Ryan Rehkow
CurrentteamCincinnati Bengals
Number8
PositionPunter
Birth dateSeptember 11, 1998 (age 28)
Birth placeVeradale, Washington, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in4
Weight lb235
High schoolCentral Valley (Spokane Valley, Washington)
CollegeBYU (2020–2023)
Undraftedyear2024
Pastteams
StatusActive
Highlights
Statseason2025
Statlabel 1Punts
Statvalue 1118
Statlabel 2Punting yards
Statvalue 25,888
Statlabel 3Average punt
Statvalue 349.9
Statlabel 4Longest punt
Statvalue 480
Statlabel 5Inside 20
Statvalue 553
PfrRehkRy00

Ryan Rehkow (REE-koh; 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.

Early life

Rehkow 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

Rehkow 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

Kansas City Chiefs

Rehkow was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft.[13] Rehkow was released by the Chiefs on June 13, 2024.[14]

Cincinnati Bengals

On July 26, 2024, Rehkow signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.[15] 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, 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.[16] Furthermore, Rehkow's long of 80 yards in his debut was the longest punt in Bengals franchise history.[17] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[18]

On February 18, 2025, Rehkow and the Bengals agreed to a two-year contract extension.[19]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGPPunting
PuntsYdsLngAvgBlkIns20RetY
2024CIN17532,6038049.1025228
2025CIN17653,2857050.5028277
Career341185,8888049.9053505

Personal life

Rehkow 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 served a mission for the church in London, England. [25]

References

  1. ^ McDonald, Ryan (2 August 2016). "BYU football receives commitment from Washington punter Ryan Rehkow". Deseret News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  2. ^ Lee, Greg (8 August 2016). "Youth notebook: Rehkow commits to BYU". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  3. ^ Drew, Jay (14 October 2020). "Why BYU's new punter has to convince classmates he's not a tight end or a linebacker". Deseret News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Ryan Rehkow 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  5. ^ Gonzalez, Norma (24 September 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 9 March 2024.
  6. ^ Drew, Jay (18 July 2023). "'Unfinished business': Why Ryan Rehkow returned for 2023 season despite graduating last spring". Desert News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  7. ^ Drew, Jay (19 July 2022). "Specialists Jake Oldroyd and Ryan Rehkow on their goals for 2022 season, prospects of returning in 2023". Deseret News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  8. ^ Hunt, Stephen (27 July 2023). "Central Valley grad Ryan Rehkow soaks in experience of Big 12 media days as member of BYU". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  9. ^ Harper, Mitch (September 4, 2023). "BYU Punter Ryan Rehkow Earns Big 12 Player Of The Week". KSL Sports. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  10. ^ Payne, Jackson (3 March 2024). "What Ryan Rehkow shared about being a missionary at NFL combine". Desert News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  11. ^ Harper, Mitch (December 18, 2023). "BYU Punter Ryan Rehkow Declares For 2024 NFL Draft". KSL Sports. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  12. ^ Payne, Jackson (18 December 2023). "This BYU all-conference talent is declaring for the NFL draft". Deseret News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Chiefs Announce Roster Moves". Chiefs.com. May 4, 2024.
  14. ^ https://x.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1801318610087879071
  15. ^ "Bengals Sign Three Free Agents". bengals.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  16. ^ Morrison, Jay (2024-09-09). "Bengals Rookie Punter Bombs Away To Take Lead in Ongoing Battle". Pro Football Network. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  17. ^ Clark, Dave (2024-09-08). "Ryan Rehkow's 80-yard punt in first NFL game is longest in Cincinnati Bengals history". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  18. ^ Marcum, Jason (2025-01-21). "Ryan Rehkow named to PFWA All-Rookie Team after breaking multiple Bengals records". Cincy Jungle. SB Nation. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  19. ^ Conway, Kelsey (2025-02-18). "Cincinnati Bengals contract extension with Ryan Rehkow". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
  20. ^ Greene, Brenna (26 October 2020). "'It's a dream come true': Central Valley's Ryan Rehkow thriving as BYU's punter". KREM.com. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  21. ^ Miller, Lucas (22 October 2021). "BYU's Ryan Rehkow Is an Elite-Level Punter". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  22. ^ "NCAA Football Team Cheers Up LDS Boy with Cancer in Sweetest of Ways". ldsliving.com. 12 Nov 2016. Retrieved 12 Oct 2024.
  23. ^ Drew, Jay (2024-04-25). "NFL draft: Here's what BYU punter Ryan Rehkow is expecting on Saturday when the NFL draft reaches its later rounds". Deseret News. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  24. ^ Toone, Trent (2024-04-30). "2 Latter-day Saint Returned Missionaries Selected in NFL Draft". Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  25. ^ Toone, Trent (3 Oct 2025). "Highlights of Latter-day Saint athletes since April general conference". www.thechurchnews.com. Retrieved 2 May 2026.