lifelong supporter, provided early exposure to professional football through shared enthusiasm for the sport and the team. He has a sister, Katie Tonges, who has shared family moments related to his career on , such as a post about a CVS photo mix-up involving Tom Brady's family photos. This family environment, blending Midwestern roots with Bay Area life, shaped Tonges' foundational interest in football before his transition to organized play at .

High school career

Jake Tonges attended in , from 2013 to 2017, where he emerged as a versatile athlete in multiple sports. During his freshman and sophomore years, Tonges primarily played as the for the Los Gatos Wildcats , showcasing his arm strength and decision-making under center in the Athletic League (SCVAL). As he progressed, Tonges transitioned to a two-way role in his junior and senior seasons (2015–2017), contributing as a on offense and on defense, which highlighted his athletic adaptability and physical development. In this capacity, he recorded 43 receptions for 772 yards as a , averaging 18.0 yards per catch, demonstrating his reliability in the passing game within the SCVAL's De Anza Division. This positional versatility earned him local recognition as a key contributor to the Wildcats' program, building on early training influenced by his family's football background. In addition to football, Tonges was a two-sport , participating on the Los Gatos varsity team as a forward (wearing #11) during his high years, which further developed his competitiveness and teamwork skills. His involvement in complemented his football endeavors, contributing to his overall athletic profile in the competitive SCVAL environment.

College career

Walk-on years

Jake Tonges joined the football team as a walk-on in 2017 without a scholarship offer, arriving from as an unrecruited prospect. He redshirted his true freshman year, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the collegiate environment. Listed at 6'5" and 215 pounds, Tonges was notably undersized for the position, which typically demands greater bulk for blocking duties in the . His high school versatility across , , and roles provided a foundation for adapting to the more specialized demands of . In 2018, as a redshirt , Tonges saw limited action, appearing in all 12 games but recording no receptions or carries, primarily contributing on special teams and in practice scrimmages. Under head coach Justin Wilcox, who emphasized discipline and development in his program since taking over in 2017, Tonges focused on refining his blocking technique and route-running to earn consistent reps. His persistent performance in practices impressed the coaching staff, leading to the awarding of a full prior to the 2019 season, marking a significant milestone for the walk-on. Throughout these early years, Tonges integrated into the team by balancing rigorous academic demands at UC Berkeley with football commitments, maintaining eligibility while building relationships among teammates and coaches. As an undersized prospect, he compensated for his frame by leveraging speed and in drills, gradually earning trust in a competitive room. This period laid the groundwork for his development, highlighting resilience typical of walk-on contributors in Division I programs.

Starting role and statistics

Following his award, Tonges transitioned into a starting role beginning in 2019. As a redshirt , he appeared in all 13 games with 9 starts, recording 13 receptions for 262 yards and 1 . In the 2020 season, shortened to 4 games due to the , Tonges started 3 games and had 12 receptions for 80 yards and 1 . In his redshirt senior season of 2021, Tonges emerged as a key starter for the , appearing in all 12 games and making a career-high 11 starts as the primary . He was nominated for the , awarded to the top player who began his career as a walk-on. Tonges set personal bests with 22 receptions for 278 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 12.6 yards per catch while providing versatility in the Bears' offensive scheme. As a , Tonges contributed both as a receiver and in blocking to support the run game, helping to stabilize the position group in multiple-tight-end formations under offensive coordinator . Over his four collegiate seasons from 2018 to 2021, Tonges accumulated 47 receptions for 620 yards and 4 across 41 games played, with his senior year marking a significant increase in production after limited opportunities earlier. Notable performances included 4 receptions for 19 yards and a against Washington on September 25, as well as 3 receptions for 34 yards and another score versus on 15. In the annual Big Game rivalry matchup against Stanford on November 20, Tonges recorded 1 reception for 11 yards, aiding Cal's dominant 41-11 victory. Following the 2021 season, Tonges initially entered the transfer portal on December 9 but withdrew to forgo his remaining eligibility and declare for the as an undrafted free agent prospect, announced on January 6, 2022. This decision capped his Cal career, where he had earned a prior to his senior year, transitioning from a walk-on to a reliable offensive contributor.

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Tonges signed with the as an undrafted on May 6, 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the NFL Draft. His college performance at , where he amassed 47 receptions for 620 yards and four touchdowns over his career, positioned him as an intriguing prospect despite going undrafted. Despite the long odds for undrafted players, Tonges secured a place on the Bears' initial 53-man roster following a strong and preseason, where he showcased versatility by transitioning from to fullback. This marked a rare achievement, as only three undrafted rookies made the cut that year. Under , Tonges adapted to the professional game's increased tempo and physicality, focusing on blocking and special teams roles to earn his spot. In the 2022 regular season, Tonges appeared in four games for the Bears, logging snaps primarily on special teams and as a blocking fullback without registering any offensive statistics. He signed a reserve/future contract with the team on January 9, 2023, but was waived on August 8, 2023, with an injury designation, reverted to injured reserve, and released on August 17, 2023.

