Can Giants UDFA OT Ryan Schernecke make the leap from DII Kutztown to the NFL?

Ryan Schernecke (75) | Kutztown Athletic Department

It isn’t often that an NFL team makes signing an undrafted free agent from a relatively small Division II program a clear priority.

But that’s just what the New York Giants signaled when they signed Kutztown University offensive tackle Ryan Schernecke to a fully guaranteed $282,500 contract ($247,500 base salary, $35 thousand signing bonus) almost as soon as the 2026 NFL Draft was done.

Schernecke might be an unheralded prospect at the national level, however he was a major piece for the Kutztown Golden Bears. The 6-foot-7, 318-pound (pro day measurements) left tackle has started 43 games over his college career. He was impressive at his pro day, notching:

• 5.18-second 40-yard dash
• 9-foot-2 broad jump
• 7.60-second 3-cone drill
• 4.70-second short shuttle
• 30 reps on the bench press

Each of those were above-average for the offensive tackle position, with the Combine position averages being,

• 5.25 second 40-yard dash
• 8-foot-7 broad jump
• 7.79 second 3-cone
• 4.75 second short shuttle
• 24 reps

Schernecke was a three-time All-PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) selection, and first team All-PSAC in 2024 and 2025. In 2025 Schernecke was voted second-team AP All American, as well as a finalist for the Gene Upshaw award for the best Division II lineman.

Kutztown went 14-1 last year, with their only loss coming in the semifinals of the Division II championship tournament.

Kutztown’s offensive line was a strength of their team, ranking fourth in Division II in tackles for a loss (3.31 allowed per game) and fifth in sacks allowed (0.69 per game). It remains to be seen how he’ll make the leap from the PSAC to the NFL, but Schernecke has the traits to at least be an intriguing developmental offensive tackle.