Hayden Rucci Bio
Hayden Rucci, born on January 27, 2001, is an American professional football tight end currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 247 pounds, Rucci plays the tight end position and wears jersey number 83 for the 49ers. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Hayden Rucci was born on January 27, 2001, in Lititz, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Todd Rucci, a former NFL offensive lineman, and he grew up in a family with a strong football pedigree. His grandfather, Tom Gilburg, also played in the NFL, giving Rucci a deep-rooted connection to the sport from an early age. The family environment and athletic lineage helped shape his early interest in football.
Rucci grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and attended Warwick High School in Lititz. He played tight end for the Warwick Warriors, where he quickly established himself as a reliable blocker and pass-catcher. His high school career included standout seasons that drew attention from college recruiters, and he was named first-team All-Lancaster-Lebanon League in both his junior and senior years. Rucci helped Warwick win the Section One championship as a senior and was selected for the Big 33 all-star game, an honor his father had also received.
Path to American Football
During his time at Warwick High School, Rucci developed into a four-star recruit. As a junior, he recorded 19 receptions for 376 yards and three touchdowns, and as a senior, he posted 30 catches for 645 yards and eight scores. He finished his high school career with 58 receptions for 1,129 yards and 12 touchdowns, numbers that caught the attention of several college programs. Rucci ultimately committed to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, a program known for producing NFL talent.
Hayden Rucci Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
At the University of Wisconsin, Rucci played alongside his brother Nolan, an offensive lineman for the Badgers. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2019, preserving a year of eligibility while learning the team’s offensive system. Over the next several seasons, he gradually earned more playing time and experience within the Badgers’ tight end group.
Rucci appeared in six games during the 2020 season, and in 2021 he played in six games again, though his progress was limited by a foot injury. He became a full-time starter during the 2022 season, starting eight of 10 games and posting six receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown came in the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl. In his final college season in 2023, Rucci led the team’s tight ends with 11 receptions for 125 yards. Although he had an extra year of eligibility remaining, he opted to enter the NFL draft, finishing his Wisconsin career with 17 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown.
Miami Dolphins Era (2024–2025)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Hayden Rucci signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. In the 2024 preseason, he led the Dolphins with seven catches for 57 yards, including a touchdown in the third preseason game. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. Throughout the 2024 season, Rucci bounced between the active roster and the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract with the Dolphins on January 9, 2025.
Rucci was waived again on August 26, 2025, as part of the Dolphins’ final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons, where he made his NFL debut and recorded a tackle. He was signed to the active roster on November 8, then waived on November 29, 2025.
Detroit Lions (2025)
On December 1, 2025, Hayden Rucci was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions. His time with the Lions was brief, as he was waived on December 10, 2025.
San Francisco 49ers (2026–Present)
On January 14, 2026, Rucci was signed to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad. Shortly after, on January 22, he signed a reserve/future contract with San Francisco, securing his place with the organization heading into the next phase of his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Rucci is a tight end rather than a driver, his on-field strengths have been well documented. He has long been recognized for his blocking ability, a skill that was noted during his high school years at Warwick. Rucci combines solid size at 6 feet 5 inches and 247 pounds with reliable hands as a pass-catcher, allowing him to contribute in both the running and passing game.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant milestones in Hayden Rucci’s career came when he made his NFL debut for the Miami Dolphins in the team’s Week 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons in 2025, where he recorded a tackle. He also led the Dolphins in receiving during the 2024 preseason with seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown, an early sign of his pass-catching potential at the professional level.
Hayden Rucci Career Wins
As an undrafted free agent who has bounced between practice squads and active rosters across multiple teams, Hayden Rucci is still in the early stages of building his professional resume. His career milestones to date include his NFL debut and his preseason receiving production with the Dolphins. As he continues his career with the San Francisco 49ers, additional achievements and victories are expected to follow.
Hayden Rucci Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hayden Rucci comes from a family with a rich football tradition. His father, Todd Rucci, was a former NFL offensive lineman, and his grandfather, Tom Gilburg, also played in the NFL. This multi-generational connection to professional football provided Rucci with early exposure to the demands and rewards of the sport. Rucci also played college football at Wisconsin alongside his brother Nolan, an offensive lineman for the Badgers, continuing the family’s football legacy at the collegiate level.
Personal Life
Hayden Rucci was raised in Lititz, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County, where he attended Warwick High School. He is the son of Todd Rucci, a former NFL player, and has a brother named Nolan, with whom he played at the University of Wisconsin.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a transitional year for Hayden Rucci. He spent the early portion of the season on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad before being elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons, in which he made his NFL debut and recorded a tackle. He was signed to the Dolphins’ active roster on November 8 but was waived on November 29, 2025.
Following his release from Miami, Rucci was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on December 1, 2025, though he was waived by Detroit on December 10. He was then re-signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad on December 12, 2025, marking his return to the organization where he began his NFL journey.
Heading into the next phase of his career, Rucci signed with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad on January 14, 2026, and secured a reserve/future contract on January 22. This move provides him with an opportunity to compete for a roster spot and continue developing his skills with a new organization known for its strong offensive scheme.