Tight end Tucker Kraft became the rare FCS prospect to leave school with eligibility remaining when he announced his declarations for the 2023 NFL draft. Kraft enters the draft now after lead South Dakota State to its first FCS title in program history.
Here's more on Kraft's college football career.
The vitals on Tucker Kraft
School: South Dakota State
Position: Tight end
Height: 6-5
Weight: 255 pounds
Years active: 2019-22
Here are Kraft's career stats in college.
| YEAR | GAMES | REC | REC YDS | REC TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | 7 | 7 | 90 | 0 |
| 2021 | 15 | 65 | 773 | 6 |
| 2022 | 9 | 27 | 348 | 3 |
| Career | 32 | 99 | 1,211 | 9 |
Jackrabbit football star @TuckerKraft made it official today that he is entering the NFL draft after this season at SDSU. Here is our story from tonight's episode of Midco Magazine on his path to the pros: The Tale of Tucker Kraft.#MidcoSports x #MidcoMAG | @GoJacksFB pic.twitter.com/fWw3tB7lWG
— 📣 Midco Sports (@MidcoSports) November 22, 2022
What kind of prospect was Kraft in high school?
Tucker Kraft was a versatile athlete at Timber Lake High School in Timber Lake, South Dakota. Kraft played running back, quarterback, middle linebacker and punter in high school, where he finished with 3,130 rushing yards, 50 touchdowns on offense and 142 tackles and eight sacks on defense. Kraft also played basketball where he earned Second-Team All-State honors and averaged 14.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.
THROW IT DOWN @TuckerKraft 🔨💥 pic.twitter.com/8xeatBTntP
— Hudl (@Hudl) March 7, 2019
What was Kraft's record in college?
Kraft and South Dakota State finished a combined 33-7 during his final three years. After redshirting as a freshman, Kraft advanced to the FCS Championship game in two of his final three years, winning the 2022 FCS championship.
👀 COLLEGE CAREERS OF NFL STARS
2023 NFL Draft QBs: Bryce Young | C.J. Stroud | Will Levis | Anthony Richardson | Hendon Hooker
2023 NFL Draft Off. Skill: Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Jordan Addison | Quentin Johnston | Zay Flowers | Bijan Robinson
2023 NFL Draft DL: Jalen Carter | Will Anderson Jr. | Myles Murphy | Tyree Wilson
2023 NFL Draft FCS: Tucker Kraft | Andrei Iosivas | Hunter Luepke
2022 NFL Draft: Christian Watson | Brock Purdy | Bailey Zappe | Skylar Thompson | Isiah Pacheco
2021 NFL Draft: Trevor Lawrence | Trey Lance | Ja'Marr Chase | Justin Fields | Mac Jones | DeVonta Smith
2020 NFL Draft: Joe Burrow | Tua Tagovailoa | Tee Higgins | Jalen Hurts
2019 NFL Draft: Kyler Murray | Deebo Samuel | Gardner Minshew II | Miles Sanders | A.J. Brown
2018 NFL Draft: Lamar Jackson | Baker Mayfield | Josh Allen | Darius Leonard
2017 NFL Draft: Patrick Mahomes | Deshaun Watson | Cooper Kupp |
Juju Smith-Schuster | Haason Reddick
2016 NFL Draft: Carson Wentz | Jalen Ramsey | Chris Jones
2014 NFL Draft: Aaron Donald | Odell Beckham Jr. | Khalil Mack | Jerick McKinnon
FCS alums: Jimmy Garoppolo | Taylor Heinicke
Legends: Tom Brady | Jackie Robinson | Deion Sanders | Cam Newton
More: Matthew Stafford | Travis Kelce
Which awards did Kraft win in college?
Here are the awards and honors Kraft won in college:
- Third-Team AP All-American (2022)
- Third-Team Stats Perform FCS All-American (2022)
- First-Team All-MVFC (2022)
- First-Team HERO Sports FCS All-American (2021)
- First-Team Stats Perform FCS All-American (2021)
- Second-Team AP FCS All-American (2021)
- HERO Sports Sophomore All-American (2021)
- First-Team All-MVFC (2021)
Pardon my killer demeanor, but I’m not doing this for me. Ready to throw down with my boys again! pic.twitter.com/tv4U2qpVHP
— Tucker Kraft (@TuckerKraft) May 3, 2022
