Andrew Rupcich Bio
Andrew Rupcich (born April 1, 1999) is an American professional football guard for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Culver–Stockton Wildcats and entered the NFL after signing with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 147 kilograms, he is recognized for his durability, work at offensive tackle and guard, and his unusual path from the NAIA level to the professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Rupcich was born on April 1, 1999, in Wonder Lake, Illinois. He grew up in the McHenry area and attended McHenry High School, where he played both basketball and football. On the gridiron, he was a two-way lineman and was selected all-conference at right tackle as a senior, establishing the foundation for a future along the offensive line.
Rupcich qualified for college late and, rather than attend a junior college or walk on at a higher-level program, chose to play college football with the Culver–Stockton Wildcats of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). That decision launched a college career that would later make him one of the most decorated players in the history of the Culver–Stockton program.
Path to Professional Football
At Culver–Stockton, Rupcich gained a starting role at left tackle as a freshman in 2017 and went on to play every snap for the rest of his collegiate career. He started all 11 games in 2017 and repeated the feat in 2018, when he was named first-team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) North Division and was also chosen as the school’s athlete of the year.
In 2019, he started all 11 games at left tackle and was selected first-team All-HAAC North Division for a second consecutive year, becoming the first repeat honoree at Culver–Stockton since 2014 while helping the program post its first winning season since 2001. He was also chosen a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the fifth All-American in school history and the first since 2007. Rupcich also gained notice that year for throwing a 44-yard pass, which earned him the Banner Society Piesman Award.
Andrew Rupcich Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Rupcich started all four games at left tackle in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, earning first-team AFCA All-American and first-team All-HAAC North Division honors. He became Culver–Stockton’s first two-time All-American. After returning for a final year in 2021, he started all 11 games and was a first-team All-American from the Associated Press, the NAIA, and the AFCA, while also earning first-team All-HAAC North Division recognition for a fourth time.
He ended his collegiate career having appeared in and started all 48 games in five seasons without missing a snap, becoming the first player in NAIA history to be named first-team All-American at the same position three times. NFL analyst Dane Brugler described him as “Overall … one of the best offensive linemen to ever come from the NAIA level.” Rupcich graduated in December 2021 with a degree in physical education and health, and was also invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, the NFL Scouting Combine, the College Gridiron Showcase, and the Hula Bowl.
Tennessee Titans Era (2022–2025)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Andrew Rupcich was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. He was released at the final roster cuts on August 30 and was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He did not appear in any games in his first season, spending the entire year on the practice squad as the Titans finished with a record of 7–10.
Rupcich signed a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2023. He was released at the final roster cuts on August 29, 2023, and then re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 10 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making his debut in the 20–6 loss by appearing on 45 offensive snaps and three special teams snaps after coming in at right guard for the injured Andre Dillard. He became the third Culver–Stockton NFL player in history, following Bob Hendren (1949–1951) and Jason Kaiser (1998–1999). Rupcich was signed to the 53-man roster on December 23 and finished the season having appeared in five games, two as a starter.
Rupcich appeared in the first seven games of the 2024 season, playing 16 offensive snaps as a rotational right guard and 22 snaps on special teams, but suffered a season-ending tricep tear during a Week 8 game against the Detroit Lions. He was placed on injured reserve on November 2 and was later ruled out for the year. On August 26, 2025, Rupcich was waived by the Titans as part of final roster cuts and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day, before being released on September 29, 2025.
New England Patriots Era (2025–Present)
On September 30, 2025, Andrew Rupcich signed with the New England Patriots’ practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move reunited him with an opportunity at guard, a position he has played throughout his time in the NFL. As a versatile interior lineman with starting experience, he provides depth and competition along the Patriots’ offensive front.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rupcich is regarded as a technically sound and durable offensive lineman whose strengths stem from his extensive college starting experience and the conditioning that allowed him to play every collegiate snap across five seasons. His work at both tackle and guard has made him a flexible piece for an offensive line, while his practice-squad development with the Titans sharpened his understanding of NFL pace and assignments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rupcich’s signature achievements include his three-time first-team All-American selection at the same position, a first in NAIA history, and his NFL debut in 2023 with the Tennessee Titans. He also became only the third Culver–Stockton player ever to reach an NFL roster, marking a notable milestone for the small-college program.
Andrew Rupcich Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Andrew Rupcich’s parents and broader family background is limited. He grew up in Wonder Lake, Illinois, and developed his football foundation at McHenry High School, where he was a two-way lineman and an all-conference right tackle as a senior. There is no widely reported racing lineage, and details about his immediate family remain private.
Personal Life
Andrew Rupcich is based in the United States, and his professional life has centered on the communities of his NFL teams in Tennessee and New England. He has not publicly confirmed a spouse or children, and he continues to keep most of his personal life away from the public eye.
2025 Season Performance
Andrew Rupcich’s 2025 season began with the Tennessee Titans, where he was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was released by the Titans on September 29, 2025, ending a four-year stretch with the organization that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
The following day, on September 30, 2025, Rupcich signed with the New England Patriots’ practice squad, giving him a fresh opportunity to compete for a role on the active roster. His familiarity with both guard and tackle, combined with regular-season and special-teams experience, positions him as a candidate to be elevated when New England needs offensive line depth.
Looking ahead, Rupcich’s outlook with the Patriots will depend on his ability to impress on the practice field and translate that work into game-day opportunities. Given his history of steady development, durability, and position versatility, he remains a player to watch along the New England offensive line as the 2025 season progresses.