Travis Vokolek Bio
Travis Vokolek is an American professional football tight end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 6 in and listed at 260 lb, he plays a blocking-and-receiving role in the tight end room. He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Nebraska Cornhuskers before reaching the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Vokolek began his professional career with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Arizona Cardinals in December 2023. Known for his frame and special teams work, he has carved out a depth role on the Cardinals roster.
Early Life and Background
Travis Vokolek was born on June 4, 1998, in Springfield, Missouri, USA. He grew up in Springfield and attended Kickapoo High School, where he played high school football. His size and athleticism at the tight end position drew early attention from college programs.
Coming out of Kickapoo, Vokolek was rated a three-star recruit by recruiting services. He was regarded as a developmental prospect with the physical tools to grow into a college-level tight end.
He committed to play college football at Rutgers, choosing the Scarlet Knights over other programs. His decision to leave Missouri for the Big Ten set the stage for a college career that would later include a transfer and a sixth year of eligibility.
Path to American Football
Vokolek’s path to professional football began with a multi-year development arc at the college level. He enrolled at Rutgers in 2017, where he worked his way into the Scarlet Knights’ rotation as a pass-catching and blocking tight end.
After two seasons in Piscataway, he entered the NCAA transfer portal at the end of the regular season. He transferred to Nebraska, where he sat out the 2019 season and redshirted in accordance with NCAA transfer rules.
He went on to spend the rest of his college career with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, finishing as a multi-year contributor. The combination of a redshirt year, the COVID-19 eligibility waiver, and a return for a sixth season allowed him to log extensive playing time before declaring for the NFL in 2023.
Travis Vokolek Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Vokolek began his college football career at Rutgers. During his freshman season, he played in seven games and caught one pass for 14 yards, providing a glimpse of his receiving skill set while adjusting to the college level.
As a sophomore, Vokolek played in all 12 of the Scarlet Knights’ games with seven starts. He recorded 16 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable target before entering the transfer portal at the end of the regular season.
Rutgers Breakthrough (2017–2018)
At Rutgers, Vokolek progressed from a limited freshman contributor into a starting tight end by his second year. His sophomore totals of 16 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns represented his most productive stretch as a Scarlet Knight.
The experience he gained in a Power Five program prepared him for the next step. After the 2018 season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal and committed to Nebraska.
Nebraska Era (2019–2022)
After transferring to Nebraska, Vokolek sat out the 2019 season and redshirted under NCAA transfer rules. The redshirt year gave him time to learn the Cornhuskers’ offense and add weight in the strength program.
As a redshirt senior, he recorded 11 receptions for 127 yards. With the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, he returned to Nebraska for a sixth season.
In his final college season, Vokolek caught 20 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns. His experience as a sixth-year senior gave the Cornhuskers a veteran presence in the tight end room.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–Present)
On April 29, 2023, Vokolek was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on August 29 and re-signed to the Ravens’ practice squad, beginning his NFL career on the developmental roster.
On December 20, 2023, Vokolek was signed from the Ravens’ practice squad to the Arizona Cardinals’ active roster as a replacement for the injured Geoff Swaim. The move gave him his first active-roster opportunity in the NFL.
At the 2024 season, Vokolek made the team’s initial 53-man roster as the Cardinals’ fourth-string tight end behind Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, and Tip Reiman. He reprised his role for the 2025 season, making five appearances with one start and recording two tackles on special teams. In Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts, he suffered a season-ending neck injury after colliding with Colts linebacker Segun Olubi and was placed on injured reserve.
Driving Style and Strengths
Vokolek’s game is built around his 6 ft 6 in frame, which allows him to function as a mismatch in the passing game and an edge-setter in the running game. He has been deployed primarily on special teams in Arizona, where his size and willingness in coverage have been valued by the coaching staff.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most notable NFL milestone came on December 20, 2023, when he was elevated from the Ravens’ practice squad to the Cardinals’ active roster. Making the Cardinals’ initial 53-man roster in 2024 as the fourth tight end marked another career step, and his first career start came during the 2025 season.
Travis Vokolek Career Wins
As a depth tight end and special teams contributor, Travis Vokolek’s professional resume is defined more by roster milestones and team roles than by individual win totals. The verified markers of his career include his undrafted free agent signing with the Baltimore Ravens, his promotion to the Arizona Cardinals’ active roster in 2023, and his place on the Cardinals’ 53-man roster in 2024 and 2025.
NFL Highlights
Vokolek’s first NFL opportunity came with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, where he spent time on the practice squad after going undrafted. His move to the Arizona Cardinals in December 2023 marked his entry onto a 53-man roster.
In 2024, he earned a spot on the Cardinals’ initial 53-man roster as the fourth tight end. In 2025, he recorded his first career start and two special teams tackles before a Week 6 neck injury ended his season.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Vokolek recorded 16 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns in his sophomore year at Rutgers and posted 11 receptions for 127 yards as a redshirt senior at Nebraska. He closed his college career with 20 receptions for 240 yards and two touchdowns in his sixth and final season with the Cornhuskers.
Travis Vokolek Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Travis Vokolek’s immediate family is limited. Verified biographical details are confined to his Springfield, Missouri upbringing and his time at Kickapoo High School.
Personal Life
Travis Vokolek was born on June 4, 1998, in Springfield, Missouri, USA. He has kept personal relationships and family details largely private, and verified public information about a spouse, children, or parents is not available.
2025 Season Performance
Travis Vokolek entered the 2025 season in a familiar role as the Cardinals’ fourth-string tight end behind Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, and Tip Reiman. He made the initial 53-man roster and appeared in five games, including his first career NFL start.
His 2025 production came primarily on special teams, where he recorded two tackles. The season took a difficult turn in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts, when a collision with Colts linebacker Segun Olubi resulted in a season-ending neck injury that sent him to injured reserve.
The injury effectively ended his 2025 campaign and leaves his status for the remainder of the year and beyond as a question mark. His role on special teams and his value as a depth tight end had been the foundation of his Arizona tenure heading into the setback.