Selected in the sixth round (217th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.
Started at tight end and logged 32 offensive snaps and 20 special teams snaps in the Week 1 victory at Minnesota. Was targeted three times.
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 2 victory over Chicago, logging 18 offensive snaps and 19 special teams snaps.
In Week 3 vs. Philadelphia, appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense, finishing with 14 special teams snaps and 10 offensive snaps.
Appeared in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 4 victory at New Orleans. Also contributed 19 special teams snaps.
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in Week 6 vs. Detroit, logging 16 special teams snaps and 14 offensive snaps.
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in Week 7 vs. Atlanta, logging 14 special teams snaps and 12 offensive snaps.
In Week 8 at Buffalo, appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense.
Appeared on special teams - playing
a team-high 27 special teams snaps - and in a reserve capacity on offense in Week 9 at Houston.
Appeared primarily on special teams in the Week 10 victory over Tennessee, playing 17 special teams snaps.
In Week 11 at San Francisco, appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense, logging 14 special teams snaps and nine offensive snaps.
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in Week 12 at Indianapolis, finishing with one special teams tackle.
In the Week 13 victory over Carolina, appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense. Recorded one special teams tackle.
In the Week 14 victory over Atlanta, appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense. Logged 23 special teams snaps.
Recorded his first reception of the season in the Week 15 victory at Green Bay, bringing in 2-yard touchdown reception. It marked his second career touchdown.
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 16 win over Jacksonville. Recorded one special teams tackle.
Was inactive for Week 17 vs. New Orleans.
Appeared in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 18 victory at Carolina, playing 23-of-65 offensive snaps.
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in the Wild Card round victory over Philadelphia and the Divisional round contest at Detroit.
Appeared in 49 games over five seasons at Minnesota (2017-21), recording 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
In his final season with the Golden Gophers in 2021, Kieft blocked for an offense that totaled 4,681 yards and averaged 25.5 points per game, earning him All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition.
Set career highs as a fifth-year senior with seven receptions and 101 receiving yards, adding one touchdown.
Appeared in four games, making one touchdown reception in 2020 during a condensed season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Played in 12 games in 2019, blocking for an offense that accumulated its school's third-highest yardage total (5,616) in program history, while throwing for a school record 3,293 passing yards. Minnesota's 443 points scored in 2019 were the second-most in program history.
In 2018, Kieft saw time in all 13 games and was part of an offense that eclipsed 20 touchdowns passing and 20 touchdowns rushing in the same season for the first time since 2006.
Primarily played on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2017, making his collegiate debut vs. Buffalo (8/31/17).
Redshirted as a true freshman in 2016.
Attended Sioux Center High School (Sioux Center, Iowa), where he played both quarterback and linebacker.
Named all-state as a linebacker by the Des Moines Register.
In addition to football, Kieft competed in baseball, track and wrestling.
He was ranked as the No. 7 player in the state of Iowa by ESPN and the No. 10 player in Iowa by 247Sports.
Son of Jerry and Linda Kieft.
