Jordan Kunaszyk
Jordan Kunaszyk (born October 15, 1996) is an American football linebacker for the Washington Football Team of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at California and signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
![]() Kunaszyk with Washington in 2021 | |||||
No. 59 – Washington Football Team | |||||
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Position: | Linebacker | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | Sacramento, California | October 15, 1996||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||
Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Roseville (Roseville, California) | ||||
College: | California | ||||
Undrafted: | 2019 | ||||
Career history | |||||
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Roster status: | Active | ||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2020 | |||||
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Player stats at PFR |
Early life and high school
Kunaszyk was born in Sacramento, California and grew up in nearby Roseville, where he attended Roseville High School and played football.[1] In his first year of varsity football, Kunaszyk notched 77 tackles (nine for loss), three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries and was named second team All-Sierra Foothill League and was named first team all league as a senior after recording 101 tackles (21 for loss), 2.0 sacks, one interception and a forced fumble.[2]
College career
![](../I/StanfordCalKunaszyk_(cropped).jpg.webp)
Kunaszyk began his collegiate career at American River College. He was forced to redshirt his true freshman season after breaking his wrist while playing his first snap of the year.[1] The following season he recorded 118 tackles (the most of any California junior college player), three sacks, one forced fumble and three pass breakups and was named first-team All-Big 8 Conference, a Junior College Freshman All-American and the CCCAA NorCal Division Defensive Player of the Year.[3] Following the season he committed to transfer to California for the final three seasons of his NCAA eligibility over offers from Colorado, Iowa State, UNLV and Fresno State.[4]
In his first season with the Bears, Kunaszyk made 51 tackles as a reserve linebacker.[5] As a redshirt junior, he tallied 74 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery despite missing three games to injury.[6] In his final season, Kunaszyk made 148 tackles (11 for loss), four sacks and five forced fumbles with three pass breakups and an interception and was named first team All-Pac-12 Conference and second team All-America by Sports Illustrated.[7]
Professional career
Carolina Panthers
Kunaszyk signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019.[8] He made his NFL debut on September 12, 2019 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing 15 snaps on special teams.[9] Kunaszyk played in nine games, recording seven tackles.[10] Kunaszyk was waived on September 5, 2020.[11]
Washington Football Team
Kunaszyk signed with the practice squad of the Washington Football Team on September 26, 2020.[12] He was elevated to the active roster on November 14 and November 21 for the team's weeks 10 and 11 games against the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[13][14] Kunaszyk was signed to the active roster on November 25, 2020.[15]
References
- Gorcey, Ryan (November 17, 2017). "Jordan Kunaszyk: Miracle Man". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- Karnes, Bea (March 30, 2016). "Cal Football Signs Player From Sacramento Area". Patch.com. University of California Athletics. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- Letourneau, Connor (March 31, 2016). "2-star LB Jordan Kunaszyk signs with Cal". The News-Times. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- Gorcey, Ryan (March 25, 2016). "Beyond the Commitment: Jordan Kunaszyk". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- "2019 Draft Prospect ILB Jordan Kunaszyk Cal Bears". GangGreenNation.com. SB Nation. November 8, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- Simmons, Rusty (April 7, 2018). "Cal linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk always looking to give defense a lift". SFGate.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- Dorsey, Dustin (April 25, 2019). "Meet the Bay Area NFL Draft Prospects: Cal Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk". ABC7News.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- Alper, Josh (April 29, 2019). "Panthers announce signings of Elijah Holyfield, three other undrafted rookies". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- Bryan, Will (September 13, 2019). "Snap Counts: Panthers vs. Buccaneers". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- Faraudo, Jeff (April 24, 2020). "Cal Football: NFL Draft Preview -- Friday Seems Likely Selection Day for Ashtyn Davis". SI.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- Simmons, Myles (September 5, 2020). "Panthers reduce roster to 53 players". Panthers.com.
- Camenker, Jacob. "Washington Football Team signs LB Jordan Kunaszyk to the practice squad". Riggos Rag. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- "Washington Elevates LB Jordan Kunaszyk From Practice Squad". WashingtonFootball.com. November 14, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- "Washington Signs S Cole Luke; Elevates Two Players From Practice Squad". WashingtonFootball.com. November 21, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- Washington Football Team Public Relations. "Washington Elevates LB Jordan Kunaszyk, T David Steinmetz From Practice Squad". WashingtonFootball.com. Retrieved 26 November 2020.