K. J. Hamler

Hamler moved from his hometown, Pontiac, Michigan, to Florida to play his final year of high school football as a senior at IMG Academy. Before his first career game at IMG Academy, he tore his ACL. Prior to transferring to IMG Academy, Hamler was a two-year letterman at St. Mary's Preparatory School in Orchard Lake, Michigan. He was rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and Scout and a three star prospect by 247Sports. He also ran track for two seasons. ==College career==

2017 season Hamler redshirted as a freshman at Penn State due to suffering a torn ACL the previous year. Against Ohio State, Hamler was awarded Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week honors after recording four receptions for 138 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown. Through five games, Hamler recorded 13 receptions for 308 yards and four touchdowns in his first season as a collegiate athlete. 2019 season In the 2019 season, Hamler recorded 56 receptions for 904 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. ==Professional career==

Denver Broncos 2020 season Hamler was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. In Week 2, Hamler made his NFL debut and recorded three receptions for 48 receiving yards in a 26–21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Hamler recorded his first career touchdown catch with no time remaining on the clock to help the Broncos win the game 31–30. In Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers, Hamler recorded two receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns during the 32–27 victory. On January 2, 2021, Hamler was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. He finished his rookie season with 30 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns. He caught a touchdown from Drew Lock during the Broncos' first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. He suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 28, 2021. 2022 season On December 3, 2022, Hamler was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He played in seven games and recorded seven receptions for 165 yards in the 2022 season. On March 23, 2023, Hamler was ruled out for 4–6 months after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn pectoral muscle he suffered while training on his own. On July 31, 2023, Hamler announced he was diagnosed with pericarditis. Hamler was then waived by the Denver Broncos with a non-football illness designation. Indianapolis Colts Hamler signed with the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts on September 30, 2023. He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract. Buffalo Bills Hamler signed a reserve/future contract with the Buffalo Bills on January 20, 2024. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 27 and signed back to the practice squad the following day. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 28, 2025. On August 26, Hamler was released by the Bills as part of final roster cuts. He was heavily featured on the 2025 season of Hard Knocks, which covered the Bills. Orlando Storm On January 29, 2026, Hamler signed with the Orlando Storm of the United Football League (UFL). ==Career statistics==

NFL UFL College == References ==