Kyle Juszczyk Bio
Kyle Juszczyk, born April 23, 1991, in Medina, Ohio, is an American professional football fullback who has built a reputation as one of the most versatile offensive contributors in the National Football League (NFL). After a standout college career at Harvard University, he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft and currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers. Known for lining up at fullback, tight end, running back, and wide receiver, Juszczyk is widely regarded as an offensive weapon in modern NFL schemes.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 248 pounds, Juszczyk combines the size of a traditional fullback with the pass-catching skills of a tight end. He is also the first Harvard alumnus ever to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl, a milestone he reached during Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Early Life and Background
Kyle Juszczyk grew up in Medina, Ohio, and attended Cloverleaf High School in nearby Lodi. At Cloverleaf, he played high school football for the Colts as a tight end, where his frame and athleticism first drew attention from college recruiters. He also competed in track and field, winning a Suburban League championship in the shot put, an event that reflected the overall strength that later became a hallmark of his professional career.
Coming from a tight end background rather than a traditional fullback pipeline gave Juszczyk a different skill set than most players at his eventual NFL position. His family encouraged his athletic development, and his blend of size, hands, and blocking toughness set the stage for his college recruitment by Ivy League programs, including Harvard.
Path to American Football
Juszczyk’s route to the NFL ran through Harvard University, where he played tight end for the Crimson from 2009 to 2012 under head coach Tim Murphy. Across four college seasons, he caught 125 passes for 1,576 yards and 22 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most productive tight ends in Ivy League history. Following his senior year in 2012, he was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy League selection, earning the award for the second time in his career.
Despite his college production, scouts projected Juszczyk as a third- or fourth-round pick because he played at Harvard, a program not known for producing NFL-caliber players. NFLDraftscout.com ranked him as the best fullback prospect among the 94 available in his class. Although he was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, he completed all required drills at Harvard’s Pro Day, ultimately convincing the Baltimore Ravens to make him the first fullback drafted from Harvard and only the tenth player in school history to be selected in the NFL Draft.
Kyle Juszczyk Career
Baltimore Ravens (2013–2016)
The Baltimore Ravens selected Juszczyk in the fourth round, 130th overall, of the 2013 NFL Draft and signed him to a four-year, $2.46 million contract that included a $300,574 signing bonus. As a rookie, he entered training camp competing with veteran fullback Vonta Leach and began the season as Leach’s backup. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games during his first year, contributing primarily on special teams and as a blocking fullback.
In 2014, Juszczyk became the Ravens’ starting fullback after the release of Leach and switched his jersey number from 40 to 44, the number he had worn at Harvard. He started 14 games that season and caught his first career touchdown pass, a nine-yard strike from quarterback Joe Flacco against the Cleveland Browns. By 2015, he had set career highs with 42 receptions, 321 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns. In his final Ravens season in 2016, he played the most snaps of any fullback in the NFL and was named to his first Pro Bowl as an original selection.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2017–Present)
After entering free agency in 2017, Juszczyk was widely regarded as the top fullback on the market and received interest from several teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers. On March 9, 2017, he signed a four-year, $21 million contract with the 49ers that included $7 million guaranteed and a $5 million signing bonus, the largest contract ever for a fullback in NFL history. The deal immediately signaled the 49ers’ plan to use him as a versatile offensive weapon under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Juszczyk made an immediate impact in San Francisco, finishing his first 49ers season with 33 receptions for 315 yards and a touchdown, and earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod. He continued to produce steady receiving numbers each year while being deployed in a variety of formations, often lining up in the slot, out wide, or as an H-back. In 2019, he caught three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl LIV, becoming the first Harvard alumnus to score in a Super Bowl and the first fullback to find the end zone in the big game since Mike Alstott in Super Bowl XXXVII.
On March 15, 2021, Juszczyk signed a five-year, $27 million contract extension with the 49ers, further cementing his role as a long-term piece of the offense. He went on to earn Pro Bowl selections every season from 2016 through 2024, a streak of nine consecutive honors. In 2023, he earned first-team All-Pro recognition, and in 2024 he added second-team All-Pro honors. After appearing in Super Bowl LVIII against the Chiefs and recording two receptions for 31 yards in the overtime loss, he was released by the 49ers on March 11, 2025, before re-signing with the team on a two-year, $8 million deal on March 19, 2025, after briefly exploring free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although fullbacks do not typically receive the spotlight, Juszczyk’s value comes from his rare combination of in-line blocking strength and reliable pass-catching ability. Shanahan’s offense deploys him in motion, out of the backfield, and split wide, forcing defenses to account for him on every snap. His football IQ and willingness to take on multiple roles have made him one of the league’s most trusted situational players.
Notable Events and Milestones
Juszczyk’s most defining moment came in Super Bowl LIV, when his touchdown reception made Harvard history. He is also one of only a handful of fullbacks to earn nine consecutive Pro Bowl selections and was part of two 49ers Super Bowl appearances during the Shanahan era. His record-setting 2017 free-agent contract reshaped how teams value the fullback position in modern passing offenses.
Kyle Juszczyk Career Wins
Kyle Juszczyk’s career is defined less by traditional statistical milestones and more by consistent excellence at a position that has been de-emphasized across the NFL. He has earned nine Pro Bowl selections, one first-team All-Pro nod, and one second-team All-Pro honor, along with two first-team All-Ivy selections during his college years. His postseason résumé includes appearances in Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LVIII with the 49ers.
NFL Highlights
Juszczyk has been a Pro Bowl selection every year from 2016 through 2024, including his final Ravens season and every year of his 49ers tenure. His 2019 Super Bowl touchdown stands as the signature postseason moment of his career, and his 2023 first-team All-Pro honor capped a decade of elite play at fullback. He has appeared in two Super Bowls, both with the San Francisco 49ers.
Other Performances
Before the NFL, Juszczyk was a two-time first-team All-Ivy League selection at Harvard, finishing his college career as one of the most productive tight ends in program history. His Ivy League success laid the groundwork for his transition to the modern NFL fullback role.
Kyle Juszczyk Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kyle Juszczyk grew up in Medina, Ohio, where his family supported his early athletic development in football and track and field. His upbringing in Ohio and his high school experience at Cloverleaf helped shape the work ethic that carried him to Harvard and eventually the NFL.
Personal Life
Kyle Juszczyk married Kristin Arceri in July 2019. Kristin Juszczyk gained national attention during the 2023 NFL season after designing a Travis Kelce-inspired puffer jacket that was later worn by pop star Taylor Swift, and she subsequently secured an NFL licensing deal. The couple continues to be a recognizable presence in 49ers and NFL circles.
2025 Season Performance
Kyle Juszczyk’s 2025 campaign begins after a brief stint in free agency. On March 11, 2025, the 49ers released him in a move that head coach Kyle Shanahan framed as a way to give Juszczyk the chance to explore his market before San Francisco attempted to match any offer. After not finding a new team elsewhere, Juszczyk re-signed with the 49ers on a two-year, $8 million deal on March 19, 2025, returning him to the same offense that has featured him since 2017.
Now in his 13th NFL season, Juszczyk continues to serve as a versatile fullback and pass catcher in Shanahan’s scheme. His veteran presence and chemistry with the coaching staff remain valuable for a 49ers team still chasing another Super Bowl run. His performance in 2025 is expected to follow the steady, role-driven production that has defined his career.
With a contract that runs through 2027, Juszczyk has the stability and motivation to extend his streak of consecutive Pro Bowl selections. As one of the league’s premier fullbacks, he remains a key part of San Francisco’s offensive identity heading into the 2025 season.