Ko Kieft

Position:
TE
Ht./Wt.:
6-5 / 265
Hometown:
Sioux Center, Iowa
High School:
Sioux Center
Letters:
4
Class:
Redshirt Senior

PRONUNCIATION

HONORS:
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2021)
Academic All-Big Ten (2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017)

2021: Started all 13 games • caught seven passes for 101 yards and one touchdown • blocked for an offense that totaled 4,681 yards and averaged 25.46 points per game. Game-by-Game: Started against Ohio State and blocked for an offense that produced 31 points, 408 total yards (203 rushing, 205 passing) and 24 first downs • started against Miami and protected for an offense that rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two scores • had a four-yard catch at Colorado and blocked for an offense that rushed for four touchdowns and 277 yards • started against Bowling Green • caught two passes for eight yards at Purdue and protected for an offense that gained 294 yards and did not allow a sack • started against Nebraska and blocked for an offense that totaled 396 yards and scored 30 points • made one catch for 21 yards against Maryland and blocked for an offense that rushed for 326 yards and four touchdowns • blocked for an offense that did not allow a sack at Northwestern and one that rushed for four touchdowns and totaled 442 yards of offense (308 rushing and 134 passing) in 40:09 with the ball • caught one ball for 20 yards against Illinois • caught two passes for 48 yards at Iowa, which included a 37-yard touchdown pass from Cole Kramer • blocked for an offense that passed for 196 yards and two touchdowns and one that rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns at Indiana • paved the way for Minnesota to total 274 yards in a win against Wisconsin, which included 18.1 yards per completion • started against West Virginia and helped lead Minnesota to 249 rushing yards and an 18-6 win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

2020 • SENIOR SEASON: Played in four games • caught two passes for 29 yards and one touchdown. Game-by-Game: Caught his first career touchdown - a 14-yard pass from Tanner Morgan - against Michigan and ended the game with two catches for 29 yards • missed the Maryland and Illinois game • started against Iowa • blocked for an offense that totaled 394 yards (264 passing; 130 rushing and five rushing TDs) against Purdue and did not allow a sack • missed the Nebraska game • competed at Wisconsin.

2019 • JUNIOR SEASON: Played in 12 games • blocked for an offense that totaled 5,616 yards (third most in school history), threw for 3,293 yards (school record) and scored 443 points (second most in school history in the modern era). Game-by-Game: Started against South Dakota State • saw action at Fresno State, against Georgia Southern and at Purdue • blocked for an offense that rushed for 332 yards and two touchdowns and one that threw for three touchdowns against Illinois • competed against Nebraska and helped pave the way for Minnesota to rush for 322 yards and four touchdowns • returned to the starting lineup against Maryland and blocked for an offense that scored 52 points, totaled 498 yards and did not allow a sack • protected for an offense that completed 90% of its passes (18-of-20) and threw for 339 yards and three touchdowns against Penn State • provided protection for an offense that threw for 368 yards and one touchdown at Iowa • protected for an offense that rushed for 212 yards and one touchdown and threw for 211 yards and four touchdowns at Northwestern • competed against Wisconsin • protected for an offense that gained 494 yards against Auburn and did not allow a sack in the Outback Bowl.

2018 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Played in all 13 games and started three • made one catch for 19 yards and also caught a two-point conversion pass • blocked for a Minnesota offense that averaged 28.9 points per game (tied for second most in a season since 2005) and one that rushed for 23 touchdowns and threw for 20 touchdowns (first time since 2006 Minnesota reached 20 passing and rushing touchdowns in a season). Game-by-Game: Caught a two-point conversion from Seth Green against Fresno State • lone reception went for 19 yards at Maryland.

2017 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Played in 12 games, mostly on special teams • made two catches for 17 yards. Game-by-Game: Made his Minnesota and collegiate debut on special teams against Buffalo • made one catch (first of his career) for five yards against Michigan State • caught one pass for 12 yards against Illinois.

2016: Redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Sioux Center High School • three-year letterwinner and played linebacker and quarterback for the Warriors • named Des Moines Register All-State as a linebacker • as a senior, he completed 112 passes for 1,937 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air, while also rushing for 470 yards and 11 scores • paced the team with 50.5 tackles, including 7.0 tackles-for-loss, and three sacks while also securing an interception • as a junior, led team with 72 tackles, including 14.0 tackles-for-loss, and returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown • threw for 907 yards and 10 touchdowns as the starting quarterback • as a sophomore, tallied 42 tackles, including a sack, and recovered a pair of fumbles • coached by Tim Van Regenmorter • also lettered in baseball, track and wrestling • ranked as a three-star prospect by ESPN and a two-star prospect by Rivals, Scout and 247Sports • ESPN had him as the No. 7 player in the state, while 247Sports listed him at No. 10 in Iowa • 247Sports ranked him as the No. 2 athlete overall in Iowa.

PERSONAL: Son of Jerry and Linda Kieft • has one brother (Tim) and one sister (Nikki).