John Shenker Bio
John Samuel Shenker is an American professional football tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. Born on September 2, 1998, in Albany, Georgia, he developed into a record-setting pass catcher during his college career with the Auburn Tigers before transitioning to the professional ranks. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Shenker signed with the Raiders and has continued to build his career through practice squad and active roster opportunities.
Early Life and Background
John Samuel Shenker was raised in Albany, Georgia, where he first developed his love for competitive sports. He began organized football at Deerfield-Windsor School before transferring to Colquitt County High School, a program known throughout the region for producing college-level talent. In addition to football, Shenker emerged as a notable baseball player during his youth, an accomplishment strong enough to earn him a place in a national Under-17 baseball training program.
Evaluated as a low-to-middle-tier college football prospect with a two-out-of-five-star rating, Shenker still attracted attention from several programs. He ultimately committed to Auburn University, choosing to pursue his football career in the Southeastern Conference. His combination of size, athleticism, and two-sport versatility gave him a foundation that would later help him thrive as a tight end.
Path to American Football
Shenker arrived at Auburn in 2017 and spent his first year as a redshirt, training with the team without playing in official games. The following season he appeared in every game as a reserve, and in 2019 he started five contests, signaling his growing role within the offense. By 2020, he had earned the starting tight end position and became a reliable target in the Tigers’ passing game.
His breakthrough came during the 2021 season, when he set Auburn single-season records for a tight end with 33 receptions and 413 receiving yards. He also became the first tight end in college football history to record at least 30 receptions and 400 receiving yards in a single season. After the 2021 campaign, Shenker announced on January 1, 2022, that he would use the additional year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic to play one more season at Auburn, where he was elected a team captain.
John Shenker Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
During his early years at Auburn, Shenker focused on physical development and learning the tight end position within a competitive Southeastern Conference program. His redshirt year allowed him to adjust to the speed and complexity of college football while building the frame and skills that would later define his role. Once he joined the active lineup, he contributed on special teams and as a rotational player, gradually earning the trust of his coaching staff.
By the 2019 season, Shenker had worked his way into a starting role for several games, providing a glimpse of the production that would follow. His willingness to block in the running game and stretch the field as a receiver made him a versatile piece of the offense, and he entered the 2020 season positioned as the team’s primary tight end.
Auburn Breakthrough (2020–2022)
The 2020 and 2021 seasons marked the peak of Shenker’s college career. In 2021, his record-setting production placed him among the most productive tight ends in Auburn history. He set the program mark for single-season receptions by a tight end with 33 catches and added 413 receiving yards, surpassing previous benchmarks. He also became the first college tight end to combine at least 30 receptions with 400 or more receiving yards in a single season.
In 2022, Shenker returned for his extra year of eligibility and was elected a team captain. He finished his Auburn career as the all-time leader in receptions by a Tigers tight end with 68 catches, while also appearing in 62 total games for the program. He was also a two-way athlete, playing for the Auburn baseball team in 2020 and 2021.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023–Present)
Following the 2022 college season, Shenker participated in the Tropical Bowl, a college all-star game that allows top prospects to showcase their skills for NFL scouts. He opted not to take part in the NFL Combine, choosing instead to perform at Auburn’s Pro Day, where he posted 27 repetitions on the bench press and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds. Despite his productive college résumé, he went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023.
His first professional year was marked by frequent movement between the active roster and the practice squad. After being released on August 29, 2023, Shenker was added to the practice squad the next day. He was released on October 5, signed again on October 18, and released once more a week later. On December 20, 2023, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad, only to be released six days later. He returned to the Raiders’ practice squad on December 29, 2023, before signing a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.
Heading into 2024, Shenker was waived on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad, then promoted to the active roster on September 28. He was waived on November 1 and re-signed to the practice squad. He is listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall and 251 pounds, giving him the size and athleticism valued at the tight end position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Shenker’s professional journey has been defined by perseverance. Becoming the first tight end in college football history to record 30 receptions and 400 receiving yards in a single season stands as his most significant statistical milestone. His repeated transitions between practice squad and active roster status with the Las Vegas Raiders also highlight his durability and value within the organization.
John Shenker Career Wins
As a tight end, John Samuel Shenker’s career highlights are measured in production, records, and longevity rather than traditional win totals. His most celebrated accomplishments came at Auburn, where he set multiple program records and a national record for tight end production in a single season. While his professional statistics remain limited due to practice squad time, his record of staying in the league reflects a strong work ethic.
Auburn Tigers Highlights
Shenker concluded his Auburn career as the program’s all-time leader in receptions by a tight end, with 68 catches. He also set the single-season Auburn tight end records for receptions (33) and receiving yards (413) during the 2021 season, performances that cemented his place in Tigers history. His 62 career games played for Auburn further demonstrated his consistency and durability.
John Shenker Family
Personal Life
John Samuel Shenker maintains an active presence on social media, where he shares updates about his football career. Limited public information is available about his family and personal relationships, and he tends to keep his private life out of the spotlight.
2025 Season Performance
John Samuel Shenker entered the 2025 offseason with an established connection to the Las Vegas Raiders organization, having been with the franchise in some capacity since May 2023. His familiarity with the team’s system, coaching staff, and offensive scheme positions him as a depth option at tight end. With his size and red-zone profile, he provides a potential mismatch for opposing defenses when called upon.
Shenker’s path to a more permanent role on the active roster will likely depend on his performance in training camp and preseason games. His track record of postseason college production and his continued availability within the organization suggest he remains a player the Raiders are willing to develop. A strong showing in 2025 could translate into a more consistent spot on the 53-man roster.
Looking ahead, Shenker’s versatility as a blocker and pass catcher aligns with the modern demands of the tight end position. If he can translate his college consistency into professional production, he has the opportunity to carve out a long-term role in Las Vegas and build on the foundation he has already established.