Hubbry Logo
Ko KieftKo KieftMain
Open search
Ko Kieft
Community hub
Ko Kieft
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ko Kieft
Ko Kieft
Ko Kieft
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Ko Kieft (born January 20, 1998)[1] is an American professional football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.[2][3]

Key Information

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) 		259 lb
(117 kg) 		33 in
(0.84 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.98 s 1.80 s 2.89 s 4.53 s 7.07 s 32.0 in
(0.81 m)		 9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)		 21 reps
All values from Pro Day[4]

Kieft was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round, 218th overall, in the 2022 NFL draft.[5] In Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Kieft recorded a 19–yard gain on a pass from Tom Brady for his first career reception.[6] As a rookie, he had seven receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown; he appeared in 17 games and started 12.[7] In the 2023 season, Kieft appeared in 16 games and started six. He had a receiving touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in Week 15.[8] In the 2024 season, Kieft appeared in all 17 games and started one. A majority of his production came on special teams.[9]

Kieft began the 2025 season as one of Tampa Bay's reserve tight ends. He suffered a leg injury in Week 3 against the New York Jets, and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 23, 2025.[10]

Personal life

[edit]

Kieft's first name is his legal name, not a nickname. “Ko” is a derivative of “Jakobus,” the name of a great-grandfather who immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands.[11]

References

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

Ko Kieft

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ko Kieft (born January 20, 1998) is an American football for the of the (NFL). Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 265 pounds, he played college football for the , where he started all 13 games in his senior year of 2021, recording seven receptions for 101 yards and one while contributing to an offense that amassed 4,681 total yards. Kieft was selected by in the sixth round (218th overall) of the after being traded up from the as part of a pick swap. In his rookie season, he appeared in 17 games with 12 starts, catching seven passes for 80 yards and one touchdown, including his first career score on a pass from . Over his career through the 2025 season, Kieft has played in 53 games, accumulating eight receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns, primarily serving as a blocking on special teams and in run support. As of the 2025 season, Kieft has appeared in three games for without recording a reception, having previously been placed on injured reserve due to a earlier in the year. His role has emphasized physicality and effort, aligning with ' emphasis on versatile linemen in their offensive scheme.

Early life and education

Family and upbringing

Ko Kieft was born on January 20, 1998, in Sioux Center, Iowa, to parents Jerry and Linda Kieft, in a family of Dutch heritage reflective of the town's strong immigrant roots from the Netherlands. Growing up in the rural community of Sioux Center, a small farm town of approximately 7,500 residents surrounded by cornfields and dairy operations, Kieft was exposed to agricultural life from a young age, associating the scents of livestock with the value of hard work and economic sustenance. His family emphasized resilience and physicality through everyday activities, fostering a foundational work ethic that permeated his early years. Community sports were integral to this environment, providing early opportunities for engagement in physical pursuits. Kieft's interest in multiple sports developed without a familial tradition in wrestling, yet he embraced its demands, influenced by his parents' values of and , including bonding with his father over football analysis. At age four, his father, a former high school coach, secured him a role as a team , igniting his passion for football amid the town's communal athletic culture. He attended Sioux Center High School, where he balanced emerging athletic interests with an initial focus on academics, reflecting the disciplined upbringing in his close-knit family.

High school career

Kieft attended Sioux Center High School in , where he competed in four sports: football, wrestling, track, and . His multi-sport involvement highlighted his athletic versatility from an early age, contributing to a strong foundation of physical conditioning and competitive experience. In football, Kieft served as a and linebacker during his three-year varsity career with the Warriors, earning all-state recognition as a senior from for his defensive play. He recorded 21 total tackles, including 19 solo stops and two sacks, while also intercepting one pass in his final season. Offensively, he passed for 840 yards and 7 as a senior, capping a career that included 1,224 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes overall. These contributions helped Sioux Center achieve competitive success in Class 2A, with Kieft's dual-role performance demonstrating his leadership and field awareness. Kieft's wrestling career further showcased his toughness and athletic prowess, as he qualified for the High School State Wrestling Tournament in Class 2A during both his junior and senior years at the 220-pound . Despite lacking a familial tradition in the sport, he embraced wrestling's demands, using it to build resilience and technique that translated to other athletic endeavors. His state-level appearances underscored a competitive edge honed through rigorous training at a small 2A program. Kieft's high school achievements earned him recognition as the No. 7 overall recruit in by both and , where he held three-star status from and a composite rating of 80 from . This athletic profile, marked by his multi-positional football skills and cross-sport excellence, positioned him as a sought-after prospect, ultimately leading to his commitment to the .

