Most touchdowns by a tight end in program history, most receiving yards by a tight end in program history and numerous All-America honors represent just a few of senior tight end Ryder Kurtz’s many accomplishments with the Red. With another 10 games on the schedule, Kurtz has a chance to solidify himself as one of the greatest players to step onto Schoellkopf Field.
Football has been a major part of Kurtz’s life since he was about six years old, when his late father first introduced him to the sport.
“This has always been my dream,” Kurtz said. “Me [and] my dad always talked about it when he was still with us. We lost him about four years ago. He first got me into football, and I really wanted to do it for him from the start.”
Kurtz with his father and older sister, Tessa. (Photo courtesy of Ryder Kurtz)
Kurtz explained that he realized his desire to play at the Division I level halfway through his sophomore year of high school. This led him to transfer into St. Paul’s School, a New Hampshire boarding school known for its strong football program.
It soon became clear that Kurtz made the right decision, as his name began to circulate among Division I coaches. Despite offers from the Massachusetts Minutemen and Georgetown Hoyas, Kurtz decided to take his talents to Ithaca, choosing the Red.
“Cornell was my first offer. That was probably halfway through my junior year, and I think that's the happiest I've probably ever been in my entire life,” Kurtz said about his recruitment process. “I called my mom right away. Just a blessing to be in that position and thank God for just being able to play the game that I love for this long.”
Like many collegiate football players, Kurtz did not see any action during his freshman season. He spent his first year developing his play and carving out his place within the Red’s roster.
It was during the electric 2024 Homecoming matchup against the Yale Bulldogs that Kurtz had his breakout performance. While he only had two receptions, one was a 68-yard touchdown.
From that game on, the floodgates were open as Kurtz secured 36 total receptions for 441 yards and four total touchdowns in nine games for the Red. His strong play earned him his first postseason honors, AP All-America Honorable Mention and an All-Ivy Honorable Mention.
“After my sophomore year, it gave me the confidence that I could play. I could do this,” Kurtz said about playing for a Division I program. “It’s not easy, I'll tell you that. But if you have the right work ethic and the right mindset, I think anybody can do it.”
Since that breakout season, Kurtz has continued to impress. During his junior season, he not only proved he was one of the best tight ends in the Ivy League, but one of the best tight ends in the entire FCS.
He once again scored four touchdowns and firmly established himself as one of the Red’s main offensive weapons. Once the season was said and done, Kurtz caught 44 passes for 523 total yards, averaging 11.9 yards per reception. In total, he averaged an impressive 52.3 all-purpose yards per game.
Unsurprisingly, Kurtz was awarded multiple postseason honors for his high level of play during the season. These honors included another AP All-America Honorable Mention, as well as being named to the FCS Football Central All-America Third Team and Stats Perform FCS All-America Third Team.
In just over a week, Kurtz will enter his senior season with the Red, where he will have the opportunity to concretely demonstrate that he is ready to make the jump to the professional level
While Kurtz’s time with the Red may be coming to a close, he will not soon forget the time he has spent with the program. He specifically highlighted his time spent developing under head coach Dan Swanstrom and tight ends coach Andrew Dees, explaining how they taught him to watch film and transformed him athletically.
“When I came here, [coach Swanstrom and coach Dees] developed me into what I am today, and I can't be more grateful for them,” Kurtz said about the two coaches. “They've put me into this position. I'm super grateful for both of them.”
After being asked about his favorite memory with the Red, Kurtz highlighted a game Cornell fans will remember vividly: the Red’s double-overtime victory against the Brown Bears.
“That was probably the best memory I've ever had playing football,” Kurtz said about the game. “It was just such an electrifying feeling, playing a double overtime game in college at the Division I level … that's what you dream of doing as a little kid.”
The highlight of the game was Kurtz’s crucial 26-yard reception in overtime that put the Red in scoring position, which the Red immediately capitalized on. Kurtz finished the game with an impressive 90 receiving yards.
Heading into his final season with the Red, Kurtz is ready to make an impact on the field and off the field.
“Coming into my senior year, I think it's something that I've taken on as a responsibility,” Kurtz said about being a team leader. “It's my responsibility to lead these guys to perform, but also to know that they can come to me with whatever they need.”
It is not surprising that Kurtz’s name has begun to circulate in conversations regarding the 2027 NFL draft. If Kurtz’s play takes another leap, as it did during his sophomore and junior years, it will be difficult for NFL coaches to overlook him when putting together tight end shortlists.
Kurtz’s draft prospects have not gone unnoticed by the media. He was recently included in a Sports Illustrated article listing the top FCS wide receiver and tight end draft prospects. The strengths attributed to Kurtz included his remarkable catching ability and proficiency as an efficient blocker.
Reaching the professional level has been a goal fueling Kurtz’s motivation, pushing him to face and conquer adversity head-on.
“It's the dream, the dream to play in the NFL,” Kurtz responded quickly when asked about what drives him. “I do it for my family, my dad. I am very family-driven. That's how I operate. They're my support system through it all.”
Kurtz with his family after a game at Schoellkopf Field. (Photo courtesy of Ryder Kurtz)
Between Kurtz's strong hands and solid frame that allow him to play through heavy contact, alongside his impressive agility, Kurtz emphasized that a coach would not only gain a tight end, but a player capable of filling roles all over the field.
“I could catch the ball. I could block a defensive end. I could come across the line. I feel like I could do it all,” Kurtz said. “I think for me, I've been honing in on making every aspect of my game the best and trying to be the best there is.”
Kurtz is a special player, the kind who only comes to Ithaca every so often. He has one more season with the Red. It's time to sit back and watch one of the program’s greatest offensive players get to work.
Matthew Leonard is a member of the Class of 2028 in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He is a sports editor of the 144th Editorial Board and was previously the assistant sports editor for the 143rd Editorial Board. He can be reached at mleonard@cornellsun.com.
