Ko Kieft

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]

Ko Kieft

No. 41 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1998-01-20) January 20, 1998 (age 27) Sioux Center, Iowa, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:	Sioux Center (IA)
College:	Minnesota (2016–2021)
NFL draft:	2022: 6th round, 218th pick
Career history
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Receptions: 8 Receiving yards: 82 Receiving touchdowns: 2 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Professional career

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, he 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, he appeared in all 17 games and started one. A majority of his production came on special teams.^[9]

Personal life

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.^[10]