Tonges joined the ' practice squad on September 27, 2023, following his release from the . He signed a reserve/future contract with the team on February 13, 2024, which secured his spot on the 53-man roster for the upcoming season. In the 2024 season, Tonges appeared in all 16 games as a depth behind starter , primarily contributing on special teams and in blocking roles with zero receptions recorded. His limited offensive involvement highlighted his role as a reliable reserve in Kyle Shanahan's offense, where he focused on versatility across units to support the team's run-heavy scheme. Tonges received a one-year extension worth $1,030,000 for the 2025 season, positioning him for an expanded opportunity. As of November 18, 2025, he has played in 11 games, stepping into an increased role due to Kittle's injury, and has recorded 26 receptions for 226 yards and four touchdowns. A notable highlight came on October 26, 2025, when he caught a two-yard touchdown reception against the Houston Texans, helping narrow the score in a 26-15 loss; earlier in the season, he scored the game-winning touchdown against the in Week 1. Throughout the season, Tonges has earned trust in high-stakes situations through his blocking prowess and receiving contributions, solidifying his place as a versatile asset in both offensive and special teams packages.

Playing style and attributes

Jake Tonges is a versatile known for his contributions in run blocking, pass protection, receiving, and special teams. At 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and 240 lb (109 kg), he possesses the size and athleticism suited for multiple roles in a . His pro day performance highlighted his explosiveness and strength, including a projected 4.76-second , 35.5-inch , 10 ft 0 in broad jump, 4.45-second short shuttle, 7.09-second three-cone drill, and 17 repetitions. Tonges excels as a blocker, particularly in the run game and short-yardage situations, where his technique and effort have been praised by coaches and analysts. During the 2025 season, he earned a run-blocking grade of 72.1 from , contributing to the 49ers' ground attack. As a receiver, he demonstrates reliable hands, good route-running, and the ability to find soft spots in zone coverages, leveraging his high football IQ to adjust to defensive alignments. His overall PFF grade of 69.9 ranked 15th among 36 tight ends through Week 11. Tonges' strong work ethic and team-first mentality have solidified his role as a depth player behind , with versatility allowing him to line up inline, in the slot, or detached as a mismatch threat.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TongJa00.htm
  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4259147/jake-tonges
  3. https://www.49ers.com/team/players-roster/jake-tonges/
  4. https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/jake-tonges/60864
  5. https://www.rotowire.com/football/player/jake-tonges-16418
  6. https://www.nfl.com/players/jake-tonges/stats/career
  7. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4259147/jake-tonges
  8. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/jake-tonges-29914/career-stats?seasonYear=2025
  9. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/77557/jake-tonges
  10. https://media.49ers.1rmg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/12121815/Tonges-Jake.pdf
  11. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/49ers-hometown-kid-jake-tonges-making-19711742.php
  12. https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/los-gatos/los-gatos-wildcats/athletes/jake-tonges/?careerid=vse3vhi7cd477
  13. https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/los-gatos/los-gatos-wildcats/athletes/jake-tonges/football/stats/?careerid=vse3vhi7cd477
  14. https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/09/san-francisco-49ers-jake-tonges-los-gatos-high-knbr-sf-murph-wcal-cif-ccs/
  15. https://calbears.com/news/2021/11/2/football-jake-tonges-a-nominee-for-burlsworth-trophy.aspx
  16. https://calbears.com/sports/football/roster/jake-tonges/18134
  17. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jake-tonges-1.html
  18. https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/jake-tonges-enter-transfer-portal
  19. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/2021-cal-football-positional-preview-7ca
  20. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jake-tonges-1/gamelog/2021/
  21. https://calbears.com/sports/football/stats/2021/stanford/boxscore/29554
  22. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-undrafted-free-agents-2022-season-rookie-minicamp
  23. https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/tonges-makes-bears-a-a-fullback
  24. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-reach-nfl-s-53-man-roster-limit
  25. https://www.shawlocal.com/bears/2022/08/31/learning-fullback-position-leads-undrafted-rookie-jake-tonges-to-spot-on-chicago-bears-roster/
  26. https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-three-players-to-the-team-s-practice-squad
  27. https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/stats/jake-tonges.php
  28. https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/195290-jake-tonges-earned-his-place/
  29. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/77557
  30. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/4259147/jake-tonges
  31. https://www.nfl.com/players/jake-tonges/
  32. https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1022045&DraftYear=2022
  33. https://vocal.media/writers/jake-tonges-rising-talent-in-american-football
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