Last Updated on October 16, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Kai Kroeger is an American professional football player who plays as a punter for the Houston Texans in the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 11, 2002, Kroeger grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois, and played college football at the University of South Carolina before entering the NFL in 2025.
Beyond his football career, Kroeger comes from a supportive family that helped him develop into one of the country’s leading punters. His parents traveled extensively to football camps and college campuses, providing encouragement throughout his athletic development.
Kai Kroeger’s parents are Fred Kroeger and Monica Kroeger. A 2021 newspaper profile also confirmed that he had a girlfriend from South Carolina at the time, although her name and their current relationship status have not been publicly verified.
While Kroeger’s parents have participated in interviews about his football journey, he maintains considerable privacy regarding his siblings, romantic relationships, and whether he has children.
Here is everything publicly known about Kai Kroeger’s girlfriend, children, parents, siblings, and family background.
Kai Kroeger’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating or Married?
Kai Kroeger was publicly reported to have a girlfriend in October 2021, but his current relationship status has not been reliably confirmed.
The relationship was mentioned in an October 14, 2021, article published by The State, a South Carolina newspaper.
The feature included interviews with Kroeger, his parents, former teammates, and football coaches.
While discussing how he had adapted to living in South Carolina after growing up in Illinois, the newspaper reported that his girlfriend was also from South Carolina.
However, the article did not identify her by name.
Since then, Kroeger has generally kept his romantic relationships outside public attention.
His official Houston Texans biography, South Carolina player profile, and more recent football interviews do not reliably establish whether he remains with the same partner.
Who Was Kai Kroeger’s Girlfriend in College?
During his sophomore season at the University of South Carolina, Kroeger was reportedly dating a woman from South Carolina.
The relationship was referenced in The State’s October 2021 profile about his rise as a college football specialist.
At the time, Kroeger had moved from Lake Forest to Columbia, South Carolina, and was becoming increasingly comfortable with life in the southeastern United States.
He enjoyed outdoor activities such as golf and fishing and had begun adapting to the region’s culture.
The article noted that his girlfriend was from South Carolina, but provided no further identifying information.
Her age, education, occupation, and hometown were not disclosed.
It would therefore be inaccurate to assign a specific name to Kroeger’s former or current girlfriend without additional verification.
Is Kai Kroeger Still Dating His College Girlfriend?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Kroeger remains in the relationship reported in 2021.
He completed five seasons at South Carolina before beginning his professional football career in 2025.
His NFL journey subsequently took him to New York, New Orleans, and Houston.
However, recent reporting about those moves has focused on his athletic development, roster opportunities, and professional performances rather than his romantic life.
Without a recent statement from Kroeger or another reliable source, his current dating status remains publicly unconfirmed.
Is Kai Kroeger Married?
There is currently no reliable public confirmation that Kai Kroeger is married.
No verified wedding announcement, marriage interview, or official NFL biography reviewed identifies a wife.
Although he previously had a girlfriend, that information alone does not establish that he is now married or engaged.
His marital status therefore remains publicly unverified.
Kai Kroeger’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
As of now, there is no reliable public information confirming that Kai Kroeger has children.
Although Kroeger has become an established NFL punter, he has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father.
His official South Carolina and Houston Texans player biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Similarly, major interviews discussing his family and professional football journey have not established that he has children.
However, the absence of publicly available information does not necessarily mean that he has no children.
Some professional athletes prefer to keep their family relationships private.
Until Kroeger or another reliable source confirms otherwise, his status as a father remains publicly unverified.
Does Kai Kroeger Have a Son?
There are currently no verified public reports confirming that Kai Kroeger has a son.
Does Kai Kroeger Have a Daughter?
There is also no reliable public confirmation that Kai Kroeger has a daughter.
His publicly documented family relationships primarily concern his parents, Fred and Monica Kroeger.
Kai Kroeger’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
Kai Kroeger’s parents are Fred Kroeger and Monica Kroeger.
