Tucker Kraft Bio
Tucker John Kraft is an American professional football tight end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and was selected by the Packers in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Born and raised in South Dakota, Kraft emerged from a small-town program to become one of the top tight end prospects at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. His combination of size, blocking ability, and receiving skills has made him a notable young contributor within the Green Bay offense.
Early Life and Background
Tucker John Kraft was born on November 3, 2000, in Timber Lake, South Dakota. He grew up on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation, a community that shaped his early years and remains a significant part of his identity. In April 2024, he was named an honorary tribal member for his acts of service to the community, and he wears a Cheyenne River Sioux tribal flag on his football helmet alongside the American flag.
Kraft is the son of Doug Kraft, who passed away in 2013. He has two brothers, Cody and Tanner Kraft. The family’s ties to the reservation and the values instilled there have been credited by Kraft as foundational to his work ethic and character.
He attended Timber Lake High School, where he played running back, middle linebacker, and punter on the football team. As a senior, Kraft rushed for 1,405 yards and 24 touchdowns and was named first team All-State. He committed to play college football at South Dakota State over a late offer from Wyoming.
Path to American Football
Kraft’s path to professional football began in earnest at South Dakota State University. He redshirted his true freshman season, preserving a year of eligibility while developing behind more experienced players. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 2020 fall schedule, pushing his first real action into the spring of 2021.
During that delayed spring 2021 season, Kraft caught seven passes for 90 yards, showing enough promise to earn a larger role going forward. His trajectory pointed toward becoming a featured part of the Jackrabbits’ offense as he continued to add strength and refine his route running.
As a redshirt sophomore, Kraft started all 15 of South Dakota State’s games and recorded 65 receptions for 780 yards and six touchdowns. He was named a consensus FCS All-American and earned First-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) honors, cementing his status as one of the premier tight ends in the subdivision.
Tucker Kraft Career
College Career (2019–2022)
Kraft spent his entire college career at South Dakota State, where he developed from a redshirt freshman into a consensus All-American. His growth mirrored the Jackrabbits’ rise as an FCS powerhouse during the early 2020s.
In 2021 and 2022, Kraft was recognized as a First-team All-MVFC performer and an FCS All-American. He was a key contributor on the South Dakota State team that won the FCS national championship in 2022, capping his collegiate career with the highest team honor available at that level.
Green Bay Packers Era (2023–Present)
Kraft was selected in the third round, 78th overall, by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 17, 2023, and immediately began integrating into the team’s offense.
As a rookie in 2023, Kraft appeared in all 17 games and made eight starts. He finished the regular season with 31 receptions for 355 yards and two touchdowns. He scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions and posted a career-high 64 receiving yards on four receptions in Week 14 against the New York Giants. In the Divisional Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Kraft scored his first playoff touchdown.
In May 2024, Kraft suffered a torn pectoral muscle, causing him to miss part of Green Bay’s offseason training program. He returned to full participation and continued his role within the Packers’ offense.
On October 26, 2025, in a Week 8 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on National Tight End’s Day, Kraft caught seven passes for a career-high 143 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers, Kraft suffered a serious knee injury early in the third quarter and was carted into the locker room. An MRI the following day confirmed that he tore his ACL, ending his 2025 season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kraft’s most memorable professional moments is his October 2025 performance against Pittsburgh, when he set a new career high with 143 receiving yards and two touchdowns on National Tight End’s Day. His first NFL touchdown against the Lions and his first playoff touchdown against the 49ers stand out as additional milestones in his young career.
Tucker Kraft Career Wins
Tucker Kraft’s win column is most clearly defined at the collegiate level, where he contributed to South Dakota State’s run to the 2022 FCS national championship. Individual career totals at the NFL level are still developing, as he remains in the early stages of his professional tenure with the Green Bay Packers.
FCS Highlights
Kraft played a central role on the 2022 South Dakota State team that captured the FCS national title. His production as a redshirt sophomore, including 65 receptions for 780 yards and six touchdowns, earned him consensus FCS All-American and First-team All-MVFC recognition in both 2021 and 2022.
Other Achievements & Performances
At the high school level, Kraft rushed for 1,405 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at Timber Lake High School and was named first team All-State. His transition from a small-town running back and linebacker to a top-tier FCS tight end remains one of the more distinctive developmental paths in recent Packers draft history.
Tucker Kraft Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Kraft is the son of Doug Kraft, who passed away in 2013. He grew up alongside two brothers, Cody and Tanner Kraft, and maintains close ties to his family and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation where he was raised.
Kraft is a Christian and carries the nickname “Rez Dawg,” a nod to his upbringing on the reservation. He married Baylee Jandahl, a graphic designer, on May 18, 2024.
2025 Season Performance
Kraft’s 2025 season began with high expectations as he continued to expand his role within the Green Bay offense. Through the early weeks, he served as a reliable target and blocker for the Packers, building on the foundation established during his rookie campaign.
His standout performance came on October 26, 2025, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he caught seven passes for a career-high 143 yards and two touchdowns on National Tight End’s Day. The showing underscored his continued development as a pass-catching tight end at the professional level.
Kraft’s season was cut short in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers, when he suffered a serious knee injury that was later confirmed as a torn ACL. The injury ended his 2025 campaign and placed his recovery and return timeline among the key storylines to monitor in the seasons ahead.