Introduction
Tucker Kraft has emerged as one of the intriguing young tight ends in the Green Bay Packers’ roster. With his imposing frame, solid production in college, a compelling personal story, and athletic testing that stands out, there’s plenty to cover. In this article we’ll dive into where he went to college, his family background, tattoos (what we know so far), his 40-yard dash time and other combine metrics, and wrap with FAQs to answer what fans often ask.
College Journey
Where did he go to college?
Kraft played his college football at South Dakota State University (SDSU) for the Jackrabbits from 2019 to 2022.
-
He redshirted his true freshman year, then gradually grew into a major contributor.
-
In his breakout sophomore season (2021) he posted ~65 catches for 780 yards and six touchdowns.
-
He helped SDSU to an FCS National Championship in 2022.
-
He finished his collegiate career with 99 receptions for 1,218 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Why it matters
Choosing SDSU meant he stayed close to home (he grew up in South Dakota) and helped build a winning culture at the FCS level. His success at SDSU gave him the platform to be drafted into the NFL despite playing outside the FBS “power-5” spotlight.
Family Background
Parents & early life
-
Tucker Kraft was born November 3, 2000 in Timber Lake, South Dakota.
-
His father was Doug Kraft, his mother is Tausha Walter.
-
Tragically, his father died June 6, 2013, in a small-plane crash.
Siblings
Tucker has two older brothers: Cody and Tanner.
Personal and community aspects
As noted, he grew up on or near the boundary of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe reservation and in 2024 he was named an honorary member for his service.
His family story, small-town roots and overcoming personal tragedy all feed into the narrative of his rise.
Tattoos & Personal Expression
There’s less publicly verified content about his full tattoo collection, but a few datapoints:
-
He visited a tattoo studio in Green Bay, Artrageous Ink Tattoo Studio, where he got a tattoo.
-
Reddit users note that one of his visible tattoos is of the Old Stone Church north of his hometown, in honor of his father.
-
Given his heritage ties, community involvement and identity, his tats seem to carry personal meaning rather than just aesthetics.
So while we don’t have a full “gallery” of every tattoo, we can say: yes, he has meaningful tattoos that reflect family and roots.
40-Time & Athletic Testing
Athleticism is a key part of his appeal. Here’s a breakdown of his 40-yard dash and other combine metrics:
-
Official 40-yard dash time: 4.69 seconds at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
-
Additional testing: 10-yard split ~1.59 seconds, 20-yard shuttle ~4.29 seconds.
-
Pro Day improvement: He ran unofficial ~4.6 or even ~4.5 in his Pro Day.
Why that matters
For a tight end standing 6-5, ~259 lbs, a 4.69 40 is very solid—it shows above-average speed for the position. Scouts look for tight ends who can stretch the field, separate from linebackers and safeties; these numbers helped his draft stock.
Context
-
At SDSU, he built a production track record, but his combine numbers confirmed he had the athletic profile to transition to the NFL.
-
His broad jump, vertical and shuttle times also indicate his mobility, change-of-direction and burst—all good signs for his role as a receiving tight end.
GIFs & Visual Highlights
While this article cannot embed interactive GIFs, here are strong visual moments you can reference or use:
-
His 57-yard touchdown reception at Northern Iowa in 2022.
-
First NFL touchdown catch with the Packers.
-
Highlight reels of his high school multi-position dominance and college breakout. (YouTube/Shorts available).
These highlight plays help illustrate his athletic ability, route running and catch-after-the-catch traits.
Why Tucker Kraft Matters
-
He represents the “underdog” story: small town, FCS program, overcoming personal loss, then making it to the NFL.
-
He has the physical/athletic traits (size, speed, agility) to be more than a blocking tight end; he can be a receiving threat.
-
His versatility and route-running give his team (Green Bay) another dimension in the offense.
-
He has character points — community involvement, family story, personal drive — which matter in media & fan narratives.
FAQs
Q1: Where did Tucker Kraft go to college?
A: He attended South Dakota State University, playing for the Jackrabbits from 2019–2022.
Q2: What is his 40-yard dash time?
A: He officially ran a 4.69 second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine.
Q3: What’s his family background?
A: His father, Doug Kraft, passed away in 2013 in a plane crash. His mother is Tausha Walter, and he has two brothers, Cody and Tanner.
Q4: Does he have tattoos? What are they about?
A: Yes—he has tattoos including one of the Old Stone Church near his hometown, as tribute to his father.
Q5: How did he perform in college?
A: He had a strong college career: for example, in 2021 he had ~65 catches for 780 yards and 6 TDs. He finished his career at SDSU with ~1,218 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.
Q6: What number does he wear in the NFL and for which team?
A: He wears number 85 for the Green Bay Packers.
Q7: What makes him a special tight end asset?
A: His combination of size (6-5, ~259 lbs), speed (4.69 40), production at college and steady improvement make him a receiving threat in addition to traditional tight end roles.
Conclusion
Tucker Kraft’s story is compelling both on and off the field. From Timber Lake, South Dakota to the NFL, his journey through college at South Dakota State, his athletic testing numbers (including a 4.69 40-yard dash), his family story, tattoos and community work all paint the picture of a modern tight end with potential. Whether you’re a fan of the Packers, a fantasy football follower or simply a football enthusiast, he’s a name worth watching.
Leave a Reply