Their identities were confirmed in an October 2021 interview published by The State and a July 2025 profile written by journalist Jon Kerr.
Both parents played important roles in their son’s development as a football specialist.
They helped him attend kicking camps, explore college scholarship opportunities, and navigate the recruiting process.
Even after Kroeger entered professional football, Fred and Monica continued supporting his career.
Kai Kroeger’s Father: Fred Kroeger
Fred Kroeger is Kai Kroeger’s father and an important supporter of his football career.
His identity was established in The State’s October 14, 2021, profile.
Fred participated in an interview about his son’s experiences at South Carolina and recalled watching one of Kai’s most memorable college football plays.
During a game against Tennessee on October 9, 2021, Kroeger received the snap on a fourth-down play.
Instead of punting, he threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to receiver Payton Mangrum.
Fred was watching the game and reacted enthusiastically when he realized his son had completed the unexpected pass.
The moment demonstrated how closely he followed Kai’s development and celebrated his achievements.
How Fred Kroeger Supported Kai’s College Recruitment
One of Fred’s most important contributions came during his son’s high school recruiting process.
Although Kai was recognized as one of the nation’s leading young punters, earning a college football scholarship was not straightforward.
College programs generally award relatively few scholarships to specialists, making the recruiting process especially competitive.
To increase Kai’s opportunities, Fred traveled with him to numerous college campuses and football camps.
According to The State, the father and son visited programs including South Carolina, LSU, Wisconsin, Penn State, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Louisville, Syracuse, Minnesota, and Ball State.
These journeys required considerable time and planning.
Fred had accumulated approximately 800,000 frequent-flyer miles with United Airlines before Kai began his recruiting visits.
According to the newspaper, he used all those miles while helping his son visit potential college destinations.
The experience demonstrated the family’s commitment to finding an opportunity where Kai could develop both academically and athletically.
His efforts eventually helped Kai connect with the University of South Carolina, which offered him a football scholarship in June 2019.
Fred Kroeger’s Support During Kai’s NFL Career
Fred remained closely involved as Kai progressed from college football toward the NFL.
After Kroeger went undrafted in 2025, he continued pursuing professional opportunities.
He eventually signed with the New York Jets in May 2025.
In a July 15, 2025, interview published by Jon Kerr’s Scouts Football Newsletter, Kroeger discussed how his family had supported him during the stressful draft and contract process.
The article reported that Fred and Monica planned to attend his first preseason game with the Jets at Lambeau Field.
The game was scheduled against the Green Bay Packers, providing another memorable moment for the family.
Although Kroeger was subsequently released by the Jets before playing that preseason game, the family’s intention to attend demonstrated its continuing support.
Fred’s professional occupation and educational background have not been extensively documented in the reliable sports sources reviewed.
Kai Kroeger’s Mother: Monica Kroeger
Monica Kroeger is Kai Kroeger’s mother and another important influence on his athletic development.
Her identity was confirmed in The State’s October 2021 interview.
Monica participated in the reporting and discussed how her son attracted attention from specialist coaches during high school.
She also described his transition from Illinois to college life in South Carolina.
Like Fred, Monica supported Kai’s athletic ambitions and helped him recognize opportunities to improve his kicking abilities.
How Monica Kroeger Helped Discover Kai’s Potential
One of the most significant moments in Kai’s development occurred during a kicking camp at Loyola Academy in Illinois.
According to The State, Kai attended the camp during his freshman year of high school.
After observing his performance, camp director Filip Filipovic approached Monica.
Filipovic was a former professional punter who had competed in the NFL.
He recognized potential in Kai and believed he could develop into a highly skilled college football specialist with consistent training.
The conversation helped the family understand that Kai’s kicking abilities could eventually lead to significant opportunities.
Afterward, Kroeger continued working with specialist instructors, including Luke Radke and Joe Gardener of Kohl’s Kicking.
His performances improved considerably as he gained experience.
