Jake Kumerow
{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jake Kumerow
| image = NFL2021 - Washington Football Team at. Buffalo Bills 130 (51530174193).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Kumerow in 2021
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|2|17}}
| birth_place = Bartlett, Illinois, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 209
| high_school = South Elgin
(South Elgin, Illinois)
| college = {{ubl|Illinois (2010–2011)|UW–Whitewater (2012–2014)}}
| undraftedyear = 2015
| pastteams =
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2017}})*
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2021}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
| status =
| highlights =
- 2× Stagg Bowl champion (2013, 2014)
- 2× First-team All-WIAC (2013, 2014)
- D3Football.com Offensive Player of the Year (2014)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 27
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 436
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 3
| pfr = KumeJa00
}}
Jake Anthony Kumerow (born February 17, 1992) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football at Illinois and UW–Whitewater, and was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Buffalo Bills.
College career
Kumerow originally attended Illinois. He caught 3 passes for 15 yards with the Illini. He then transferred to NCAA Division III school Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks. Kumerow finished with 158 receptions for 2,648 yards and 36 touchdowns for the Warhawks.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 1/2
| weight = 209
| dash = 4.54
| ten split = 1.62
| twenty split = 2.60
| shuttle = 4.26
| cone drill = 6.90
| vertical = 31.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 5
| bench = 15
| arm span = 31 7/8
| hand span = 9 1/2
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=112573&DraftYear=2015 |title=2015 Draft Scout Jake Kumerow, Wisconsin-Whitewater NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=April 17, 2018}}
}}
=Cincinnati Bengals=
Kumerow signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2015.{{cite web|title=Bengals announce undrafted free agents signed|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/8/8565497/bengals-announce-undrafted-free-agents|last1=Marcum|first1=Jason|last2=Toback|first2=Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=May 8, 2015|access-date=April 22, 2017}} He was released on September 5, 2015, and was signed to the practice squad the next day, where he spent his entire rookie season.{{cite web|title=Bengals roster cuts: Bengals 53-man roster 2015|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/9/5/9265317/bengals-roster-cuts-bengals-53-man-roster-2015|author=Toback, Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=September 5, 2015|access-date=April 22, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Cincinnati Bengals 2015 practice squad announced|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/9/6/9268985/cincinnati-bengals-2015-practice-squad-announced|author=Kirkendall, Josh|website=CincyJungle.com|date=September 6, 2015|access-date=April 22, 2017}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bengals on January 11, 2016.{{cite web|title=Jeff Luc among 5 Bengals signed to future contracts|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/11/10751032/jeff-luc-among-5-bengals-signed-to-future-contracts|author=Marcum, Jason|website=CincyJungle.com|date=January 11, 2016|access-date=April 22, 2017}}
Kumerow was released by the Bengals on September 3, 2016, and was signed to the practice squad during the next day.{{cite web|title=Bengals Roster 2016: Cincinnati's 53-man roster is set|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/9/3/12780588/bengals-roster-2016-cincinnati-53-man-roster-is-set-every-player|author=Toback, Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=September 3, 2016|access-date=April 22, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Bengals 2016 practice squad: 9 players make initial practice squad|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/9/4/12793370/bengals-2016-practice-squad-9-players-make-initial-practice-squad|author=Marcum, Jason|website=CincyJungle.com|date=September 4, 2016|access-date=April 22, 2017}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 27, 2016.{{cite web|title=Bengals sign two practice squad players to 53-man roster|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/12/27/14089104/bengals-sign-two-practice-squad-players-to-53-man-roster|author=Toback, Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=December 27, 2016|access-date=April 22, 2017}}
On August 9, 2017, Kumerow was waived/injured by the Bengals after suffering an ankle injury and was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Bengals sign new punter; waive WR Jake Kumerow|url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/8/9/16120092/bengals-sign-new-punter-waive-wr-jake-kumerow|author=Toback, Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=August 9, 2017}} He was released on September 22, 2017 with an injury settlement.