College career

Recruitment and early years

Ko Kieft, rated as a three-star recruit by with a composite score of 0.8038, emerged as an athletic prospect from Sioux Center High School in . His recruitment gained momentum after attending a camp in June 2015, where he impressed coaches with his versatility as a and linebacker; he initially committed to State before flipping to the Golden Gophers on December 16, 2015, and officially signing on February 3, 2016. This commitment bolstered 's 2016 class, which later ranked among the top 10 nationally in retrospective evaluations. Upon enrolling at in June 2016, Kieft redshirted his freshman season to focus on adapting to the position, transitioning from his high school role as an . As a redshirt freshman in 2017, he made his collegiate debut against Buffalo on August 31, playing in all 12 games with 2 receptions for 17 yards, primarily contributing on special teams while learning blocking techniques essential for Big Ten offenses. His roles remained restricted in 2018 and 2019, where he lettered, played in 13 games with 1 reception for 19 yards in 2018, and 12 games without receptions in 2019, emphasizing development in inline blocking and route-running fundamentals under coaches who prioritized physical preparation. Physically, Kieft entered college at approximately 225 pounds, but he focused on bulking up to meet the demands of Big Ten competition, reaching 259 pounds by his senior year through targeted that enhanced his frame for run-blocking duties. This development allowed him to adapt to the conference's rigorous physicality, where he honed skills in pass protection and edge sealing without drawing penalties. Throughout his early college tenure from 2016 to 2019, Kieft balanced football with academics, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors each year starting in 2017 for maintaining strong academic performance while pursuing a degree at the . By 2021, he had completed his and begun a master's program, demonstrating effective time management amid his on-field development.

Senior season and achievements

In the 2020 season, shortened to eight games due to adjustments by the , Kieft saw an increased role on offense as a senior, playing in four games and recording two receptions for 29 yards, including his first career on a 14-yard catch against . Kieft's true senior year in marked a breakout, as he started all 13 games at , achieving career highs with seven receptions for 101 yards and one while providing key blocking support. His contributions helped anchor an offense that amassed 4,681 total yards and averaged 25.46 points per game, with ranking 27th nationally in rushing yards per game at 169.8. Over his entire college career at from 2017 to 2021, Kieft appeared in 54 games, finishing with 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Kieft earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors for his 2021 performance and was recognized as a team captain by his teammates, showcasing his as a tone-setter on the offensive line. He also received Academic All-Big Ten accolades every season from 2017 to 2021 for his academic excellence. As he prepared for the 2022 NFL Draft, Kieft participated in Minnesota's pro day, where he measured 6 feet 4⅜ inches tall and 259 pounds, and ran a 4.98-second 40-yard dash, along with a 32.5-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-5-inch broad jump, 21 bench press repetitions, 4.40-second 20-yard shuttle, and 7.15-second three-cone drill.

Professional career

2022 NFL Draft

Kieft was not invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine but participated in the University of Minnesota's pro day on March 16, 2022, where he recorded a 4.85-second 40-yard dash, 21 repetitions on the bench press, a 7.07-second three-cone drill, and a 9-foot-3-inch broad jump, metrics that underscored his athleticism and blocking prowess as a tight end prospect. His senior season performance at Minnesota, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention for blocking an offense that amassed 4,681 total yards and averaged 25.5 points per game, further boosted his draft stock. Scouting reports highlighted Kieft's high competitiveness, exceptional perimeter blocking, and soft hands for securing passes, describing him as a "throwback" and one of the class's premier blockers who drives his feet on contact and mauls defenders in the run game. Analysts ranked him as a mid-round prospect, valuing his physicality and effort at the second level despite limited receiving production in . On April 30, 2022, during the , the traded their seventh-round picks (Nos. 235 and 261) to the to move up and select Kieft in the sixth round, 218th overall, adding depth to their group. He signed his rookie contract on May 12, 2022, a four-year deal worth $3,792,016 with a $132,016 and $132,012 in fully guaranteed money. In the transition to the professional level, Kieft stood out during the ' rookie minicamp in May 2022 for his intimidating physical presence and blocking tenacity, with observers noting he appeared as someone not to be trifled with. Throughout OTAs, mandatory minicamp, and , he showcased reliable hands in receiving drills and versatility as an hybrid, earning praise as a "one-man wrecking crew" for his nasty mentality in the trenches.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tenure

