Cole Kenna Hikutini (born June 11, 1994) is an American professional football tight end for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at the University of Louisville.

Cole Hikutini
refer to caption
Hikutini with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017
No. 80 – Michigan Panthers
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1994-06-11) June 11, 1994 (age 30)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Pleasant Grove
(Elk Grove, California)
College:Louisville
Undrafted:2017
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:2
Receiving yards:15
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Hikutini attended Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, California, where he was a two-way player.[1] As a senior, he collected 27 receptions for 536 yards and six touchdowns, receiving second-team All-Delta River League honors as a defensive back.[2] He had 143 receiving yards and one touchdown against Lincoln High School.[3]

College career

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Hikutini accepted a football scholarship from Sacramento State. He was redshirted in 2012.[4] As a freshman in 2013, he appeared in nine games, starting the last four, while registering 21 receptions and five touchdowns. He had five receptions for 42 yards and two touchdowns against the University of Montana.[5]

He transferred to San Francisco City College in 2014. He posted 40 receptions for 658 yards and four touchdowns. He transferred to the University of Louisville after his sophomore season.[6]

As a junior, he appeared in 11 games (three starts), making 19 receptions (fourth on the team) for 348 yards (fourth on the team) and three touchdowns (tied for second on the team).[7][8] As a senior, playing alongside Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Lamar Jackson, he recorded 50 receptions (led the team) for 668 yards (second on the team) and eight touchdowns (led the team).[9][10] He suffered a knee injury during the 9-29 Citrus Bowl loss against LSU.

College statistics

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Receiving
Year Team GP Rec Yards TDs
2013 Sacramento State 9 21 204 5
2014 City College of San Francisco 10 40 658 4
2015 Louisville 10 19 348 3
2016 Louisville 13 50 668 8
College Totals 42 130 1,878 20

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+18 in
(1.93 m)
247 lb
(112 kg)
32+34 in
(0.83 m)
10 in
(0.25 m)
4.85 s 1.68 s 2.77 s 4.57 s 7.22 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)
10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)
20 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Louisville Pro Day[11][12]

San Francisco 49ers

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Hikutini was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2017.[13] He was waived on September 2, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[14][15] He was promoted to the active roster on October 14.[16] In Week 7, in the 40–10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, he had his first career NFL reception, a five-yard catch.[17] He was placed on the injured reserve list on November 6.[18]

On September 1, 2018, Hikutini was waived by the 49ers.[19]

Minnesota Vikings

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On September 3, 2018, Hikutini was signed to the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad.[20] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings on January 2, 2019.[21] He was waived on August 31, 2019.[22]

Dallas Cowboys

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On September 2, 2019, Hikutini was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.[23] On December 30, 2019, Hikutini was signed to a reserve/future contract.[24]

On September 4, 2020, Hikutini was waived by the Cowboys and re-signed to the practice squad.[25][26] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 4, 2021.[27] He was waived by the Dallas Cowboys on March 19, 2021.[28]

New York Giants

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On March 30, 2021, Hikutini was signed by the New York Giants, reuniting with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who was his head coach with the Cowboys in 2019.[29] He was waived/injured on August 24, 2021, and placed on injured reserve.[30] He was released on September 2.

Michigan Panthers

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On October 7, 2022, Hikutini signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL).[31] On May 4, 2023, he was placed on the inactive list. On May 11, 2023, he was activated. He appeared in nine games with six starts, making 21 receptions for 239 yards and five touchdowns. He re-signed with the team on September 24, 2024.[32]

Personal life

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Hikutini has lived in San Francisco, Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Wilton.

References

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  1. ^ "Cole Hikutini's High School Timeline". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  2. ^ Jones, Steve (October 28, 2016). "Hikutini took risk to achieve U of L success". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  3. ^ "Cole Hikutini - Football". University of Louisville Athletics. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Lindsey, Howie (November 28, 2016). "CardinalSports - Hikutini had a breakout season". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  5. ^ "Cole Hikutini". Sacramento State Athletics. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  6. ^ Demling, Jody (December 21, 2014). "JUCO tight end commits to Louisville". Cardinal Authority. 247sports.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  7. ^ "Cole Hikutini 2015 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  8. ^ "2015 Louisville Cardinals Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "Cole Hikutini 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "2016 Louisville Cardinals Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  11. ^ "Cole Hikutini, Louisville, TE, 2017 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". Draft Scout. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  12. ^ "Cole Hikutini Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  13. ^ "49ers Sign 6 Draft Picks, 18 Undrafted Free Agents". 49ers.com. May 4, 2017. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  14. ^ "49ers Cut Roster Down to 53 Players". 49ers.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018.
  15. ^ "49es Claim DL Xavier Cooper off Waivers, Sign 8 Players to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 3, 2017. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018.
  16. ^ "49ers Promote TE Hikutini to Active Roster". 49ers.com. October 14, 2017. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018.
  17. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - October 22nd, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  18. ^ "49ers Announce Several Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018.
  19. ^ "49ers Cut 21 Players, Get Roster Down to 53". 49ers.com. September 1, 2018.
  20. ^ "Vikings Sign TE Cole Hikutini to the Practice Squad". Vikings.com. September 3, 2018. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  21. ^ "Vikings Announce Reserve / Future Free Agent Signings". Vikings.com. January 2, 2019.
  22. ^ "Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster". Vikings.com. August 31, 2019.
  23. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 2, 2019). "Initial Practice Squad Includes New QB, TE, WR". DallasCowboys.com.
  24. ^ "Cowboys' Cole Hikutini: Signs reserve/future contract". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  25. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 4, 2020). "2019 Draft Pick Among Four More Cowboys Waived". DallasCowboys.com.
  26. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 6, 2020). "Brandon Carr Among 15 Practice Squad Additions". DallasCowboys.com.
  27. ^ "Jan. 4 Updates". DallasCowboys.com. January 4, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  28. ^ Alper, Josh (March 19, 2021). "Cowboys sign Malik Turner, cut four players". Pro Football Talk.
  29. ^ "Giants sign three more free agents, including 2 Titans DBs". APNews.com. March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  30. ^ Eisen, Michael (August 24, 2021). "Giants reach NFL's roster limit of 80 players". Giants.com.
  31. ^ @USFLPanthers (October 7, 2022). "Free Agent Signings" (Tweet). Retrieved October 7, 2022 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ @UFL_PR (September 24, 2024). "The UFL has announced the following transactions" (Tweet). Retrieved September 25, 2024 – via Twitter.
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