Peyton Hendershot

Peyton Hendershot (born April 23, 1999) is an American professional football tight end who has played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League. The Lizton, Indiana native went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft before signing with the Dallas Cowboys, where he appeared in all 17 games as a rookie and scored his first NFL touchdown. Hendershot spent parts of two seasons with the Cowboys before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers from 2017 to 2021, where he became the program’s career leader for tight ends with 136 receptions and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior.

Peyton Hendershot Bio

Hendershot developed into one of the most productive tight ends in Indiana University history during his five seasons with the Hoosiers. His combination of size, reliability as a receiver, and consistency helped him set school records at the tight end position. After going undrafted in 2022, he carved out a role in the NFL as a blocking and receiving option at the tight end position. His professional career has included stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, along with a selection by the Dallas Renegades in the 2026 UFL Draft.

Early Life and Background

Peyton Hendershot grew up in Lizton, Indiana, and attended Tri-West Hendricks High School. As a sophomore in 2014, he contributed to the team winning the 3A state championship, establishing himself as a promising talent early in his high school career. His versatility became evident during his junior year when he played both ways as a tight end on offense and defensive end on defense. That season, he posted 51 receptions for 685 yards and eight touchdowns on offense while also recording 30 tackles including five for loss, four sacks, and three pass breakups on defense.

As a senior, Hendershot continued his impressive production with 67 receptions for 896 yards and nine touchdowns. Over his entire high school career, he finished with 157 catches for 2,170 yards and 22 touchdowns. His standout performances earned him All-county, All-conference, 6A All-state honors, Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 recognition, and the Indianapolis Star position award for tight ends. Beyond football, Hendershot also participated in basketball, where he showcased his athletic ability by averaging 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game as a junior.

Path to the NFL

Hendershot accepted a football scholarship from Indiana University Bloomington, choosing to continue his academic and athletic career close to home. He arrived at Indiana in 2017 as a true freshman and appeared in the first four games as a backup tight end. Unfortunately, his rookie season was cut short by an injury that required a medical redshirt, preserving his eligibility for future seasons. This early adversity would shape his resilience and work ethic throughout his college career.

During his redshirt freshman season in 2018, Hendershot started in 10 of 11 games while rotating with fellow tight end Austin Dorris. He recorded 15 receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to contribute immediately in the passing game. His performance against Rutgers University stood out, where he caught two passes for 47 yards. The experience gained that season laid the foundation for his breakout campaign the following year.

As a sophomore in 2019, Hendershot started all 13 games and set the school’s single-season tight end record with 52 catches for 622 yards. He recorded seven contests with at least 50 receiving yards and six games with five or more receptions. His versatility as a receiver was on full display throughout the season, and his consistency made him a reliable target for Indiana’s quarterback. That year established him as a focal point of the Hoosiers’ offense and hinted at the record-breaking career that would follow.

Peyton Hendershot Career

College Career at Indiana (2018-2021)

Hendershot’s junior season in 2020 was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced the schedule to eight games. Despite battling injuries throughout the year, he started all eight games and posted 23 receptions for 151 yards and four receiving touchdowns. His standout performance came against Rutgers University, where he recorded six receptions for 34 yards and scored his first career two-touchdown game. He also contributed in the passing game against ranked opponents, including a four-reception, 31-yard, one-touchdown performance in a victory over the No. 23 ranked University of Michigan.

As a senior in 2021, Hendershot reached his full potential under starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. He started all 12 games and registered 46 receptions that tied for the team lead, 543 receiving yards that led the team, and four touchdowns, ranking third in school history for tight ends. He became the first tight end in Indiana history to record two 100-yard receiving games in a single season, including a seven-catch, 100-yard performance against Western Kentucky University. He earned third-team All-Big Ten honors for his outstanding season. Over his Indiana career, Hendershot appeared in 45 games and finished as the school’s career leader for tight ends with 136 receptions for 1,479 yards while ranking second with 14 receiving touchdowns.

Dallas Cowboys (2022-2023)

Hendershot signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022, following the conclusion of the NFL Draft. He made the initial 53-man roster out of training camp, earning a spot as the team’s third-string tight end behind Dalton Schultz and fellow rookie Jake Ferguson. His ability to contribute on special teams and as a reliable backup helped him secure a roster spot despite not being drafted. This accomplishment represented a significant milestone in his football journey.

