Ryan Rehkow Bio
Ryan Rehkow is an American professional football punter for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 11, 1998, in Veradale, Washington, Rehkow played college football for the BYU Cougars from 2020 to 2023 before entering the NFL in 2024. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent before being released and joining the Bengals, where he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most productive punters.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 235 pounds, Rehkow has earned recognition for his powerful leg and consistent performance. He set an NFL record for gross punt average in a single game during his professional debut and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2024. His combination of distance and precision has made him a valuable asset to Cincinnati’s special teams unit.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Rehkow grew up in Veradale, Washington, and attended Central Valley High School in nearby Spokane Valley. At Central Valley, he lettered in both football and basketball, developing the athletic foundation that would later support his career as a punter. His older brother, Austin Rehkow, played as a kicker in the NFL, giving Ryan an early connection to professional football and an understanding of the demands of the sport at its highest level.
Rehkow’s youngest brother, Cameron Tyler Rehkow, was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 11, an experience that shaped Ryan’s perspective and character. The family has been open about this challenge, and it has influenced how Ryan approaches his career and platform. Coming out of high school, Rehkow decided to commit to play college football for the BYU Cougars, choosing a program with a strong tradition and a culture that matched his own background.
Path to American Football
Rehkow’s path to professional football began in earnest when he joined the BYU Cougars program. He made his first collegiate punt in the opening week of the 2020 season against Navy, a 56-yard effort that hinted at his potential. That season, he punted 28 times for an average of 45.1 yards per punt, giving him a foundation to build upon in subsequent years.
As a sophomore in 2021, Rehkow set a BYU school record with an 83-yard punt against Arizona State and punted 40 times for a 48.6-yard average. His strong performance placed him on the Ray Guy Award watch list, and he was later named the Pro Football Network independent punter of the year. During the 2022 season, he continued his steady production, and in 2023 he was recognized as a First-team All-Big 12 selection and a co-Big 12 special teams player of the week after the season opener against Sam Houston. After the 2023 season, Rehkow declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
Ryan Rehkow Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
Rehkow’s college career at BYU spanned four seasons from 2020 to 2023, during which he steadily developed into one of the top punters in college football. Over his time with the Cougars, he punted 176 times and built a reputation for both distance and consistency. His development was marked by steady improvement, culminating in his First-team All-Big 12 honor in 2023.
During the 2023 season, Rehkow punted 68 times for an average of 48.3 yards, capping his college career with his most productive statistical year. His performance against Sam Houston, where he averaged 53.2 yards per punt with four punts inside the 20-yard line, demonstrated his ability to impact field position. By the end of his senior season, he was widely regarded as one of the best punters available in the 2024 NFL draft class.
Kansas City Chiefs (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, Ryan Rehkow signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. His time with the Chiefs was brief, however, as the organization released him on June 13, 2024. Despite the short tenure, the opportunity to train within one of the NFL’s most successful recent programs provided valuable professional experience.
The release gave Rehkow a chance to find a roster that better matched his skill set. He did not have to wait long, as another AFC team quickly expressed interest in his leg strength and accuracy.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2024–Present)
On July 26, 2024, Rehkow signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and quickly won the starting punter job as an undrafted rookie free agent. He made the Bengals’ 53-man roster and made an immediate impact in his professional debut on September 8, 2024. In that game, he set the NFL record for gross punt average in a single game with a 64.5-yard average on four punts, breaking the previous mark of 63.6 set by AJ Cole III in 2023. His long of 80 yards in that debut was also the longest punt in Bengals franchise history.
Rehkow’s strong debut earned him a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team for the 2024 season, cementing his status as one of the top young specialists in the league. On February 18, 2025, Rehkow and the Bengals agreed to a two-year contract extension, securing his future with the team through 2026. Through his first two NFL seasons, he has totaled 118 punts for 5,888 yards, an average of 49.9 yards per punt, with a long of 80 yards and 53 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rehkow’s primary strength is his exceptional leg strength, which allows him to flip field position with a single punt. His ability to consistently drive the ball 50-plus yards while maintaining direction makes him a weapon in both open-field and coffin-corner situations. He has also shown composure in high-pressure moments, a quality that helped him earn the starting job as an undrafted rookie.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rehkow’s NFL debut on September 8, 2024, stands as the defining moment of his early professional career, as he set the league record for gross punt average in a game. His 80-yard punt in that same contest became the longest in Bengals history. The PFWA All-Rookie Team selection later that season confirmed his arrival as a legitimate NFL talent.
Ryan Rehkow Career Wins
As a punter, Ryan Rehkow’s wins are measured in statistical milestones and team successes rather than traditional victories. Over his NFL career through 2025, he has recorded 118 punts for 5,888 yards with a 49.9-yard average, placing him among the league’s most productive specialists. His record-setting debut and immediate contract extension reflect the value he has brought to the Bengals since joining the team.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
Rehkow joined the Cincinnati Bengals in July 2024 and quickly made an impact. He set an NFL single-game record for gross punt average with 64.5 yards on four punts in his debut, and his 80-yard punt marked the longest in franchise history. He was later named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and signed a two-year contract extension in February 2025.
Other Wins & Performances
At BYU, Rehkow earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2023 and was named the Pro Football Network independent punter of the year following the 2021 season. He also set a BYU school record with an 83-yard punt against Arizona State in 2021 and was a Ray Guy Award watch list member that same year.
Ryan Rehkow Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rehkow comes from a family with deep ties to football. His older brother, Austin Rehkow, is a former NFL kicker, giving Ryan a direct connection to the professional game from an early age. His youngest brother, Cameron Tyler Rehkow, faced a serious health challenge when he was diagnosed with leukemia at age 11, an experience the family has spoken about publicly.
Personal Life
Ryan Rehkow married his wife, Hadlee, in 2022. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission for the church in London, England before beginning his college career. His faith and family remain central to his identity as he continues his professional career with the Bengals.
2025 Season Performance
Ryan Rehkow enters the 2025 season with strong momentum after a record-setting rookie year with the Cincinnati Bengals. His two-year contract extension, signed in February 2025, signals the organization’s confidence in his long-term role as the team’s punter. He will look to build on his 49.9-yard career average and continue ranking among the league’s leaders in gross punting average.
Coming off a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection, Rehkow’s focus in 2025 will be on consistency and on pinning opponents deep in their own territory. With 53 career punts inside the 20-yard line already, he has established himself as one of the more reliable directional punters in the AFC. Continued growth in his second full season could position him among the league’s elite specialists.
As the Bengals push toward a deeper playoff run, Rehkow’s ability to flip field position will remain a key part of their special teams strategy. His powerful leg and proven big-game composure make him a quiet but vital contributor to Cincinnati’s overall success.