A blocking-first tight end from an NFL family who has bounced across four organizations while trying to stick on a 53-man roster.
Hayden Rucci comes from NFL bloodlines, the son of former New England Patriots lineman Todd Rucci and grandson of NFL veteran Tom Gilburg. The Lancaster County, Pennsylvania native played tight end at Wisconsin before going undrafted, and he has since worked his way through Miami, Detroit and now San Francisco's roster.
Path to the league
Rucci starred at Warwick High School in Lititz, Pennsylvania, before committing to Wisconsin as a four-star recruit. He played for the Badgers from 2019-2023, redshirting as a true freshman and finishing his college career with 17 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown, then signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Career highlights
Rucci's role at Wisconsin grew each year, culminating in a 2023 season where he led the Badgers' tight ends with 11 catches for 125 yards. He is known primarily as a blocking tight end, a skill set that has kept him in the mix on practice squads around the league. His father Todd played eight NFL seasons on the offensive line for New England, and his brother Nolan also played tight end at Wisconsin before transferring to Penn State.
2025 season recap
Rucci moved between the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and back to Miami's practice squad during the 2025 season before signing with the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad in January 2026, giving him a new opportunity to make an NFL roster as a blocking tight end.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Hayden Rucci
- Pro Football Reference: Hayden Rucci
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Wisconsin
- Hometown
- Lititz, PA, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