Ko Kieft was selected by the in the sixth round of the , marking his entry into the professional ranks as a blocking with special teams versatility. In his rookie 2022 season, Kieft appeared in all 17 games, starting 12 primarily as an inline blocker and on special teams. He recorded 7 receptions for 80 yards and 1 , with his receiving contributions limited to short-yardage situations, while excelling in run blocking to support running back and quarterback Tom Brady's offense under coordinator . On special teams, Kieft logged 11 tackles, contributing to coverage units and adding physicality to a unit that emphasized grit. His playing style, characterized by competitiveness and second-level reach blocking, earned praise from head coach , who described him as an "old-school football player" capable of lining up at or fullback. During the 2023 season, Kieft played in 16 games with 6 starts, continuing his role as a rotational blocker amid an evolving offense under new coordinator . His receiving stats were minimal, with 1 catch for 2 yards and 1 , underscoring his primary value in pass protection and run support rather than as a pass-catching threat. Special teams remained a key area, where he notched 7 tackles, helping maintain ' competitive edge in kicking and coverage phases. Kieft's physical mentality added depth to the tight end room, complementing veterans in a scheme that prioritized blocking efficiency. The 2024 campaign saw Kieft in 17 games with just 1 start, focusing even more on special teams duties with 3 tackles recorded. He had no receptions, aligning with his established limited receiving role under coordinator , where his contributions emphasized inline blocking and occasional fullback alignments to aid the ground game. Through these first three seasons, Kieft's career totals stood at 8 receptions for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns, highlighting his impact beyond the stat sheet in fostering a tough, versatile offensive identity. In the 2025 season, Kieft appeared in the first 3 games, logging 3 special teams tackles before suffering a broken leg in Week 3 against the . placed him on injured reserve on September 23, 2025, a move confirmed by head coach as season-ending, depriving the team of a core special teams player who had participated in 77% of kick coverage snaps early in the year. This injury represented a significant loss for the ' depth, particularly in blocking and coverage roles.

Personal life

Heritage and family background

Ko Kieft's legal first name, "Ko," is a shortened derivative of "Jakobus," honoring a great-grandfather who immigrated to the from the . The Kieft family traces its roots to , a small town in the northwest part of the state with a population under 10,000 and a prominent Dutch heritage stemming from 19th-century immigrants who established farming communities there. , where is located, became a hub for Dutch settlers in the late 1800s, with over half of its residents of Dutch descent by the early , forming tight-knit colonies influenced by Reformed Protestant values. Public information on Kieft's immediate family remains limited, though he is the son of Jerry and Linda Kieft, with one brother, Tim, and one sister, Nikki. Raised in this rural, supportive environment, Kieft grew up amid the agricultural landscapes and community-oriented lifestyle typical of the area, which emphasized perseverance and mutual aid among families. The Dutch cultural legacy in Sioux Center has notably shaped family dynamics, instilling a strong and family-centered priorities passed down through generations of immigrants who valued in farming and close-knit household structures. This heritage contributed to an upbringing that fostered resilience, reflecting the broader immigrant of adapting to frontier challenges while maintaining communal bonds.

