Jake Ferguson Biography, Age, Height, Spouse, Net Worth, NFL, Stats
Jake Ferguson has firmly established himself as one of the NFL’s premier tight ends, becoming a cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys’ offense by late 2025. Known for his reliable hands, gritty run blocking, and infectious energy, the “Ferg Daddy” (as fans affectionately call him) has evolved from a mid-round draft pick into a Pro Bowl-caliber star. With a massive contract extension signed in July 2025 and a high-profile engagement to athlete-influencer haley cavinder, Ferguson is winning both on and off the field
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Jake Ferguson |
| Nickname | Ferg Daddy |
| Profession | Professional NFL Player (Tight End) |
| Birth Date | January 18, 1999 |
| Age | 26 Years |
| Birth Place | Rapid City, South Dakota, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (American with Spanish heritage via grandfather) |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 244 lbs (111 kg) |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Education | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital Status | Engaged |
| Fiancée | Haley Cavinder |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Brad Ferguson (Father), Dawn Alvarez Thomas (Mother) |
| Famous Relative | Barry Alvarez (Grandfather – Hall of Fame Coach) |
| Current Team | Dallas Cowboys (Jersey #87) |
| Net Worth | ~$16.5 Million (Est. 2025) |
Personal Life
Jake Ferguson’s personal life garnered significant media attention in 2025 due to his relationship with Haley Cavinder, one half of the famous “Cavinder Twins” (social media stars and former college basketball players).
- Relationship Timeline: The couple began dating in late 2023 after connecting on social media.
- Engagement: In April 2025, Ferguson proposed to Haley Cavinder in a romantic beachside setting. The engagement went viral on TikTok and Instagram, cementing them as one of the NFL’s new “power couples.”
- Hobbies: Outside of football, Jake is an avid gamer (often playing Call of Duty) and enjoys spending time on the lake in Wisconsin during the offseason.
Early Life & College Career
Born in Newark, Ohio, Jake grew up in a football household—his grandfather is college legend Barry Alvarez. A preferred walk-on at Wisconsin, he left as a four-year starter, school record-holder for tight-end receptions (145) and a Fourth-Round Pick (129th overall) 2022 NFL Draft .
Career Journey
College Career (Wisconsin Badgers)
At Wisconsin, Ferguson was a model of consistency. From 2017 to 2021, he became a safety valve for his quarterbacks. He finished his collegiate career with 145 receptions for 1,618 yards and 13 touchdowns, breaking the school record for consecutive games with a catch. He was named First-Team All-Big Ten in 2021, solidifying his draft stock.
NFL Beginnings (2022–2023)
The Dallas Cowboys selected Ferguson in the 4th round (129th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
- Rookie Year (2022): Initially a backup to Dalton Schultz, Ferguson flashed potential with 19 catches and 2 touchdowns.
- Breakout (2023): After Schultz departed, Ferguson took over the TE1 role. He exploded onto the scene with 71 catches for 761 yards and 5 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl nod.
2025 Season & Major Contract Extension
The year 2025 marked Ferguson’s transition from “rising star” to “paid superstar.”
- The Contract: On July 27, 2025, Ferguson signed a massive 4-year, $52 million contract extension with the Cowboys, including $30 million guaranteed. This deal made him one of the highest-paid tight ends in the league.
- 2025 Performance: As of Week 14 in December 2025, Ferguson has recorded approximately 75 receptions for 554 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has become Dak Prescott’s favorite red-zone target, known for hurdling defenders and fighting for extra yards.
Spanish Heritage & Off-Field Story
Great-grandfather emigrated from Ranón, Asturias in 1921; Jake wears a Spanish-flag helmet decal and told Diario AS: “I’m trying to be one of the best in the league… and proud of my Spanish roots” .
Physical Statistics
| Measure | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 5 in | 1.95 m |
| Weight | 250 lb | 113 kg |
| 40-yard dash | 4.77 s | |
| Vertical | 34.5 in | 0.88 m |
| Bench press | 15 reps |
Awards & Achievements
- 2023 – NFL Top 100 Players (fan vote)
- 2024 – Cowboys Rookie of the Year nominee
- 2025 – Pro Bowl alternate (announced Dec 2025)
- 2025 – Second-team All-Pro (projected)
Quotes
“I don’t just want to catch the ball; I want to run through someone’s face. That’s the mindset every time I touch the rock.” — Jake Ferguson (on his playing style)
“She’s my best friend. Life is just better when you have someone who understands the grind and supports you through it all.” — Jake Ferguson (on fiancée Haley Cavinder)
Controversies
Jake Ferguson has maintained a relatively clean public image.
- On-Field Scuffles: Known for his aggressive playstyle, he has been involved in minor pushing matches with rivals like the Philadelphia Eagles, but nothing that has led to major suspensions.
- Media Scrutiny: His relationship with Haley Cavinder attracts paparazzi and social media scrutiny, but the couple has handled the attention positively.
Favorites
- Video Game: Call of Duty: Warzone
- Food: Steak and potatoes (classic Midwestern diet)
- NFL Idol: Travis Kelce and george kittle (he models his game after their versatility)
- College Tradition: “Jump Around” at Camp Randall Stadium
Salary & Net Worth 2025
- 2025 cash: $12.5 M signing bonus + $1 M base = $13.5 M
- Guaranteed: $28 M
- Endorsements: Nike, Bojangles, local Dallas car dealerships ≈ $1 M yr⁻¹
Estimated net worth: USD 15 million
Interesting Facts
- Real name Jonathan Quinn Ferguson—he jokes “Jake” came from hospital bracelet typo .
- Learned Spanish during lockdown; now conducts post-game interviews in Español.
- Keeps a genealogy chart in his locker tracing back to Ángel Molina, Asturias 1898 .
- Cycling hobby: rode 100 km around Lake Como during 2024 off-season.
- The “Barry” Connection: He is the only grandson of Barry Alvarez to play in the NFL.
- Dual Threat: In high school, he was an accomplished linebacker and actually preferred hitting people to catching passes initially.
- Basement Battles: He credits his toughness to wrestling matches in the basement with his older brother, Joe, who also played safety for Wisconsin.
Social Media Links
- Instagram: @jakeferguson (410k)
- Twitter/X: @jakeferguson (180k)
- TikTok: sporadic behind-the-scenes clips
FAQs
Q1: How many catches does Jake Ferguson have in 2025?
A1: 70 through Week 13—second among all NFL tight ends.
Q2: What is Jake Ferguson’s contract?
A2: Four-year, $52 million extension signed July 2025, running through 2029 season.
Q3: Is Jake Ferguson Spanish?
A3: He wears a Spanish-flag helmet decal; great-grandfather emigrated from Ranón, Asturias in 1921.
Q4: What is Jake Ferguson’s real name?
A4: Jonathan Quinn Ferguson—he goes by “Ferg” in the locker room.
Q5: How many touchdowns has he scored in 2025?
A5: 6 TDs as of Week 13—already a career high.
Conclusion
From walk-on to $52 million man, Jake Ferguson’s 2025 breakout is equal parts grit, genealogy and gridiron savvy. If he keeps hauling in Dak’s lasers at this pace, “Ferg” won’t just be Dallas’ tight end of the future—he’ll be the present Pro-Bowl standard. Share this bio with the fantasy manager who still thinks tight ends can’t win you a chip.
