Zack Kuntz
PositionTight end
Birth dateJune 4, 1999 (age 27)
Birth placeHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in7
Weight lb251
High schoolCamp Hill (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania)
College
Draftyear2023
Draftround7
Draftpick220
Pastteams
Highlights
Statseason2023
Statlabel 1Receptions
Statlabel 2Receiving yards
Statlabel 3Touchdowns
PfrKuntZa00

Zackary Patrick Kuntz (born June 4, 1999) is an American professional football tight end. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and Old Dominion Monarchs and was selected by the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL) in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Early life

Kuntz was born on June 6, 1999, in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. He attended Camp Hill High School, where he was a member of their basketball, football, and track & field teams.[1] He had 49 receptions for 793 yards and 11 touchdowns during his sophomore season.[2] As a senior, Kuntz caught 40 passes for 1,060 yards and nine touchdowns.[3] He also won the Pennsylvania Class AA Championship in the 110-meter hurdles as a junior.[4] Kuntz was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at Penn State over offers from Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State.[5]

College career

Kuntz enrolled early and joined the Penn State Nittany Lions in January 2018.[6] He played in one game and caught one pass for eight yards before redshirting his true freshman season.[7] Kuntz played in all 13 of Penn State's games, primarily on special teams, and had two receptions for 18 yards on offense.[8]

After his redshirt sophomore season, Kuntz transferred to Old Dominion.[9] In his first season with the Monarchs, he caught 73 passes for 692 yards and five touchdowns and was named first-team All-Conference USA.[10]

Professional career

New York Jets

Kuntz was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft by the New York Jets.[11] He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.[12][13] He was promoted to the active roster on December 27.[14]

On August 27, 2024, Kuntz was waived by the Jets and re-signed to the practice squad.[15][16] He signed a reserve/future contract with New York on January 6, 2025.[17]

On August 24, 2025, Kuntz was waived by the Jets as part of final roster cuts.[18]

Miami Dolphins

On January 14, 2026, Kuntz was selected by the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL).[19] However, he later signed a futures contract with the Miami Dolphins on February 6.[20] Kuntz was waived by the Dolphins on May 4.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Penn State TE recruit Kuntz to The Opening and then, early, to State College". LNP. May 27, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "Top 2018 TE Zack Kuntz set for Notre Dame return visit". The Herald-Times. September 22, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  3. ^ Juliano, Joe (April 11, 2018). "Penn State seeking to fill some key positions in spring football". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  4. ^ "Penn State commit Zack Kuntz caps track and field career with PIAA gold medal in 110m hurdles". The Patriot-News. May 27, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Conway, Tyler (November 26, 2016). "Zack Kuntz to Penn State: Nittany Lions Land 4-Star TE Prospect". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  6. ^ "Penn State recruit Zack Kuntz has a change of plans". The Patriot-News. May 26, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  7. ^ "Penn State's Zack Kuntz aims for breakout among 'most talented tight end room in the country'". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. July 8, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  8. ^ "Penn State's tight end position is in good hands with Pat Freiermuth this year, but what about the future?". The Patriot-News. April 13, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  9. ^ "Penn State Football: Camp Hill grad, tight end Zack Kuntz announces transfer to Old Dominion". The Saratogian. April 12, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "Could former Penn State, current ODU TE Zack Kuntz be a high NFL draft pick? Adam Breneman weighs in". The Patriot-News. August 20, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  11. ^ "Camp Hill's Zack Kuntz has message for Jets after team takes him in NFL Draft". The Patriot-News. April 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  12. ^ Lange, Randy & Greenberg, Ethan (August 29, 2023). "Final Cuts: Jets Move 31 More to Get Their Roster to 53 Players". NewYorkJets.com
  13. ^ Lange, Randy (August 30, 2023). "Jets Add 10 Players from Their Preseason Roster to the Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com
  14. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (December 27, 2023). "Jets Place OL Duane Brown on Injured Reserve; Sign TE Zack Kuntz". NewYorkJets.com
  15. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (August 27, 2024). "Final Cuts | Jets Move 37 to Get Their Roster to 53 Players". NewYorkJets.com
  16. ^ "Jets Sign 17 Players to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com. August 28, 2024.
  17. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (January 6, 2025). "Jets Sign 10 Players to Reserve/Future Contracts". NewYorkJets.com
  18. ^ Allen, Eric (August 24, 2025). "Jets Release LB Jamin Davis; Waive Six Players". NewYorkJets.com
  19. ^ "Day Two of UFL Draft Introduces New Faces and Ignites the New Era of Spring Football". www.theufl.com. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  20. ^ "Dolphins sign Kuntz to futures contract". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  21. ^ "Dolphins make roster moves". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved 5 May 2026.