Tag: Hayden Rucci

Dolphins bring back rookie TE to practice squad

A day after moving Tanner Conner to the injured reserve, the Dolphins reunited with a rookie they released three weeks ago.

Three weeks after the Miami Dolphins released Hayden Rucci from the practice squad, the rookie tight end is back on the roster.

Rucci, 23, first joined the Dolphins as an undrafted rookie after the 2024 NFL draft. The former Wisconsin Badgers tight end was waived at the end of training camp and added to the practice squad, but was cut near the end of October to make room for the additions of quarterback C.J. Beathard and wide receiver Tarik Black.

The decision to bring back Rucci comes after third-year tight end Tanner Conner was moved to the injured reserve Tuesday.

While Rucci hasn’t yet appeared in a regular season game in his career, the rookie was a preseason standout with seven receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown.

The Dolphins had a vacant spot on the practice squad after signing defensive tackle Neil Farrell to the active roster Monday ahead of a Week 10 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

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Dolphins add QB, WR to practice squad, cut ties with TE Hayden Rucci

The Dolphins now have five quarterbacks under contract.

The Miami Dolphins signed quarterback C.J. Beathard and wide receiver Tarik Black to their practice squad Wednesday, the team announced.

The Dolphins had one open spot on their practice squad after the Carolina Panthers signed Jonathan Harris on Tuesday. To make space for the duo they signed Wednesday, the Dolphins released rookie tight end Hayden Rucci.

Beathard, 30, was reportedly on the Dolphins’ “short list” back in September when Tua Tagovailoa was injured. The former Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers quarterback spent time with Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel early in his career. But Miami opted to sign Tim Boyle to the practice squad, instead.

With Tyler Huntley dealing with a shoulder injury and Tagovailoa still technically on the injured reserve, the addition of Beathard gives the Dolphins another passer to work with ahead of the expected Week 8 return of Tagovailoa.

Black, 26, has spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s only appeared in one career game, though, finishing with one reception for 10 yards in a 2021 game with the Jets.

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Former Wisconsin tight end signs to Miami Dolphins practice squad

Former Wisconsin tight end signs to Miami Dolphins practice squad

Former Wisconsin tight end Hayden Rucci signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad on Wednesday.

The Dolphins recently released Rucci while cutting their roster to the required total of 53 players. He was unable to crack the top tight end group of Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger to make an NFL 53-man roster entering 2024 regular season

The former Badger impressed since joining the team as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft. He put a stamp on a strong training camp by hauling in a 20-yard touchdown in the Dolphins’ preseason finale. His overall preseason stats include five receptions, 44 yards and that one touchdown.

That output was not enough for Rucci to crack the Week 1 53-man roster, but it was enough to secure him a spot on the Dolphins’ practice squad.

Rucci’s ascension is somewhat of a surprise after he wasn’t much of a receiving threat during his four-year Wisconsin career (2020-2023). He caught just 17 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown during that time, most of that production coming in 2023.

His style as a blocking-first tight end did not mesh with Phil Longo’s air raid attack. It should mesh with NFL teams, especially one like the Dolphins with a dynamic offense. Then if the former Badger develops his receiving abilities, he could find a consistent home on the active roster.

Rucci is one of three former Badger to sign with an NFL team after going undrafted in April. ILB Maema Njongmeta made the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster and QB Tanner Mordecai signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. 

Miami Dolphins release former Wisconsin tight end

Miami Dolphins release former Wisconsin tight end

The Miami Dolphins released former Wisconsin Badgers tight end Hayden Rucci on Tuesday. The roster move comes as the team cut its roster to the 53-player limit to enter the season.

Rucci had impressed during the Dolphins’ preseason action after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL draft. He caught seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown, in addition to showcasing his dependability as a blocking tight end.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger to make an NFL 53-man roster entering 2024 regular season

In the end, his strong play was not enough to crack the Dolphins active roster entering 2024. He will likely sign to the team’s practice squad, where he will await an opportunity to join the active roster.

The Dolphins enter the season with Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner in their tight end room.

Rucci is beginning his NFL career after four years with the Badgers (2020-2023). He was never a big receiving option during his college career, totaling 17 catches, 200 yards and one touchdown.

The former Badger’s ability as a blocker is his most redeemable trait at the professional level. But if the 2024 preseason was any indication, he could become a reliable option in the passing game.

Rucci’s stock is rising entering his first NFL season despite not making the Dolphins’ Week 1 roster.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. 

Legendary Wisconsin fullback reacts to former Badger Hayden Rucci’s first NFL TD

Legendary Wisconsin fullback reacts to former Badger Hayden Rucci’s first NFL TD

Badger blood runs deep in the NFL.

On Friday, former Badger tight end Hayden Rucci found the end zone on a 20-yard strike from Dolphins’ quarterback Skylar Thompson during the team’s NFL Preseason Week 3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While being interviewed during the preseason action, Badger alumnus Alec Ingold couldn’t hide his excitement for Rucci as he corralled the touchdown pass.

After answering a question, Ingold looked up at the scoreboard to witness his Badger brother in the end zone. Rucci ultimately led the Dolphins in receiving with five catches for 44 yards during their preseason finale.