He eventually became one of the highest-rated punting prospects in the 2020 recruiting class.
Monica Kroeger’s Support for Kai’s College Decision
Monica also helped her son navigate the transition from high school to college football.
When Kai visited the University of South Carolina, she noticed that he felt comfortable with the program and its environment.
According to her October 2021 interview, she believed South Carolina offered an atmosphere where Kai could thrive.
His decision to enroll required him to move hundreds of miles from his family in Illinois.
The transition became particularly challenging because it occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the circumstances, Kroeger continued practicing and developing his skills.
His mother remained supportive as he adjusted to living in Columbia and competing in the Southeastern Conference.
How Kai Kroeger’s Parents Celebrated His NFL Opportunity
Kai returned to his parents’ home in Lake Forest during the 2025 NFL Draft.
According to Jon Kerr’s July 2025 interview, he watched the draft while awaiting news about potential professional opportunities.
Although no team selected him, his agent continued receiving interest from NFL organizations.
After negotiations involving several teams, Kroeger accepted an opportunity with the New York Jets.
His parents shared his excitement as he prepared to begin professional football.
Later that summer, he joined the New Orleans Saints and earned a place on their roster.
The achievement marked an important milestone after years of family travel, training camps, and recruiting visits.
Kai Kroeger’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
As of now, Kai Kroeger’s siblings have not been reliably identified through official football biographies or major family interviews.
Although his parents have discussed his athletic development, the publicly available reporting reviewed does not establish how many brothers or sisters he has.
His official South Carolina biography identifies his academic and athletic achievements but does not provide a complete list of family members.
Similarly, the 2021 interview with Fred and Monica Kroeger does not identify any siblings.
The July 2025 NFL-related family profile also focuses on his parents without naming brothers or sisters.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that Kroeger is an only child or assign him siblings whose relationships have not been independently verified.
Does Kai Kroeger Have a Brother?
There is currently no reliable public confirmation identifying a brother of Kai Kroeger.
Although people sharing the Kroeger surname appear in online directories, those records do not establish a verified sibling relationship with the NFL player.
No brother’s name, age, or occupation can be confidently reported based on the reliable sources reviewed.
Does Kai Kroeger Have a Sister?
There is also no reliable public confirmation identifying a sister of Kai Kroeger.
His official NFL and college football records do not name any sisters.
Until Kroeger or another credible source provides additional information, his sibling relationships remain private.
Kai Kroeger’s Childhood and Early Life
Kai Martin Kroeger was born on June 11, 2002, and grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago.
He developed an interest in football at a young age.
According to The State, he began playing flag football during fourth grade and enjoyed positions that allowed him to handle the ball.
He later attended Deer Path Middle School, where he gained experience as a quarterback and punter.
Kroeger began developing specialist skills while still in elementary school and participated in organized punting during seventh grade.
His interest in different football positions helped him become a versatile athlete rather than focusing exclusively on kicking.
He eventually enrolled at Lake Forest High School, where he continued competing as a punter, quarterback, and wide receiver.
Kai Kroeger’s High School Football Career
At Lake Forest High School, Kroeger developed into one of the country’s leading punting prospects.
He played under head coach Chuck Spagnoli, who recognized his athletic ability and kicking potential.
His first varsity appearance was difficult.
During a 2017 playoff game, Kroeger mishit his opening punt, causing the ball to travel only a short distance before rolling backward.
However, he continued practicing and eventually became known for his accuracy and ability to place punts near the sidelines.
He participated in kicking camps with respected specialist instructors and earned high national rankings.
According to South Carolina Athletics, he was ranked as the nation’s top punting prospect by Kohl’s Kicking.
During his senior season, he also contributed as a wide receiver.
One memorable play came when he caught a 59-yard touchdown pass against Stevenson High School.
His performance helped Lake Forest qualify for the state playoffs.
Kroeger eventually received a scholarship offer from the University of South Carolina in June 2019.
