Cole Kmet
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Cole Kmet
| image = Cole Kmet visits KMC, hosts youth football camp (A-Roll).png
| caption = Kmet in 2023
| current_team = Chicago Bears
| number = 85
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|3|10}}
| birth_place = Lake Barrington, Illinois, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lb = 260
| high_school = St. Viator {{avoid wrap|(Arlington Heights, Illinois)}}
| college = Notre Dame (2017–2019)
| draftyear = 2020
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 43
| pastteams =
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2020}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statleague =
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 258
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 2,592
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 19
| pfr = KmetCo00
}}
Cole Kmet (born March 10, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Early life
Kmet attended St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He played baseball and football in high school.{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Eric |date=June 2, 2017 |title=Future Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet has double vision on football, baseball |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/football/future-notre-dame-te-cole-kmet-has-double-vision-on/article_aa7f9d42-47c5-11e7-84c3-a75f34b8440c.html |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Notre Dame Insider}} As a senior in football, he had 48 receptions for 773 yards and four touchdowns. Kmet played in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Cam |date=October 5, 2016 |title=Cole Kmet relishes being first U.S. Army All-American from his school |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2016/cole-kmet-relishes-being-first-u-s-army-all-american-from-his-school |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=USA TODAY High School Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2016 |title=U.S. Army All-American Bowl appearance suits St. Viator's Kmet |url=https://football.dailyherald.com/article/20161005/sports/161009291/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Daily Herald}} He committed to the University of Notre Dame to play college football.{{Cite web |last=Skrbina |first=Paul |date=October 2, 2015 |title=St. Viator junior tight end commits to Notre Dame |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-notre-dame-commit-cole-kmet-20151002-story.html |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Chicago Tribune}}
College career
=Football=
As a true freshman at Notre Dame in 2017, Kmet played in all 13 games and had two receptions for 14 yards. As a sophomore in 2018, he played in 11 games and had 15 receptions for 162 yards. Kmet took over as the starting tight end his junior year in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Berardino |first=Mike |date=October 3, 2019 |title=Product of a football family, a heartfelt talk brought Notre Dame's Cole Kmet back to the sport |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2019/10/03/notre-dame-football-te-cole-kmet-almost-gave-up-football/3851421002/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}} He missed the first three games of the season due to a broken collarbone.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Tyler |date=September 26, 2019 |title=Healthy TE Cole Kmet finally gets chance to live up to hype at Notre Dame |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/premium/football/healthy-te-cole-kmet-finally-gets-chance-to-live-up/article_3d009f0b-cd72-5cfa-a652-44015714e122.html |access-date=October 22, 2020 |website=Notre Dame Insider}} In November, he announced that he would return to Notre Dame for his senior season rather than enter the 2020 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Shepkowski |first=Nick |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Notre Dame Football: Cole Kmet Says He's Staying |url=https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/2019/11/12/cole-kmet-says-hes-coming-back/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Fighting Irish Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sinn |first=Dylan |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Cole Kmet, Liam Eichenberg plan to return in 2020 |url=https://www.journalgazette.net/sports/colleges/notre-dame/irish-insights/cole-kmet-liam-eichenberg-plan-to-return-in-2020/article_6735f44a-eeca-5173-9b1d-d974a1045477.html |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Fort Wayne Journal Gazette |language=en}}
On January 2, 2020, Kmet announced he would forgo his senior season at Notre Dame and would enter the 2020 NFL Draft.{{Cite magazine |last=Driskell |first=Bryan |date=January 2, 2020 |title=Tight End Cole Kmet To Declare For The NFL Draft |url=https://www.si.com/college/notredame/football/notre-dame-football-cole-kmet-to-the-nfl |access-date=June 1, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}
==College football statistics==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
| 2017 || style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}}"| 2017 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
| 13 || 0 || 2 || 14 || 7.0 || 11 || 0 | ||||||
| 2018 || style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}}"| 2018 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
| 11 || 7 || 15 || 162 || 10.8 || 24 || 0 | ||||||
| 2019 || style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}}"| 2019 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
| 11 || 11 || 43 || 515 || 12.0 || 37 || 6 | ||||||
| align=center colspan="2" |Career || 35 || 18 || 60 || 691 || 11.5 || 37 || 6 |