Off-field activities

Kieft has actively maintained strong connections to his hometown of Sioux Center, Iowa, through participation in local youth and community events. In June 2025, he joined fellow NFL players including Andrew Van Ginkel, Christian Rozeboom, Garret Greenfield, Vern Den Herder, and Brandon Scherff for the 3rd Annual Day with the Pros youth football camp at Sioux Center High School. The event, organized by Snap Fitness Sioux Center and ProActive Physical Therapy, featured drills such as running routes and hitting sleds for participants in grades 3 through 8, along with an autograph session and a free-will donation cookout. Kieft highlighted the personal impact of the camp, noting the joy of interacting with children, seeing their smiles, and building their confidence through hands-on activities. Proceeds from a silent auction and donations supported local organizations including ATLAS, All Kids Can, the Van Ginkel Impact Foundation, and the Rock Valley Public Library. To promote the event, Kieft appeared on Sioux County Radio's "The Daily Grind" program alongside Carter Jacobson of Sioux Center and Steve Haveman of ProActive , where they discussed the camp's structure, participating players, and its charitable goals. This appearance underscored his commitment to community health initiatives in by highlighting opportunities for youth engagement in athletics and . Kieft has also used the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative to support charitable causes tied to his roots and broader community needs. In 2022, he advocated for ATLAS of Sioux Center, a local organization providing support services. The following year, he highlighted The Titan Project, which focuses on awareness for student-athletes. In 2024, his cleats raised awareness for the , emphasizing cardiovascular health. These efforts reflect his role as a , leveraging his NFL platform to give back to communities in and beyond.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KiefKo00.htm
  2. https://www.buccaneers.com/team/players-roster/ko-kieft/
  3. https://gophersports.com/sports/football/roster/ko-kieft/1205
  4. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/ko-kieft-nfl-draft-tight-end-minnesota-pick-218-2022
  5. https://www.nfl.com/players/ko-kieft/
  6. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4034779/ko-kieft
  7. https://gophersguru.com/2021/11/22/from-iowa-cornfields-to-the-big-city-gophers-tight-end-ko-kiefts-toughness-is-nothing-new/
  8. https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/sioux-center/m0t3bd?hl=en
  9. https://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/iowa/sioux-center/sioux-center-high-school/ko-kieft
  10. https://www.maxpreps.com/ia/sioux-center/sioux-center-warriors/athletes/ko-kieft/football/stats/?careerid=hq5murmjsemo8
  11. https://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/high-school/football/article_0a4db1be-a1bc-569a-8053-eeab95d58a65.html
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3297376/2022/05/16/buccaneers-ko-kieft-minnesota/
  13. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/216683/ko-kieft
  14. https://247sports.com/player/ko-kieft-84641/
  15. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/high-school/recruiting/2015/12/17/college-football-recruiting-minnesota-lands-sioux-center-all-state-pick-ko-kieft/77498468/
  16. https://www.startribune.com/ko-kieft-flips-commitment-from-ndsu-to-gophers/362741581
  17. https://www.thedailygopher.com/2016/2/3/10901258/minnesota-football-recruiting-ko-kieft-commits-gophers
  18. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1591427/2020/02/07/minnesota-golden-gophers-2016-class-recruiting-revisited/
  19. https://gophersports.com/sports/football/roster/ko-kieft/1093
  20. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ko-kieft-1.html
  21. http://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/school/_/id/135/class/2016
  22. https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Ko-Kieft-TE-Minnesota
  23. https://247sports.com/college/minnesota/longformarticle/minnesota-football-fall-camp-preview-brevyn-spann-ford-tight-end-167690251/
  24. https://www.startribune.com/gophers-tight-ends-led-by-ko-kieft-prep-for-evolving-role/600087939
  25. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ko-kieft-1/gamelog/2020
  26. https://cfbstats.com/2021/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category01/sort01.html
  27. https://steelersdepot.com/2022/03/2022-nfl-draft-player-profiles-minnesota-te-ko-kieft/
  28. https://247sports.com/Article/News-and-notes-from-Minnesota-Footballs-2022-Pro-Day-184547503/
  29. https://mndaily.com/271507/sports/kieft-mafe-and-faalele-stand-out-at-gophers-pro-day/
  30. https://www.buccaneers.com/team/players-roster/ko-kieft/career
  31. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/ko-kieft-te-minnesota/
  32. https://overthecap.com/player/ko-kieft/10263
  33. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/roster-move-draft-class-signings-2022-white-mccollum-kieft-anthony
  34. https://www.joebucsfan.com/2022/05/bucs-rookie-minicamp-practice-notes/
  35. https://www.joebucsfan.com/2022/07/ko-kieft-doesnt-care-what-critics-think/
  36. https://thepewterplank.com/2022/08/14/ko-kieft-role-buccaneers/
  37. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/ko-kieft-adds-different-mentality-bucs-offense-sidebar-preseason-week-3
  38. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4034779/ko-kieft
  39. https://bucsreport.com/2022/09/17/buccaneers-ko-kieft-an-old-school-football-player/
  40. https://www.nfl.com/players/ko-kieft/stats/career
  41. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/ko-kieft-29523
  42. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/buccaneers-ko-kieft-could-miss-rest-of-2025/
  43. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/bucs-te-ko-kieft-lands-223733614.html
  44. https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2022/08/16/call-him-k-train-bucs-rookie-ko-kieft-restores-fullback-dimension-to-offense/
  45. https://www.iagenweb.org/sioux/books/hollanders/hollanders_26.htm
  46. https://pubs.lib.uiowa.edu/annals-of-iowa/article/9754/galley/118390/download/
  47. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/11/13/where-the-small-town-american-dream-lives-on
  48. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/61081149.pdf
  49. https://www.ktiv.com/2025/06/25/day-with-pros-takes-over-sioux-center/
  50. https://www.nwestiowa.com/nwest_iowa_review/sports/byers-day-with-the-pros-continues-to-grow/article_9d9b292c-3bb9-41e1-af66-f4708bf48c7f.html
  51. https://siouxcountyradio.com/programs/the-daily-grind/carter-jacobson-steve-haveman-ko-kieft/
  52. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-support-causes-my-cause-my-cleats-nfl-2022
  53. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-my-cause-my-cleats-2023-initiative-week-13
  54. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/tampa-bay-buccaneers-support-40-different-charitable-causes-nfl-my-cause-my-cleats-initiative
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.