Jackson Kuwatch
| No. 46 – Carolina Panthers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Roster status | Active |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 19, 2003 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 232 lb (105 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) |
| College |
|
| NFL draft | 2026: 7th round, 227th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Jackson Kuwatch (born May 19, 2003) is an American professional football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Miami RedHawks and was selected by the Panthers in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Early life
[edit source]Kuwatch attended Lakota West High School located in West Chester, Ohio. Coming out of high school, he committed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, joining the team as a preferred walk-on.[1]
College career
[edit source]Ohio State
[edit source]After not receiving any game action in 2021 and 2022, Kuwatch decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[2]
Miami Ohio
[edit source]Kuwatch transferred to play for the Miami RedHawks.[3] During his first season as a RedHawk in 2023, he played in ten games, recording five tackles with one being for a loss.[4] In the 2024 season, Kuwatch posted nine tackles.[5] In the 2025 regular season finale, he led the team with eight tackles in a victory over Ball State.[6] Kuwatch finished his breakout 2025 season, totaling 109 tackles with ten going for a loss, five sacks, and a pass deflection in 14 games. After the conclusion of the season, he declared for the 2026 NFL draft, while also accepting an invite to participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.[7]
Professional career
[edit source]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 232 lb (105 kg) | 30+1⁄2 in (0.77 m) | 9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) | 6 ft 3+3⁄4 in (1.92 m) | 4.67 s | 1.50 s | 2.68 s | 4.40 s | 6.95 s | 36.5 in (0.93 m) | 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) | 15 reps |
| All values from Pro Day[8] | ||||||||||||
Kuwatch was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round with the 227th overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft.[9]
References
[edit source]- ↑ Kurelic, Bill (February 26, 2021). "Jackson Kuwatch is latest to say he is headed to Ohio State as walk-on". 247Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ Strom, Griffin. "Ohio State Walk-On Linebacker Jackson Kuwatch Enters Transfer Portal". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ May, Jaron. "Miami football players' friendship fuels success from high school to college". WLWT.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ Adams, Destin. "Colts are getting a closer look at a sleeper in the 2026 NFL Draft who could help a major position of need". A to Z Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ McAvoy, Patrick. "Jets Hosting 109-Tackle Linebacker Ahead of NFL Draft". New York Jets On SI. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ Vogt, Chris. "Kuwatch's Climb: Lakota West grad has became [sic] one of Miami's defensive leaders". The Report Ohio. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ Wally, Drake. "Colts Getting Closer Look at Do-It-All Defensive Prospect". Indianapolis Colts On SI. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Jackson Kuwatch College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Gantt, Darin (April 25, 2026). "With the 227th overall pick, the Panthers take linebacker Jackson Kuwatch". Panthers.com. Retrieved April 27, 2026.