His parents’ support throughout the recruiting process helped him reach this important milestone.
How Kai Kroeger’s Family Influenced His College Football Career
Kroeger enrolled at the University of South Carolina in 2020.
He immediately earned the starting punter position as a freshman.
During his first season, he averaged 43.3 yards per punt and received SEC All-Freshman Team recognition.
In 2021, he gained national attention for his punting ability and his touchdown pass during a fake punt against Tennessee.
His performances improved significantly during the 2022 season.
He averaged 46.1 yards per punt and earned First-Team All-American recognition from multiple publications.
Kroeger also developed a reputation for his versatility as a passer and holder during trick plays.
He remained with South Carolina through the 2024 season, completing five years with the program.
During his final season, he averaged a career-best 47.8 yards per punt and earned another All-American selection.
He finished his college career with 265 punts for 11,823 yards.
According to South Carolina Athletics, his career punting yardage ranked second in Southeastern Conference history at the time.
He also completed seven of 10 career pass attempts for 205 yards and three touchdowns.
Outside athletics, Kroeger studied history and received multiple SEC Academic Honor Roll selections.
His achievements reflected the determination and consistency he developed throughout his early years.
Kai Kroeger’s NFL Career and Family Support
Kai Kroeger entered the 2025 NFL Draft after completing his college football career at South Carolina.
Although he was not selected, several NFL teams expressed interest in signing him.
On May 13, 2025, he joined the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
The opportunity was significant because the Jets had released veteran punter Thomas Morstead, whom Kroeger admired while growing up.
However, the Jets released Kroeger in July 2025.
He subsequently signed with the New Orleans Saints on July 31, 2025.
Kroeger earned the Saints’ starting punter position and appeared in all 17 regular-season games.
During his rookie season, he recorded 56 punts for 2,511 yards, averaging 44.8 yards per punt.
He placed 18 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
On March 11, 2026, New Orleans traded Kroeger and a 2028 seventh-round draft pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round selection.
The move provided another opportunity for him to continue developing as an NFL punter.
During the first five games of the 2026 season, he recorded 20 punts for 959 yards, averaging approximately 48 yards per attempt.
As of now, Kroeger plays for Houston wearing jersey number 38.
His journey from Lake Forest to South Carolina and the NFL reflects the years of training, determination, and family encouragement that helped him pursue professional football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kai Kroeger’s Family
Who is Kai Kroeger’s girlfriend?
A 2021 interview published by The State reported that Kai Kroeger had a girlfriend from South Carolina. However, her name was not disclosed, and his current relationship status has not been reliably confirmed.
Is Kai Kroeger married?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Kai Kroeger is married or has a wife.
Does Kai Kroeger have children?
There are currently no verified public reports confirming that Kai Kroeger has children.
Who is Kai Kroeger’s father?
Kai Kroeger’s father is Fred Kroeger. He traveled with Kai to numerous college campuses and football camps, using approximately 800,000 accumulated frequent-flyer miles during the recruiting process.
Who is Kai Kroeger’s mother?
Kai Kroeger’s mother is Monica Kroeger. She supported his early football development and was present when a specialist coach recognized his potential during a high school kicking camp.
How many siblings does Kai Kroeger have?
The number of Kai Kroeger’s siblings has not been reliably established in official player biographies or major family interviews.
Does Kai Kroeger have a brother?
No brother has been independently confirmed through reliable public reporting.
Does Kai Kroeger have a sister?
No sister has been independently confirmed through reliable public reporting.
Where is Kai Kroeger’s family from?
Kai Kroeger grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago, where his parents supported his development as a football specialist.
Which college did Kai Kroeger attend?
Kai Kroeger attended the University of South Carolina, where he played football from 2020 through 2024 and became one of the program’s most accomplished punters.
When did Kai Kroeger join the Houston Texans?
Kai Kroeger joined the Houston Texans through a trade with the New Orleans Saints on March 11, 2026.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