Rucci, who signed with Miami as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft, played five seasons at Wisconsin from 2019-23. In his final season, Lititz, Pennsylvania native led UW’s tight end room with 11 catches for 125 total yards.

The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher finished the preseason with five total catches on six targets, 57 yards and a touchdown. He is currently vying for a spot on Miami’s 53-man roster, which will be finalized on Aug. 27 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Ingold, who left Madison with 103 carries, 343 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 51 total appearances, earned his first career Pro Bowl appearance in 2023. He is penciled in to start for Miami at full back this season.

The Dolphins begin their quest for postseason success against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 8.

WATCH: Former Wisconsin tight end scores touchdown in Miami Dolphins preseason finale

WATCH: Former Wisconsin tight end scores touchdown in Miami Dolphins preseason finale

Former Wisconsin tight end Hayden Rucci is making a late push to make the Miami Dolphins 53-man roster.

The former Badger led the Dolphins in receiving with five catches for 44 yards and a touchdown in the team’s NFL Preseason Week 3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger currently on an NFL roster entering 2024 training camp

The loss Friday was Rucci’s final big chance to leave an impression on the Dolphins coaching staff before the roster is finalized this week. He will finish the preseason period with five total catches on six targets, 57 yards and a touchdown.

Here’s the main highlight from Rucci’s big night. He split the Buccaneers’ defense before Skylar Thompson hit him in stride for a 20-yard score.

Rucci was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft. He played for five seasons at Wisconsin (2019-23), two as the primary starter.

His best collegiate season came in 2023. While his fit as a blocking tight end did not directly fit Phil Longo’s air raid offense, Rucci caught 11 passes for 125 total yards — leading the tight end room.

The former Badger will now await the Dolphins’ roster decision. He is currently listed as the fifth-string tight end, though may rise after this performance. A spot on the practice squad is likely if the roster cutdown is missed.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. 

Former Wisconsin TE leads an unenthusiastic ‘Jump Around’ at Miami Dolphins training camp

Former Wisconsin leads an unenthusiastic ‘Jump Around’ at Miami Dolphins training camp

The Miami Dolphins training camp is well underway as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL season. Undrafted rookie and former Wisconsin Badgers tight end Hayden Rucci tried to add some fun to the camp on Thursday by bringing Madison, Wisconsin’s most famous tradition to the fans in Florida.

He used his opportunity on the microphone to attempt to lead Dolphins fans in Wisconsin’s ‘Jump Around’ celebration. It was a worthy effort, though wasn’t met with the enthusiasm that 90,000 fans at Camp Randall Stadium bring on a Saturday in the fall.

Rucci went undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft in April, but quickly found an opportunity with the Dolphins in early May. The tight end spent five years in Madison, redshirting in 2019 before seeing the field during in seasons from 2020-2023.

In his time with the Badgers, Rucci slowly worked his way up from being a depth option to a starter at tight end. Over his junior and senior seasons, he combined for 17 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown over 23 games.

Hopefully his chance at making the roster was not riding on the effectiveness of his rallying cry for ‘Jump Around.’

LOOK: Former Wisconsin tight end Hayden Rucci dons Miami Dolphins uniform

LOOK: former Wisconsin tight end Hayden Rucci dons Miami Dolphins uniform

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).

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.

Former Wisconsin tight end signs with Miami Dolphins as undrafted free agent

Former Wisconsin TE has an NFL home:

Former Wisconsin tight end Hayden Rucci signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft.

Rucci was primarily a blocking tight end during his time at Wisconsin. The veteran carved out a role on the field thanks to his terrific fit in the old Paul Chryst offensive scheme.

Wisconsin’s move to an air raid offensive under Phil Longo all but eliminated the blocking tight end, which forced Rucci into more of a receiving role. He totaled 11 catches for 125 yards during the 2023 season in a tight end room that struggled to produce consistently.

Related: Which Wisconsin Badgers will be selected in the 2025 NFL draft?

Rucci now signs with a Dolphins team that is high-flying thanks to the offensive scheme of head coach Mike McDaniel. Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle lead that attack, but the team also employs former Wisconsin fullback Alec Ingold. Rucci could push to make the roster in a similar blocking-first role.

Rucci is one of several former Badgers to sign after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft — that after only three were selected during the event.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Wisconsin’s starting tight end won’t return in 2024

Wisconsin’s starting tight end won’t return in 2024

Wisconsin starting tight end Hayden Rucci took to ‘X’ this afternoon to announce he will be entering the 2024 NFL Draft after the Badgers’ bowl game on January 1.

Rucci played five seasons for the Badgers, but had one remaining year of eligibility thanks to the 2020 season. He will declare for the draft after having played a key role in Wisconsin’s running game over the last two seasons, plus having combined to record 16 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown in that timespan.

The Badgers’ tight end room entering 2024 will look a lot different. Returning are freshman Tucker Ashcraft and junior Riley Nowakowski, while the incoming 2024 recruiting class includes signees four-star Grant Stec and three-star Rob Booker.

Rucci, as he specified, will suit up for the Badgers’ January 1 bowl game against LSU.