Jake Funk Bio
Jake Funk (born January 11, 1998) is an American professional football running back who currently plays in the National Football League. A Gaithersburg, Maryland native, Funk played college football for the Maryland Terrapins before being selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He won a Super Bowl championship with the Rams in his rookie season and has since played for multiple NFL franchises. Funk is married to Hannah Ann Sluss, a former contestant on The Bachelor.
Early Life and Background
Jake Funk was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he attended Damascus High School. During his senior year, Funk delivered a historic performance in the Maryland state championship game, scoring a title-game record seven rushing touchdowns against Dundalk High School. He finished his senior season as the Maryland state record holder for touchdowns in a single season with 57. His outstanding high school career earned him the 2015 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year award and The Washington Post All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year honors for the same year. Funk also earned two consensus all-state selections during his time at Damascus High School.
Despite his impressive high school statistics and championship success, Funk received modest recruiting ratings. He earned two-star ratings from ESPN and Rivals.com and three-star ratings from 247Sports.com and Scout.com. College recruiters expressed concerns about his straight-line speed, though his strength and versatility on defense made him an intriguing prospect. Funk received scholarship offers from multiple institutions including the three service academies (Army, Navy, and Air Force), Ivy League schools Harvard, Yale, and Penn, and Big Ten programs Wisconsin and Maryland. He ultimately committed to his hometown school, becoming the first commit for then-interim head coach Mike Locksley.
Path to the NFL
Funk enrolled at the University of Maryland in 2016 and immediately contributed as a true freshman, debuting against Howard University where he rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown. He caught his first career touchdown pass against Purdue and finished his freshman season with 136 rushing yards and one touchdown on 29 carries, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He also recorded seven receptions for 42 yards and one receiving touchdown. During his sophomore season, Funk appeared in all 12 games and recorded 145 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries while catching one pass for four yards and a touchdown.
His collegiate career was significantly impacted by injuries. During his junior season, Funk played through a wrist injury before suffering a torn ACL. He returned for his redshirt junior year but tore his ACL again in a game against Temple after carrying the ball 17 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns through the first three games. Due to these injuries and NCAA policy surrounding COVID-19, Funk received an extra year of eligibility, allowing him to return for a redshirt senior season that would become his most productive.
Jake Funk Career
Maryland Breakout Season (2020)
The 2020 season, shortened due to COVID-19, became Funk’s breakthrough campaign. With the departures of Javon Leake and Anthony McFarland Jr. to the NFL, Funk became Maryland’s primary running back option. Across just four games that season, he rushed 60 times for 519 yards, averaging an extraordinary 8.6 yards per carry. That average led the Big Ten Conference and ranked second among all Football Bowl Subdivision running backs. Funk also averaged 129 rushing yards per game, ranking second in the Big Ten and eighth among all FBS backs. He scored three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown during this stretch and was named third-team All-Big Ten. His yards-per-carry average ranked third on Maryland’s all-time single-season list.
Los Angeles Rams (2021–2022)
Despite having two seasons of eligibility remaining and the option to return as a starting back, Funk chose to enter the 2021 NFL Draft. He was selected in the seventh round with the 233rd overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams. On May 16, 2021, Funk signed his four-year rookie contract. During his rookie training camp, Funk indicated he was prepared to contribute primarily as a special teams player. He appeared in games during the early portion of the season before suffering a hamstring injury. On October 18, 2021, coach Sean McVay announced Funk had been placed on injured reserve. He was activated from injured reserve on December 21, 2021. Funk won his first Super Bowl championship when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI. On October 11, 2022, Funk was waived by the Rams.
Journeyman Years (2022–2024)
Following his release from the Rams, Funk has been a member of multiple NFL organizations. On October 12, 2022, he was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad and released on November 8. He joined the Indianapolis Colts practice squad on November 10, 2022, and was promoted to the active roster on January 3, 2023. He was waived by the Colts in August 2023, re-signed to the practice squad, promoted again, and ultimately waived in October. Funk then joined the Miami Dolphins practice squad on October 10, 2023, before being released in November. On December 19, 2023, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad and was released in January 2024. On January 23, 2024, Funk joined the Detroit Lions practice squad, signed a reserve/future contract on January 30, and was waived in August 2024. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on October 1, 2024, and was released on November 5, 2024.
Playing Style and Strengths
Funk is known as a physical, determined runner who attacks the line of scrimmage with competitiveness and vision. Draft analyst Mel Kiper described him as a battler who puts his nose in there and fights, showing quickness to the hole and home-run-hitting ability when he can outrun defenders to the end zone. His college production demonstrated exceptional efficiency, particularly his 8.6 yards per carry average that ranked among the best in college football. Funk also showed the ability to contribute as a receiver and in pass protection, giving him versatility as a backup running back and special teams contributor.
Notable Achievements
Funk’s most significant career accomplishment remains his Super Bowl LVI championship with the Los Angeles Rams in his rookie season of 2021. At the collegiate level, his standout 2020 season at Maryland produced remarkable efficiency numbers despite limited games played. He earned third-team All-Big Ten honors and finished his college career ranking third in Maryland history for yards per carry in a single season. His high school career remains distinguished by the Maryland state record for touchdowns in a season with 57 and his championship game performance of seven rushing touchdowns.
Jake Funk Career Wins and Honors
Throughout his football career, Funk has accumulated notable achievements at both the high school and collegiate levels, along with his professional championship.
Professional Honors
Funk’s primary professional accolade is his Super Bowl LVI championship won with the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 season. This championship came during his rookie year despite limited playing time due to injury.
College and High School Achievements
During his college career at Maryland, Funk was named third-team All-Big Ten for the 2020 season. His high school accomplishments include being named the 2015 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year, The Washington Post All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year, and earning two consensus all-state selections. He was also named the 2015 Maryland state record holder for touchdowns in a season.
Jake Funk Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Funk comes from a distinguished athletic family. His father, Jim Funk, played football at Penn State University. His mother, A’Lisa Funk, was a national title-winning swimmer at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Two of Funk’s grandparents were also athletes at Penn State, and his grandmother Jean was among Penn State’s first female athletes, competing for the men’s rifle team. This strong athletic foundation provided Funk with both genetic advantages and a culture of competitive excellence from a young age.
Personal Life
Funk has a brother named Jordan who played one year of football at Army before transferring to James Madison University. He also has a half-brother who played lacrosse at Ohio State University and professionally for the Minnesota Swarm. His half-brother earned a doctorate from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, owns several physical therapy clinics in Montgomery County, and assisted Jake with his ACL rehabilitation during his college career. Funk began dating Hannah Ann Sluss, who won The Bachelor in 2020, in November 2021. They announced their engagement on January 25, 2023, and married on June 26, 2024.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 season, Jake Funk continues his professional football career seeking a consistent role in the NFL. After cycling through seven NFL franchises since his rookie season, Funk remains determined to earn a permanent spot on an active roster. His journey demonstrates the challenges faced by late-round draft picks and players without a clear path to sustained NFL success. Funk’s value lies in his versatility as a running back who can contribute on special teams and in short-yardage situations. Teams continue to evaluate his physical running style and competitive nature as they assess their roster needs throughout the season. His experience gained across multiple organizations provides him with familiarity in various offensive systems and team cultures as he works toward establishing himself in the league.