Ryan Rehkow (born September 11, 1998) is an American professional football punter for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was signed in 2024 by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
| No. 8 – Cincinnati Bengals | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Punter |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 11, 1998 Veradale, Washington, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Central Valley (Spokane Valley, Washington) |
| College: | BYU (2020–2023) |
| Undrafted: | 2024 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Roster status: | Active |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
editRehkow grew up in Veradale, Washington and attended Central Valley High School where he lettered in football and basketball. Coming out of high school, Rehkow decided to commit to play college football for the BYU Cougars.[1][2]
College career
editRehkow made his first punt in week one of the 2020 season against Navy which traveled 56 yards.[3] Rehkow finished the 2020 season punting 28 times for an average of 45.1 yards per punt and a rush for 49 yards.[4] In week three of the 2021 season, Rehkow set a BYU school record with an 83-yard punt versus Arizona State.[5] In the 2021 season, Rehkow punted 40 times for an average of 48.6 yards per punt, as he was on the Ray Guy Award watch list throughout the season.[6] For his performance on the 2021 season, Rehkow was named the Pro Football Network independent punter of the year.[7] During the 2022 season, Rehkow punted 40 times for an average of 46.2 yards per punt and a long of 71.[8] In the 2023 season opener, Rehkow was named the co-Big 12 special team player of the week after punting nine times for an average of 53.2 yards, a long of 65, and four punts inside the 20-yard line, as he helped the Cougars to a 14-0 win over Sam Houston.[9] During the 2023 season Rehkow punted 68 times for an average 48.3 yards, where for his performance on the season he was named second team all Big-12.[10] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Rehkow declared for the 2024 NFL draft.[11][12]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4+3⁄8 in (1.94 m) |
235 lb (107 kg) |
31+1⁄4 in (0.79 m) |
8+7⁄8 in (0.23 m) | |||||||||
| All values from NFL Combine[13][14] | ||||||||||||
Kansas City Chiefs
editRehkow was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft.[15] Rehkow was released by the Chiefs on June 13, 2024.[16]
Cincinnati Bengals
editOn July 26, 2024, Rehkow signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.[17] Rehkow, an undrafted rookie free agent, won the starting punter job and made the Bengals' 53 man roster. In his professional debut on September 8, 2024, Rehkow set the NFL record for gross punt average in a game, with a 64.5 yard average on four punts, breaking the previous mark of 63.6 set by AJ Cole III in 2023.[18] Furthermore, Rehkow's long of 80 yards in his debut was the longest punt in Bengals franchise history.[19]
Personal life
editRehkow is the younger brother of former NFL kicker, Austin Rehkow.[20][21] His youngest brother, Cameron Tyler Rehkow, had leukemia at the age of 11.[22] He married his wife Hadlee in 2022.[23]
Rehkow is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,[24] and he served a mission for the church in London, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain.
References
edit- ^ McDonald, Ryan (August 2, 2016). "BYU football receives commitment from Washington punter Ryan Rehkow". Deseret News. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Greg (August 8, 2016). "Youth notebook: Rehkow commits to BYU". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Drew, Jay (October 14, 2020). "Why BYU's new punter has to convince classmates he's not a tight end or a linebacker". Deseret News. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "Ryan Rehkow 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez, Norma (September 24, 2021). "Punter Ryan Rehkow has etched his name into BYU's record book, but the Cougar offense hopes to keep him off the field". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Drew, Jay (July 18, 2023). "'Unfinished business': Why Ryan Rehkow returned for 2023 season despite graduating last spring". Desert News. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Drew, Jay (July 19, 2022). "Specialists Jake Oldroyd and Ryan Rehkow on their goals for 2022 season, prospects of returning in 2023". Deseret News. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Hunt, Stephen (July 27, 2023). "Central Valley grad Ryan Rehkow soaks in experience of Big 12 media days as member of BYU". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Harper, Mitch. "BYU Punter Ryan Rehkow Earns Big 12 Player Of The Week". KSL Sports. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Payne, Jackson (March 3, 2024). "What Ryan Rehkow shared about being a missionary at NFL combine". Desert News. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Harper, Mitch. "BYU Punter Ryan Rehkow Declares For 2024 NFL Draft". KSL Sports. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Payne, Jackson (December 18, 2023). "This BYU all-conference talent is declaring for the NFL draft". Deseret News. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "Ryan Rehkow Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Ryan Rehkow College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "Chiefs Announce Roster Moves". Chiefs.com. May 4, 2024.
- ^ https://x.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1801318610087879071
- ^ "Bengals Sign Three Free Agents". bengals.com. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "Bengals Rookie Punter Bombs Away To Take Lead in Ongoing Battle". Pro Football Network. September 9, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Clark, Dave (September 8, 2024). "Ryan Rehkow's 80-yard punt in first NFL game is longest in Cincinnati Bengals history". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Greene, Brenna (October 26, 2020). "'It's a dream come true': Central Valley's Ryan Rehkow thriving as BYU's punter". KREM.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Lucas (October 22, 2021). "BYU's Ryan Rehkow Is an Elite-Level Punter". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "NCAA Football Team Cheers Up LDS Boy with Cancer in Sweetest of Ways". ldsliving.com. November 12, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Drew, Jay (April 25, 2024). "NFL draft: Here's what BYU punter Ryan Rehkow is expecting on Saturday when the NFL draft reaches its later rounds". Deseret News. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ Toone, Trent (April 30, 2024). "2 Latter-day Saint Returned Missionaries Selected in NFL Draft". Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Retrieved November 3, 2024.