Ian Bunting

Ian Bunting (born February 10, 1996) is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Michigan and California and was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Bunting has also been a member of the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks.

Ian Bunting
refer to caption
Bunting with Michigan in 2014
Personal information
Born: (1996-02-10) February 10, 1996
Hinsdale, Illinois
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:257 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school:Hinsdale (IL)
College:Michigan
California
Position:Tight end
Undrafted:2019
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Games played:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Bunting was born on February 10, 1996, in Hinsdale, Illinois. He attended Hinsdale Central High School, playing football on offense and defense.

As a senior, he was moved from wide receiver to tight end. He recorded a total of 27 pass receptions for 583 yards and four touchdowns on offense, and also made 12 tackles and two sacks on defense.

He also practiced basketball.

College career

Bunting accepted a football scholarship from the University of Michigan. As a redshirt freshman in 2014, he did not appear in any games.

As a sophomore in 2015, he made five catches as a backup tight end, deep on the depth chart behind Jake Butt.

As a junior in 2016, he started seven games when the team opened in a two tight end formation and recorded five catches again. He was the third-string tight end behind Butt and Khalid Hill.

As a senior in 2017, he made just one catch, after being the fourth-string tight end behind Sean McKeon, Zach Gentry and Hill.

Bunting appeared in a total of 34 games for the school before transferring to the University of California.[1]

In his lone season at California as a fifth-year senior, he appeared in 13 games with four starts. He made 18 catches for 195 yards in the season. Against Oregon, he made his career-long reception of 45 yards.[1]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 6+1⁄2 in
(1.99 m)		 247 lb
(112 kg)		 34 in
(0.86 m)		 10+5⁄8 in
(0.27 m)		4.93 s1.72 s2.77 s4.39 s7.31 s35.0 in
(0.89 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		17 reps
All values from Pro Day[2]

Chicago Bears

After going unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft, Bunting was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.[3] He was waived at the final roster cuts on August 31.[4]

New York Jets

Bunting was signed to the practice squad of the New York Jets on September 2, 2019, and was released on September 25.[4]

Indianapolis Colts

On October 8, 2019, Bunting was signed by the Indianapolis Colts to the practice squad.[5] He was signed to a futures contract on December 30. He was released at the final roster cuts with an injury settlement on September 1, 2020.[6]

Arizona Cardinals

Bunting was signed by the Arizona Cardinals to a futures contract on January 5, 2021, but was waived on August 23.[7]

Seattle Seahawks

On August 26, 2021, after the retirement of Luke Willson, Bunting was signed by the Seattle Seahawks.[8] He was waived on August 31.[9]

Dallas Cowboys

On September 3, 2021, Bunting was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to their practice squad.[10] He was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for their Week 14 game against the Washington Football Team. He replaced an injured Sean McKeon and made his NFL debut in the 27–20 win, while playing 12 special teams snaps and 3 snaps on offense.[11][12]

He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 18, 2022. He was waived/injured on August 15, 2022 and placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.[13] He was waived on April 24, 2023, with a failed physical designation from the same neck injury.

References
  1. "Ian Bunting - Football - University of California Athletics". CalBears.com.
  2. "2019 Draft Scout Ian Bunting, California NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  3. "Longshot: Hinsdale native Ian Bunting making good on a 'hell of an opportunity' to play for the Bears". NBC Sports. August 10, 2019.
  4. "Ian Bunting Transactions & Injuries". Sports Forecaster.
  5. Colts Communications (October 8, 2019). "Colts Sign TE Ian Bunting To Practice Squad". Indianapolis Colts.
  6. Bouda, Nate (September 1, 2020). "Colts Release TE Ian Bunting & OT Andrew Donnal From IR With Settlements". NFL Trade Rumors.
  7. Curtis, Jake (August 23, 2021). "Ex-Cal TE Ian Bunting Waived by Cardinals". Sports Illustrated Cal Bears News, Analysis and More.
  8. Gonzalez, Ty Dane (August 26, 2021). "In Wake of Luke Willson's Retirement, Seahawks Sign TE Ian Bunting". Sports Illustrated.
  9. Crabtree, Curtis (August 31, 2021). "Reports: Seahawks waiving Darece Roberson, Ian Bunting, Cam Sutton". Profootballtalk.com.
  10. Kelberman, Zach (September 3, 2021). "Cowboys Confirm Signing of Massive Tight End". Heavy.
  11. "Cowboys' Ian Bunting: Elevated to active roster". CBS Sports. December 12, 2021.
  12. "Ian Bunting Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  13. "Cowboys make 5 cuts, including spring FA signing, to get down to 85 players". USAToday.com. August 15, 2022.
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