Kansas Jayhawks UDFA Jared Casey is embracing underdog mentality as he tries out for the Chiefs during rookie minicamp

Among the many undrafted free agents that received an invite to try out at Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp is tight end/fullback Jared Casey.

Spending his entire four-year collegiate career at Kansas, Casey was named First Team Academic All-Big 12 three times. In 2024 he earned CSC Academic Second Team All-America honors, and was also named First Team All-Big 12 as a fullback.

Casey caught 53 passes for 635 yards and 10 touchdowns during his time with the Jayhawks. Now he's looking to catch on with an NFL team, starting with the Chiefs. Casey knows he's a longshot, but he embraces the underdog mentality and remains confident in what he brings to the table.

"I don't really care," Casey said while speaking to the media during Chiefs rookie camp on Sunday. "I mean, obviously I'm shorter than most guys. I may not be as big as some guys, but that's been like that my whole life. I've been told that my whole life. And I don't really care what everybody else says. I know what I bring to the table, and I truly believe that. And just like I said earlier, my trust and faith in God will take me a long way."

At 6-feet tall and 245 pounds, Casey is a bit undersized to be a true tight end in the NFL, but having those skills and the knowledge of that position is a plus. His ticket to an NFL roster will be as a fullback and special teams contributor, which he proved during his time at Kansas he can do.

Another challenge Casey will face is that the fullback position has become a dying breed over the last several years. However, some teams - like the Chiefs - still utilize and value FBs. Kansas City has a good one in Carson Steele, but if Casey performs well perhaps he'll get a shot elsewhere.