=New England Patriots=
On October 26, 2017, Kumerow was signed to the New England Patriots' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Patriots sign WR Jake Kumerow to the practice squad; Release DL Mike Purcell from the practice squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-wr-jake-kumerow-to-the-practice-squad-release-dl-mike-purce-312081|website=Patriots.com|date=October 26, 2017}} He was released on November 9, 2017.{{cite web|title=Patriots Claim TE Martellus Bennett Off Waivers from Green Bay; Release DL Geneo Grissom; Make Changes to the Practice Squad|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/11/09/patriots-claim-te-martellus-bennett-waivers-green-bay-release-dl-geneo-grissom-make|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214121315/http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/11/09/patriots-claim-te-martellus-bennett-waivers-green-bay-release-dl-geneo-grissom-make|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 14, 2018|website=Patriots.com|date=November 9, 2017}}
=Green Bay Packers=
File:Jake Kumerow.jpg in 2019 ]]
On December 26, 2017, Kumerow was signed to the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Packers place T Jason Spriggs on IR, sign TE Emanuel Byrd|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-place-t-jason-spriggs-on-ir-sign-te-emanuel-byrd-20141817|website=Packers.com|date=December 26, 2017}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Packers on January 2, 2018.{{cite web|title=Packers sign five free agents|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-five-free-agents-20187511|website=Packers.com|date=January 2, 2018}}
On September 3, 2018, Kumerow was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Packers sign LB Toomer, place WR Kumerow on IR|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-lb-toomer-place-wr-kumerow-on-ir|website=Packers.com|date=September 3, 2018|access-date=September 11, 2018|archive-date=September 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215323/https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-lb-toomer-place-wr-kumerow-on-ir|url-status=dead}} He was activated off injured reserve on December 1, 2018{{cite web|title=Packers activate Jake Kumerow to 53-man roster|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-activate-jake-kumerow-to-53-man-roster|website=Packers.com|date=December 1, 2018}} and made his NFL debut the following day, in a week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He also recorded his first career reception, an 11-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers, during that game. On December 23, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 49-yard reception against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Kumerow returned to the Packers on March 11, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2019/03/11/packers-use-exclusive-rights-tender-to-bring-back-wr-jake-kumerow/|title=Packers use exclusive rights tender to bring back WR Jake Kumerow|date=March 11, 2019|work=packerswire.com}}
On April 25, 2020, the Packers re-signed Kumerow as an exclusive-rights free agent, which kept him under contract for Green Bay for another year.{{cite web|url=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2020/03/17/packers-tender-all-5-exclusive-rights-free-agents/|title=Packers tender all 5 exclusive rights free agents|date=March 17, 2020|website=packerswire.usatoday.com}}{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/Article/Report-Jake-Kumerow-Robert-Tonyan-sign-ERFA-deals-with-Packers-146445178/|title=Report: Jake Kumerow, Robert Tonyan sign ERFA deals with Packers|date=April 24, 2020|website=247sports.com}} He was released during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, shortly after Rodgers had publicly praised his play.{{cite web|url=https://www.packers.com/news/green-bay-packers-announce-roster-moves-2020-roster-reduction|title=Packers announce roster moves|date=September 5, 2020|work=Packers.com}} As a result, Kumerow's release was later reported as a tipping point for Rodgers, who had developed a rapport with the receiver and was upset with Packers management over his departure.{{Cite web |last=Kruse |first=Zach |date=2021-05-03 |title=Report: Packers releasing Jake Kumerow was 'death knell' in relationship with Aaron Rodgers |url=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/03/report-packers-releasing-jake-kumerow-was-death-knell-in-relationship-with-aaron-rodgers/ |access-date=2021-10-01 |website=Packers Wire |language=en-US}}
=Buffalo Bills (first stint)=
