Cole Hikutini
Current teamMichigan Panthers
Number80
PositionTight end
Birth dateJune 11, 1994 (age 32)
Birth placeSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in4
Weight lbs240
High schoolPleasant Grove
(Elk Grove, California)
College
Undraftedyear2017
Pastteams
StatusActive
Highlights
Statlabel 1Receptions
Statvalue 12
Statlabel 2Receiving yards
Statvalue 215
Statlabel 3Receiving touchdowns
PfrHikuCo00

Cole Kenna Hikutini (born June 11, 1994) is an American professional football tight end for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at the University of Louisville.

Early life

Hikutini attended Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, California, where he was a two-way player.[1] As a senior, he collected 27 receptions for 536 yards and six touchdowns, receiving second-team All-Delta River League honors as a defensive back.[2] He had 143 receiving yards and one touchdown against Lincoln High School.[3]

College career

Hikutini accepted a football scholarship from Sacramento State. He was redshirted in 2012.[4] As a freshman in 2013, he appeared in nine games, starting the last four, while registering 21 receptions and five touchdowns. He had five receptions for 42 yards and two touchdowns against the University of Montana.[5]

Hikutini transferred to San Francisco City College in 2014. He posted 40 receptions for 658 yards and four touchdowns. He transferred to the University of Louisville after his sophomore season.[6]

As a junior, Hikutini appeared in 11 games (three starts), making 19 receptions (fourth on the team) for 348 yards (fourth on the team) and three touchdowns (tied for second on the team).[7][8] As a senior, playing alongside Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Lamar Jackson, he recorded 50 receptions (led the team) for 668 yards (second on the team) and eight touchdowns (led the team).[9][10] Hikutini suffered a knee injury during the 9-29 Citrus Bowl loss against LSU.

Statistics

SeasonTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgTD
2012Sacramento State00Redshirted
2013Sacramento State94212049.75
2014CC of San Francisco13—4065816.44
2015Louisville1131934818.33
2016Louisville13105066813.48
Career46171301,87814.420

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers

Hikutini was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2017.[11] He was waived on September 2, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[12][13] He was promoted to the active roster on October 14.[14] In Week 7, in the 40–10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, he had his first career NFL reception, a five-yard catch.[15] He was placed on the injured reserve list on November 6.[16]

On September 1, 2018, Hikutini was waived by the 49ers.[17]

Minnesota Vikings

On September 3, 2018, Hikutini was signed to the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad.[18] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings on January 2, 2019.[19] Hikutini was waived by Minnesota on August 31.[20]

Dallas Cowboys

On September 2, 2019, Hikutini was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.[21] On December 30, Hikutini was signed to a reserve/future contract.[22]

On September 4, 2020, Hikutini was waived by the Cowboys and re-signed to the practice squad.[23][24] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 4, 2021.[25] Hikutini was waived by the Cowboys on March 19.[26]

New York Giants

On March 30, 2021, Hikutini was signed by the New York Giants, reuniting with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who was his head coach with the Cowboys in 2019.[27] He was waived/injured on August 24, and placed on injured reserve.[28] He was released on September 2.

Michigan Panthers

On October 7, 2022, Hikutini signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL).[29] On May 4, 2023, he was placed on the inactive list. On May 11, Hikutini was activated. He appeared in nine games (six starts), recording 21 receptions for 239 yards and five touchdowns. Hikutini re-signed with the team on September 24, 2024.[30]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
2017SF402157.5100
Career402157.5100

USFL/UFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamLeagueGamesReceiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
2023MICHUSFL962123911.4365
2024MICHUFL1081220417.0481
2025MICH931316212.3351
Career28174660513.2367

Postseason

YearTeamLeagueGamesReceiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
2023MICHUSFL1034214.0270
2024MICHUFL113155.080
Career216579.5270

Personal life

Hikutini has lived in San Francisco, Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Wilton.

References

  1. ^ "Cole Hikutini's High School Timeline". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  2. ^ Jones, Steve (October 28, 2016). "Hikutini took risk to achieve U of L success". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  3. ^ "Cole Hikutini - Football". University of Louisville Athletics. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Lindsey, Howie (November 28, 2016). "CardinalSports - Hikutini had a breakout season". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  5. ^ "Cole Hikutini". Sacramento State Athletics. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  6. ^ Demling, Jody (December 21, 2014). "JUCO tight end commits to Louisville". Cardinal Authority. 247sports.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  7. ^ "Cole Hikutini 2015 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  8. ^ "2015 Louisville Cardinals Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "Cole Hikutini 2016 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "2016 Louisville Cardinals Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  11. ^ "49ers Sign 6 Draft Picks, 18 Undrafted Free Agents". 49ers.com. May 4, 2017. Archived December 19, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  12. ^ "49ers Cut Roster Down to 53 Players". 49ers.com. September 2, 2017. Archived March 2, 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ "49es Claim DL Xavier Cooper off Waivers, Sign 8 Players to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 3, 2017. Archived January 30, 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ^ "49ers Promote TE Hikutini to Active Roster". 49ers.com. October 14, 2017. Archived March 4, 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  15. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - October 22nd, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  16. ^ "49ers Announce Several Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 6, 2017. Archived January 29, 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ^ "49ers Cut 21 Players, Get Roster Down to 53". 49ers.com. September 1, 2018.
  18. ^ "Vikings Sign TE Cole Hikutini to the Practice Squad". Vikings.com. September 3, 2018. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  19. ^ "Vikings Announce Reserve / Future Free Agent Signings". Vikings.com. January 2, 2019.
  20. ^ "Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster". Vikings.com. August 31, 2019.
  21. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 2, 2019). "Initial Practice Squad Includes New QB, TE, WR". DallasCowboys.com
  22. ^ "Cowboys' Cole Hikutini: Signs reserve/future contract". CBSSports.com. December 31, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  23. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 4, 2020). "2019 Draft Pick Among Four More Cowboys Waived". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  24. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 6, 2020). "Brandon Carr Among 15 Practice Squad Additions". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  25. ^ "Jan. 4 Updates". DallasCowboys.com. January 4, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  26. ^ Alper, Josh (March 19, 2021). "Cowboys sign Malik Turner, cut four players". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  27. ^ "Giants sign three more free agents, including 2 Titans DBs". APNews.com. 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  28. ^ Eisen, Michael (August 24, 2021). "Giants reach NFL's roster limit of 80 players". Giants.com. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  29. ^ "Free Agent Signings". No. 1578418973409886208. October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  30. ^ "The UFL has announced the following transactions". No. 1838726153088934162. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.