=Baseball=
Kmet also played baseball at Notre Dame.{{Cite web |last=Litman |first=Laken |date=May 3, 2018 |title=Jeff Samardzija's advice to Cole Kmet, the next great dual-sport athlete at Notre Dame |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2018/05/03/ini-0331-nd-te-cole-kmet-next-jeff-samardzija/465395002/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Indianapolis Star}} As a freshman in 2018, Kmet appeared in 26 games as a relief pitcher and made one start. He finished the season 2–5 with a 5.05 earned run average (ERA), 39 strikeouts and a team-leading eight saves.{{Cite web |last=Pope |first=LaMond |date=August 13, 2018 |title=Cole Kmet's full focus is back on football after stint with Notre Dame baseball team |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-notre-dame-cole-kmet-football-baseball-20180813-story.html |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Chicago Tribune}} As a sophomore in 2019, Kmet appeared in eight games with one start, before suffering an arm injury.{{Cite web |last=Karels |first=Carter |date=March 25, 2019 |title=Two-sport athlete Cole Kmet out indefinitely for Notre Dame baseball team |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/football/two-sport-athlete-cole-kmet-out-indefinitely-for-notre-dame/article_6e6a5a91-2437-5c54-9ac3-50fcad73930a.html |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Notre Dame Insider}} He finished the season 0–2 with a 2.89 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 5 3/4
| weight = 262
| dash = 4.70
| ten split = 1.65
| twenty split = 2.77
| shuttle = 4.41
| cone drill = 7.44
| vertical = 37.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 3
| bench =
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 10 1/2
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Cole Kmet Draft and Combine Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/cole-kmet?id=32194b4d-4520-0895-f027-61d779beeff4 |access-date=March 2, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1021966&DraftYear=2020 |title=2020 Draft Scout Cole Kmet, Notre Dame NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=August 20, 2022}}
}}
Considered a top tight end prospect for the 2020 NFL draft, CBS Sports ranked him as the best tight end in the draft, while Pro Football Focus ranked him as the second-best. He was projected as a second-round pick.{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Tight ends |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/tight-ends/ |website=CBSSports.com}}{{Cite web |last=Renner |first=Michael |date=April 12, 2020 |title=2020 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Tight Ends {{!}} College Football and NFL Draft |url=https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2020-nfl-draft-position-rankings-tight-ends |access-date=April 24, 2020 |website=PFF |language=en}}
=2020 season=
The Chicago Bears selected him in the second round with the 43rd overall pick, which was previously acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders along with Khalil Mack as part of the trade that sent two first-round picks (Josh Jacobs and Damon Arnette) to the Raiders.{{Cite web |last=Seligman |first=Andrew |date=April 25, 2020 |title=Bears open draft by taking TE Cole Kmet, CB Jaylon Johnson |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-draft-notre-dame-te-kmet-no-43-001354567--nfl.html |access-date=April 25, 2020 |website=Yahoo! Sports |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506043622/https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-draft-notre-dame-te-kmet-no-43-001354567--nfl.html |url-status=dead }} He signed a four-year rookie contract with the team on July 21.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=July 21, 2020 |title=Bears sign all seven of their 2020 draft picks |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-sign-all-seven-of-their-2020-draft-picks |access-date=July 21, 2020 |website=Chicago Bears}}
Kmet began his rookie season primarily as a blocker.{{Cite magazine |last=Chamberlain |first=Gene |date=October 16, 2020 |title=Cole Kmet's Progress Measured by More than Catches |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/news/bears-see-cole-kmets-blocking-ability-flourish-minus-receptions |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=October 18, 2020}} In Week 2 against the New York Giants, he recorded his first NFL reception with a 12-yard catch,{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2020 |title=Kmet hauls in first career catch |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/video/kmet-hauls-in-first-career-catch |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=Chicago Bears}} followed by his first touchdown four games later against the Carolina Panthers on a nine-yard score in the 23–16 victory.{{Cite web |last=Finley |first=Patrick |date=October 18, 2020 |title=Bears TE Cole Kmet catches first career TD |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2020/10/18/21521895/bears-panthers-cole-kmet-first-touchdown-tight-end-jimmy-graham-matt-nagy-notre-dame-st-viator |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=Chicago Sun-Times}}
=2021 season=
Kmet appeared in all 17 games for the Bears and caught 60 passes for 612 yards during the 2021 season.{{Cite web |last=Lieser |first=Jason |date=August 5, 2022 |title=Bears need 'rock star' performance from TE Cole Kmet |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/8/5/23293802/cole-kmet-tight-end-stats-yards-touchdowns-draft-salary-cap-justin-fields-luke-getsy |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Chicago Sun-Times}}
=2022 season=
Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy was optimistic about Kmet, who did not catch a touchdown pass in 2021. He commented on Kmet's versatility stating, "You talk about a guy that we hope can do a lot of different things. We’ve lined him up wide. We've let him do some routes outside. We've brought him in tight. We've put him in line and made him block the big boys up front too and I think the cool part about him is that he can do all of that stuff really well."{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Alex |date=August 5, 2022 |title=Why Bears feel Kmet on brink of breakout season |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/why-bears-believe-cole-kmet-brink-breakout-season |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=NBC Sports Chicago}} During the 2022 season, Kmet recorded 50 receptions for 544 yards and seven touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Cole Kmet 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KmetCo00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He led the Bears in receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=August 5, 2022 |title=Jones continues to produce impact plays in finale / Quick Hits |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/jones-continues-produce-impact-plays-finale-quick-hits-rushing-record-cole-kmet |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Chicago Bears}}
=2023 season=
On July 26, 2023, Kmet signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Bears.{{Cite web|title=Bears TE Cole Kmet agrees to four-year, $50 million contract extension
|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-te-cole-kmet-agrees-to-four-year-50-million-contract-extension|access-date=July 26, 2023|date=July 26, 2023|website=NFL.com|language=en|first=Kevin|last=Patra}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-ink-cole-kmet-to-contract-extension|work=ChicagoBears.com|title=Roster Move: Bears ink Cole Kmet to contract extension
|date=July 26, 2023|accessdate=July 26, 2023|first=Larry|last=Mayer}} He appeared in all 17 games for the Bears and finished the season with 73 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Cole Kmet 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KmetCo00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}
=2024 season=
On October 13, 2024, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kmet had 5 receptions for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns. In the same game, Kmet also snapped six long snaps as the emergency long snapper after starter Scott Daly suffered a knee injury, uniquely earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.{{cite web | last=Hajduk | first=Gabby | title=Cole Kmet does it all for Bears in London | website=Chicago Bears | date=October 13, 2024 | url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/cole-kmet-does-it-all-for-bears-in-london-touchdowns-receiving-long-snapper-tight-end-jaguars | access-date=October 15, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Alper | first=Josh | title=Cole Kmet named NFC special teams player of the week | website=NBCSports | date=October 16, 2024 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/cole-kmet-named-nfc-special-teams-player-of-the-week | access-date=October 16, 2024}} He finished the 2024 season with 47 receptions for 474 yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Cole Kmet 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KmetCo00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
NFL career statistics
=Regular season=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="5" |Receiving | |||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | CHI
| 16 || 9 || 28 || 243 || 8.7 || 38 || 2 | ||||||
| 2021 | CHI
| 17 || 17 || 60 || 612 || 10.2 || 25 || 0 | ||||||
| 2022 | CHI
| 17 || 17 || 50 || 544 || 10.9 || 50 || 7 | ||||||
| 2023 | CHI
| 17 || 17 || 73|| 719|| 9.8|| 53|| 6 | ||||||
| 2024
!CHI |12 |11 |42 |448 |10.7 |31 |3 | |||||||
| colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KmetCo00.htm Career] | 79 | 71 | 253 | 2,566 | 10.1 | 53 | 18 |
=Postseason=
Personal life
Kmet's father Frank Kmet was selected in 1992 but never played in an NFL game. His uncle Jeff Zgonina played in the NFL.{{Cite news |last=Narang |first=Bob |date=January 11, 2020 |title=St. Viator grad Cole Kmet makes difficult decision to declare for NFL draft |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/arlington-heights/sports/ct-ahp-ahp-cole-kmet-nfl-draft-tl-0116-20200111-ztaklfqvejardm67gi44nmmfvm-story.html |access-date=January 23, 2020}} Kmet is of Polish descent through his mother.{{Cite news|last=Berardino |first=Mike |date=October 3, 2019 |title= Product of a football family, a heartfelt talk brought Notre Dame's Cole Kmet back to the sport |work=Indy Star |url= https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2019/10/03/notre-dame-football-te-cole-kmet-almost-gave-up-football/3851421002 |access-date=January 7, 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.chicagobears.com/team/players-roster/cole-kmet/ Chicago Bears bio]
- [https://und.com/roster/cole-kmet/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish football bio]
- [https://und.com/roster/cole-kmet-1/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball bio]
{{Baseballstats|brm=kmet--000col}}
{{Chicago Bears roster navbox}}
{{Bears2020DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kmet, Cole}}
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Baseball players from Lake County, Illinois
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball players
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players
Category:Players of American football from Lake County, Illinois