On September 8, 2020, Kumerow was signed to the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Chris |title=BIlls sign WR Jake Kumerow to the practice squad |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-wr-jake-kumerow-to-the-practice-squad |website=Buffalo Bills |access-date=September 8, 2020 |date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926181146/https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-wr-jake-kumerow-to-the-practice-squad |url-status=dead }} He was elevated to the active roster on November 7, November 14, and November 28 for the team's weeks 9, 10, and 12 games against the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.{{cite news |title=Bills place Matt Milano on injured reserve; activate LB Del'Shawn Phillips |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-place-matt-milano-on-injured-reserve-activate-lb-del-shawn-phillips |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=November 7, 2020 |access-date=December 9, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Josh Norman tests positive for COVID-19, 3 other players placed on reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/josh-norman-tests-positive-for-covid-19-3-other-players-placed-on-reserve-covid- |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220090856/https://www.buffalobills.com/news/josh-norman-tests-positive-for-covid-19-3-other-players-placed-on-reserve-covid- |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=John Brown, Cody Ford placed on injured reserve; Two elevated for Sunday |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/john-brown-cody-ford-placed-on-injured-reserve-two-elevated-for-sunday |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=January 5, 2021}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 2, 2020.{{cite web|title=Bills promote Jake Kumerow to the 53-man roster|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-promote-jake-kumerow-to-the-53-man-roster|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=December 2, 2020}} Kumerow caught a touchdown pass from Josh Allen against the Denver Broncos in week 15, helping convert a second and goal from the 22-yard line.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-19 |title=Former Packers WR Jake Kumerow catches first TD pass with Bills |url=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2020/12/19/former-packers-wr-jake-kumerow-catches-first-td-pass-with-bills/ |access-date=2020-12-26 |website=Packers Wire |language=en-US}} He was waived on December 24, 2020 with starter John Brown returning from injured reserve.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-24 |title=Bills cut WR Jake Kumerow with John Brown set to return |url=https://apnews.com/article/nfl-football-john-brown-buffalo-bills-jake-kumerow-ebf38500341e707a458921b9d36ec60e |access-date=2020-12-26 |website=AP NEWS}}
=New Orleans Saints=
On December 25, 2020, Kumerow was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints.{{cite web|title=Saints claim WR Jake Kumerow off of waivers from Bills|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2020/12/25/saints-claim-wr-jake-kumerow-off-of-waivers-from-bills/|work=Saints Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=December 25, 2020}} He was waived on January 9, 2021.{{Cite web|date=January 9, 2021|title=Jake Kumerow: Cut loose by Saints|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/jake-kumerow-cut-loose-by-saints/|access-date=January 11, 2021|website=CBS Sports}} On January 13, 2021, Kumerow re-signed with the Saints practice squad.{{Cite web|last=Trahan|first=Ken|date=January 13, 2021|title=Saints WR Tre'Quan Smith designated to return from injured reserve|url=https://crescentcitysports.com/saints-wr-trequan-smith-designated-to-return-from-injured-reserve/|access-date=January 14, 2021|website=Crescent City Sports}}{{Cite web|last=Just|first=Amie|date=January 13, 2021|title=Saints shuffle practice squad roster, release veterans K Blair Walsh, LS John Denney|url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_437c1bf4-55f2-11eb-bb65-3fde4737e824.html|access-date=2021-01-14|website=NOLA.com|language=en}} He was released on January 18.{{cite news |author=Bouda, Nate |title=Saints Sign 13 Players To Futures Deals, Release WR Jake Kumerow From PS |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/saints-sign-13-players-to-futures-deals-release-wr-jake-kumerow-from-ps/ |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |date=January 18, 2021 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}
=Buffalo Bills (second stint)=
On January 26, 2021, Kumerow signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bills.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=January 26, 2021|title=Bills signed these 13 players to reserve/future contracts|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-signed-these-13-players-to-reserve-future-contracts|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-27|website=www.buffalobills.com|language=en-US}} In the 2021 preseason, Bills quarterback Josh Allen joked that Kumerow was his favorite wide receiver, because his only regular season catch for the Bills was for a touchdown.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-16|title=Bills camp Day 14: Greg Rousseau with another sack, Josh Allen's favorite WR?|url=https://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/2021/08/bills-camp-day-14-greg-rousseau-with-another-sack-josh-allens-got-jokes-jake-kumerow-favorite-wr.html|access-date=2021-08-17|website=syracuse|language=en}}
