How the Harvard pedigree of 49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk powered his remarkable NFL
Kyle Juszczyk is the highest-paid fullback in NFL history, a seven-time Pro Bowler and an essential reason the
San Francisco 49ers
are two wins from the Super Bowl.
No title carries more pressure for him, though, than “Harvard man.” Even the slightest mistake — a missed block, a dropped pass — leaves Juszczyk susceptible to an all-too-familiar question:
Hey, aren’t you supposed to be smart?
“Harvard guys are kind of expected to be perfect all the time,” said Juszczyk, who became the NFL’s most famous Harvard alum when quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick retired last June after 17 seasons. “You’re supposed to always be the smartest guy in the room.”
This might overwhelm some players, but Juszczyk considers it motivating. His journey from no-star recruit to
reliable NFL cog
is a testament to his
drive. By continuing to push his limts at age 31, Juszczyk has only reinforced the notion that Harvard grads are a reliable source of elite feats.
Kyle Juszczyk caught 125 passes for 1,576 yards and 22 touchdowns in four years as a tight end at Harvard before going onto a decorated NFL career.
Property of Harvard athletics, Photographer
And that’s just fine with him. The more his prestigious alma mater is referenced as a compliment instead of as a punch line in the league, the more Juszczyk knows he’s doing his job. The 49ers
are
paying him $1.7 million more than
any other NFL fullback
this season because his IQ matches his toughness.
A player who takes detailed notes on opponents’ tendencies, Juszczyk offers San Francisco the flexibility to shuttle him between several roles: blocker, receiver, ball-carrier, even decoy. His versatility allows the 49ers to change the look of their offense without switching out players.
Though his stats still aren’t gaudy, Juszczyk might be more valuable than ever. What makes him so important is his knack for fixing his teammates’ gaffes — bobbled handoffs, botched reads — by always being in the right place on the field. For
Brock Purdy
to post a 5-0 record as the starting quarterback since taking over for the injured
Jimmy Garoppolo, the rookie needed Juszczyk’s stabilizing presence and timely blocks.
“On top of being a great athlete who loves the game, he just has this insatiable appetite to improve at everything he does,” Harvard football coach Tim Murphy said. “The combination of those things will make you capable of playing multiple positions at a high level.”
Murphy should know. Harvard has four alums on NFL rosters, and all of them occupied a role in college known as “H-back” that’s a blend between several positions. During his four seasons with the Crimson (2009-12), Juszczyk lined up as an in-line tight end, a fullback, a wide receiver, a slot receiver — whatever the situation demanded.
Such malleability is increasingly prized in the NFL, where spread sets and athletic quarterbacks have forced teams to become more position-less. The 49ers are a prime example. In March 2017, shortly after hiring
Kyle Shanahan
as head coach, San Francisco signed Juszczyk to a four-year, $21 million contract — by far the most lucrative deal ever given to a fullback at the time.
In Juszczyk, Shanahan and general manager John Lynch saw someone who could frustrate defenses by infusing modern wrinkles into simple formations. The 49ers utilize “21” personnel — two backs and one tight end — more than any other team. On-field for critical stretches, Juszczyk bounces all over, using a keen grasp of angles and leverage to free up space for ball-carriers.
It hardly matters that he carried the ball just seven times for 26 total yards this season, or caught 19 passes for 200 yards. Juszczyk forces defenses to account for him just enough when he motions out.
“So much of his impact on the game is the stuff that the casual fan…
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