Zack Kuntz Bio
Zackary Patrick Kuntz (born June 4, 1999) is an American professional football tight end currently playing in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Old Dominion Monarchs before being selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 251 pounds, Kuntz is one of the tallest tight ends in professional football. He has since had stints with the practice squad and a futures contract with the Miami Dolphins, while also briefly being selected by the DC Defenders of the United Football League.
Early Life and Background
Zackary Patrick Kuntz was born on June 4, 1999, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and grew up in nearby Camp Hill, a small borough in Cumberland County. He attended Camp Hill High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete competing on the school’s basketball, football, and track and field teams. His rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism made him a standout in multiple disciplines from an early age.
On the football field, Kuntz was a productive receiver during his high school years. During his sophomore season, he recorded 49 receptions for 793 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a senior, he elevated his production even further, catching 40 passes for 1,060 yards and nine touchdowns. In track and field, Kuntz won the Pennsylvania Class AA Championship in the 110-meter hurdles as a junior, further demonstrating the speed and explosiveness that would later define his football career.
By the end of his high school career, Kuntz was rated as a four-star recruit and received scholarship offers from several major college football programs, including Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State. He ultimately committed to play college football at Penn State, choosing the Nittany Lions over his other notable suitors.
Path to American Football
Kuntz enrolled at Penn State early in January 2018, joining the Nittany Lions football program ahead of his peers. As a true freshman, he appeared in just one game and recorded a single reception for eight yards before the team elected to redshirt him, preserving a year of eligibility. That season provided him with an early introduction to the speed and physical demands of Big Ten football.
During his redshirt freshman year, Kuntz appeared in all 13 of Penn State’s games, though he was used primarily on special teams. On offense, he recorded only two receptions for 18 yards. Following his redshirt sophomore season, Kuntz decided to transfer in search of a larger role in the passing game, eventually choosing Old Dominion, an NCAA program competing in Conference USA.
Zack Kuntz Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Kuntz’s collegiate career began at Penn State, where he spent his first three seasons developing within one of the most competitive football conferences in the country. Although his statistical output was limited during this period, the experience of practicing and competing against high-level talent helped him refine his technique as a tight end. His most significant playing time at Penn State came on special teams, where he contributed on coverage and return units.
The combination of modest offensive production and the desire for a more prominent role led Kuntz to seek a transfer after the 2020 season. He chose Old Dominion, a program known for giving players a chance to showcase their abilities in a pass-oriented offensive system. This decision proved to be the turning point in his development as a professional prospect.
Old Dominion Breakthrough (2021-2022)
Kuntz’s transition to Old Dominion produced immediate results. In his first season with the Monarchs in 2021, he became a focal point of the offense, catching 73 passes for 692 yards and five touchdowns. His size made him a difficult matchup for opposing defensive backs, while his track-and-field background gave him the speed to stretch the field. For his performance, he was named first-team All-Conference USA, the highest individual honor in the conference.
Over his two seasons at Old Dominion, Kuntz established himself as one of the most productive tight ends in the program’s history. His success at the collegiate level drew attention from NFL scouts, who recognized his rare combination of height, length, and athleticism. By the end of his senior season, he had positioned himself as a legitimate professional prospect, despite playing at a smaller program than many of his peers.
New York Jets Era (2023-2025)
Kuntz was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft, taken 220th overall by the New York Jets. Although being a late-round pick meant he faced long odds to make the active roster, the Jets saw enough potential in his athletic profile to bring him into their organization. On August 29, 2023, he was waived as part of final roster cuts but was quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad, allowing him to continue developing within the organization.
On December 27, 2023, Kuntz was promoted to the Jets’ active roster, earning his first opportunity on an NFL game day. He remained with the organization through the following seasons, again being waived and re-signed to the practice squad on August 27, 2024. On January 6, 2025, he signed a reserve and future contract with the Jets, securing his place in the organization. However, on August 24, 2025, he was waived once more as part of the team’s final roster cuts.
Miami Dolphins Era (2026-Present)
Following his release from the Jets, Kuntz’s professional journey took a new turn. On January 14, 2026, he was selected by the DC Defenders of the United Football League, providing him with an opportunity to continue his career in spring professional football. Shortly afterward, on February 6, 2026, he signed a futures contract with the Miami Dolphins of the NFL, choosing the chance to return to the league over a UFL opportunity.
On May 4, 2026, Kuntz was waived by the Miami Dolphins as the team shaped its roster. Despite the release, his career has demonstrated persistence and adaptability, having navigated multiple practice squad moves, active roster promotions, and transitions between organizations across the NFL and UFL.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a tight end, Kuntz is known primarily for his exceptional size and length, which create significant mismatches against smaller defensive backs. His background in track and field, particularly in hurdles, gives him uncommon speed for a player of his stature, allowing him to function as a vertical threat in the passing game. His ability to contribute on special teams early in his career also reflects his willingness to take on multiple roles within an organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Kuntz’s career, his first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2021 stands out as his most significant individual collegiate achievement. Being drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft, while not a marquee selection, marked the realization of a professional dream. His promotion to the New York Jets’ active roster in December 2023 represented his first regular-season opportunity at the highest level of professional football.
Zack Kuntz Career Wins
Zack Kuntz’s career has been defined more by perseverance and developmental milestones than by championship victories. As a player who has spent significant time on practice squads and has transitioned between multiple organizations, his on-field statistical resume at the professional level remains in its early stages. His most celebrated achievements to date have come at the collegiate level, where his All-Conference USA honor remains the cornerstone of his playing record.
College and Professional Highlights
At Old Dominion, Kuntz earned first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2021 after a season in which he recorded 73 receptions for 692 yards and five touchdowns. At the professional level, his most notable moments include being selected in the 2023 NFL draft and earning promotions to the active roster of the New York Jets during the 2023 season. His continued movement between practice squad contracts and active roster opportunities reflects the journeyman path that many late-round tight ends navigate in pursuit of a stable NFL career.
Zack Kuntz Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Zack Kuntz’s immediate family remains limited. What is known is that he was raised in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, a small community in the south-central part of the state. His development as a multi-sport athlete in that environment laid the foundation for his eventual collegiate and professional football career.
Personal Life
Details about Zack Kuntz’s personal life, including marital status and children, have not been publicly disclosed. He has continued to maintain a presence on social media, including accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where he shares updates related to his football career. His residence has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transitional period in Zack Kuntz’s professional career. After signing a reserve and future contract with the New York Jets in January 2025, he entered the year with hopes of securing a spot on the team’s active roster. Throughout the offseason and training camp, he worked to demonstrate his development as a tight end and his value on special teams.
On August 24, 2025, Kuntz was waived by the Jets as part of the team’s final roster cuts, ending his time on the active roster for that season. Following his release, he was not immediately re-signed by another NFL organization, leaving his professional future temporarily uncertain heading into the early months of 2026.
Looking ahead, Kuntz’s career path remained open to multiple possibilities, including opportunities in the United Football League or another NFL franchise. His combination of size, athleticism, and prior experience within NFL organizations positioned him as a candidate worth monitoring as teams finalized their rosters in the months ahead.