On March 10, 2022, Kumerow signed a one-year contract extension with the Bills.{{cite web|title=Bills agree to terms with Jake Kumerow|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-agree-to-terms-with-jake-kumerow|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=March 10, 2022}} On June 16, Kumerow was released by the Bills for salary cap purposes and was re-signed the next day.{{Cite web|title=Bills cut Jake Kumerow, will re-sign wide receiver|url=https://billswire.usatoday.com/2022/06/17/buffalo-bills-cut-jake-kumerow-will-re-sign/|access-date=2023-03-23|website=billswire.usatoday.com|language=en}} On November 17, after an ankle injury in a game against the Minnesota Vikings, he was placed on injured reserve.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-18 |title=Bills place Jake Kumerow on injured reserve |url=https://billswire.usatoday.com/2022/11/18/buffalo-bills-jake-kumerow-injury-injured-reserve/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=Bills Wire |language=en-US}}
Kumerow never re-signed with the Bills and remained a free agent throughout the 2023 off-season.{{Cite news |title=Aaron Rodgers' Old Friend Currently Available on NFL Free Agent Market - Sports Illustrated New York Jets News, Analysis and More |language=en |work=Sports Illustrated New York Jets News, Analysis and More |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/jets/news/aaron-rodgers-old-friend-currently-available-on-nfl-free-agent-market |access-date=2023-09-21}}
Personal life
Kumerow is the son of former Miami Dolphins linebacker Eric Kumerow. He is also the nephew of former Dolphins defensive end John Bosa, and a cousin to Joey and Nick Bosa.{{cite magazine |last1=Wertheim |first1=Jon |date=May 2, 2019 |title=Nick Bosa and the 2019 Draft's Oddest Note |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/05/02/tony-accardo-mobster-greatgrandfather-nick-joey-bosa |access-date=May 4, 2019}} His sister Cortney was an All-American basketball player at UW-Whitewater, and their youngest brother Derek played football at Whitewater as well. His grandfather is former NFL Guard Palmer Pyle and his great-uncle is former Chicago Bears Center Mike Pyle. He is also the great-grandson of former Chicago Mob boss Tony Accardo.
Kumerow earned the nickname “Touchdown Jesus” originally in the preseason for the Packers due to his long hair and thick beard.{{Cite web|title=Jake Kumerow lands on Buffalo Bills practice squad|url=https://247sports.com/Article/Jake-Kumerow-Touchdown-Jesus-Buffalo-Bills-lands-on-practice-squad-Green-Bay-Packers-151137837/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=247Sports|language=en-US}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+Regular season statistics | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2018 | GB
| 5 || 2 || 8 || 103 || 12.9 || 49 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2019 | GB
| 14 || 4 || 12 || 219 || 18.3 || 49 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2020 | BUF
| 6|| 0 || 1|| 22 || 22.0 || 22 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2021 | BUF
| 15|| 2 || 2|| 28 || 14.0 || 15 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2022
!BUF |6 |1 |4 |64 |16.0 |39 |0 |0 |0 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" | Total || 46 || 9 || 27 || 436 || 16.1 || 49 || 3 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| colspan="11"|Source: [http://www.nfl.com/player/jakekumerow/2553548/careerstats NFL.com] |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+Postseason statistics | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2019 | GB
| 2 || 0 || 1 || 23 || 23.0 || 23 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2021 | BUF
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2022
!BUF |0 |0 | colspan="7" |DNP | ||||||||
| colspan="2"| Total || 4 || 0 || 1 || 23 || 23.0 || 23 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| colspan="11"|Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KumeJa00.htm pro-football-reference.com] |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- {{Sports links}}
- [http://www.uwwsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8766 Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks bio]
{{2013 Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks football navbox}}
{{2014 Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks football navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumerow, Jake}}
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:People from Bartlett, Illinois
Category:Players of American football from Cook County, Illinois
Category:Players of American football from DuPage County, Illinois