Ko Kieft
TE
#41
Experience: 5 years
Height: 6-5
Age: 28
Weight: 265 lbs
College: Minnesota
Preseason
| WK | Game Date | OPP | RESULT | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LOST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 08/28/2026 | @Jaguars | L 0 - 19 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | 08/22/2026 | Chiefs | W 16 - 15 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |||||||
| 1 | 08/14/2026 | @Jets | W 24 - 16 |
Biography
ACQUIRED BY BUCS:
Selected in the sixth round (217th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.
ACQUIRED BY BUCS:
Selected in the sixth round (217th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Has appeared in 53 career games for the Buccaneers, making 19 starts and bringing in eight receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Has also added 24 career special teams tackles.
Has played in four career postseason contests, making two starts.
Recorded his first career touchdown reception in Week 12 of the 2022 season against Cleveland (11/27/22).
With his first career touchdown grab, Kieft became the 94th different player to catch a touchdown pass from Tom Brady.
Brought in his first career catch in Week 4 of the 2022 season vs. Kansas City (10/2/22).
Made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2022 season against Dallas (9/11/22).
2025 HIGHLIGHTS:
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 1 victory in Atlanta, logging eight offensive snaps and 19 special teams snaps. Recorded one special teams tackle.
In the Week 2 win at Houston, played a team-lead-tying 22 special teams snaps and an additional five snaps on offense.
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 3 win over the New York Jets, playing a team-high-tying 24 special teams snaps and 16 offensive snaps. He finished with two special teams tackles.
Per Pro Football Focus, was Tampa Bay's highest-graded offensive player in the Week 3 win over the Jets.
Was placed on Injured Reserve prior to Week 4.
COLLEGE:
Appeared in 49 games over five seasons at Minnesota (2017-21), recording 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
In his final season with the Golden Gophers in 2021, Kieft blocked for an offense that totaled 4,681 yards and averaged 25.5 points per game, earning him All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition.
Set career highs as a fifth-year senior with seven receptions and 101 receiving yards, adding one touchdown.
Appeared in four games, making one touchdown reception in 2020 during a condensed season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Played in 12 games in 2019, blocking for an offense that accumulated its school's third-highest yardage total (5,616) in program history, while throwing for a school record 3,293 passing yards. Minnesota's 443 points scored in 2019 were the second-most in program history.
In 2018, Kieft saw time in all 13 games and was part of an offense that eclipsed 20 touchdowns passing and 20 touchdowns rushing in the same season for the first time since 2006.
Primarily played on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2017, making his collegiate debut vs. Buffalo (8/31/17).
Redshirted as a true freshman in 2016.
PERSONAL:
Attended Sioux Center High School (Sioux Center, Iowa), where he played both quarterback and linebacker.
Named all-state as a linebacker by the Des Moines Register.
In addition to football, Kieft competed in baseball, track and wrestling.
He was ranked as the No. 7 player in the state of Iowa by ESPN and the No. 10 player in Iowa by 247Sports.
Son of Jerry and Linda Kieft.