Wisconsin football fans received a glimpse of former Wisconsin tight end Hayden Rucci donning a Miami Dolphins uniform in his X post on Monday.
After five seasons representing the Wisconsin Badgers football program, Rucci signed with the Miami Dolphins after going undrafted during the 2024 NFL draft. He will wear No. 49 for Miami after sporting No. 87 with the Badgers.
The Lititz, Pennsylvania native is among seven former Badgers to make the jump to the NFL this season, joining quarterback Tanner Mordecai (San Francisco 49ers), long snapper Peter Bowden (Green Bay Packers), linebacker Maema Njongmeta (Cincinnati Bengals), cornerback Jason Maitre (Miami Dolphins), interior offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini (Indianapolis Colts) and running back Braelon Allen (New York Jets).
Time to go to work! pic.twitter.com/OYoW0PV3Gi
— Hayden Rucci (@haydenrucci) July 16, 2024
After redshirting his 2019 freshman campaign, Rucci appeared in 35 games for Wisconsin from 2020-23. The Warick high school alumni paced UW tight ends with 11 catches for 125 yards during his senior season and scored his first career touchdown in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at the end of the 2022 campaign.
At 6-foot-4, 247 pounds, Rucci will likely fight for a roster spot before the Dolphins name their 53-man roster by 4:00 p.m. ET on Aug. 27. Tight ends Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill and Jody Fortson Jr. are all listed above the former Badger in Miami’s 2024 depth chart, per ESPN.