In Week 7 of the 2022 season, Hendershot scored his first NFL touchdown on a two-yard reception in the Cowboys’ 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions. The milestone marked his transition from practice squad player to active contributor. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games with two starts and recorded 11 receptions for 103 yards, two touchdowns, and three special teams tackles. His consistent availability and production throughout the season demonstrated his ability to compete at the NFL level.

In 2023, although starting tight end Dalton Schultz departed in free agency, the Cowboys drafted Luke Schoonmaker in the second round, which affected Hendershot’s path to more playing time. He remained the team’s third-string tight end behind Jake Ferguson and Schoonmaker. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve on October 12, 2023. After being activated on December 6, he appeared in eight games with one start, registering four receptions for 38 yards. The ankle injury was serious enough to require offseason surgery, limiting his availability during the second half of the season.

Kansas City Chiefs (2024)

Hendershot was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick on August 27, 2024. The trade provided him with an opportunity to join a defending Super Bowl champion and compete for a roster spot in a different offensive system. His versatility as both a receiver and blocker made him an intriguing option for the Chiefs’ tight end rotation.

On September 17, Hendershot was waived by the Chiefs and re-signed to the practice squad, where he continued to develop and wait for his opportunity. He was promoted to the active roster on November 2, 2024, providing depth at the tight end position. However, his season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on November 26, 2024. He was activated from injured reserve on December 23, just in time for the postseason stretch run. He appeared in seven games as a backup and recorded five receptions for 51 yards during the regular season. He played in all three of the Chiefs’ playoff games, contributing on special teams and as a reserve tight end during their championship run. He was not re-signed by the Chiefs after the season.

Playing Style and Strengths

Hendershot’s value as an NFL tight end stems from his size, reliable hands, and ability to contribute as both a receiver and in-line blocker. His 6-foot-4 frame allows him to be a red-zone target and a reliable option on third downs. At Indiana, he demonstrated the ability to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties due to his route-running precision and body control. His experience playing in multiple offensive systems at both the college and professional levels has helped him adapt to different schemes and quarterbacks.

Notable Career Milestones

Several moments stand out in Hendershot’s professional career. His first NFL touchdown in Week 7 of the 2022 season against the Detroit Lions marked his arrival as an NFL player. As a rookie, his ability to appear in all 17 games while earning a spot on the initial 53-man roster demonstrated his reliability and special teams value. In college, he set Indiana’s single-season tight end record with 52 catches in 2019 and became the program’s career leader at the position with 136 receptions. His 100-yard receiving games as a senior in 2021 made him the first tight end in school history to achieve that feat twice in a single season.

Peyton Hendershot Career Statistics

Hendershot has compiled modest but steady statistics through his first three NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs. His ability to contribute on special teams and in the running game has supplemented his receiving production. At the college level, his numbers reflect a prolific career that placed him among Indiana’s all-time greats at the tight end position.

NFL Statistics

Across three seasons, Hendershot appeared in 32 NFL games with three starts. He has recorded 20 receptions for 192 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He also contributed two carries for two rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. In the postseason, he has appeared in four playoff games with the Kansas City Chiefs, contributing on special teams and as a reserve tight end during their championship run.

College Statistics

During his five seasons at Indiana University from 2017 to 2021, Hendershot appeared in 45 games. He finished his career as the school’s career leader for tight ends with 136 receptions for 1,479 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. His single-season record of 52 receptions set in 2019 stood as the program standard for tight ends. His 46 receptions in 2021 led the team and his 543 receiving yards that season also topped the Hoosiers’ receiving corps.

Peyton Hendershot Family

Specific details about Hendershot’s family background are not extensively documented in public sources. He has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout his football career, focusing on his athletic development and professional opportunities. Information regarding his parents, siblings, or family lineage in football has not been publicly verified through reliable sources.

2025 Season Outlook

Entering the 2025 season, Hendershot remains unsigned by an NFL team following his departure from the Kansas City Chiefs. His journey through the league has demonstrated resilience, having overcome injuries and roster transitions to remain in the NFL for three seasons. His experience playing for both the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs provides him with familiarity in multiple offensive systems. His ability to contribute as both a receiver and blocker gives him value as a potential depth option at tight end for teams seeking experience at the position.

Hendershot’s college production at Indiana suggests he has the talent to compete at the NFL level if given a consistent opportunity. His 136 career receptions for nearly 1,500 yards at the college level demonstrate his ability to be a reliable receiving option. As he continues his professional career, Hendershot will look to build upon his NFL experience and secure a roster spot that allows him to showcase his skills on a regular basis.