CLEVELAND — Kyle Juszczyk is known as “Juice” on the 49ers. Cloverleaf High School head coach Justin Vorhies said when he coached him, he had a different name.

What You Need To Know

  • 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk played high school football at Cloverleaf High School in Ohio

  • He has been labeled as a revolutionary type of fullback who can play all over the field 

  • Juszczyk helped lead his Cloverleaf team to its first every playoff berth, while playing multiple positions 

“We actually called him wee man back in high school,” Vorhies said. “Cause he used to be a ball boy.”

Kyle was a Swiss army knife, playing wherever he was needed.

“Few games at quarterback,” Vorhies said. “Tight end, running back receiver on offense. And he was our starting middle linebacker.”

Vorhies was the school’s wide receiver coach when Juszczyk was here. He said Juszczyk helped lead the program to its first ever playoff berth.

“Just his leadership and his ability to get guys to buy in and everyone to be on the same page. That’s what was special about that group.”

Vorhies said Juszczyk excelled in the classroom as well. After earning all state honors, he played at Harvard, which doesn’t offer athletic scholarships, but Vorhies said it worked out because he got on the field earlier in his college career.

“He had a little bit of MAC interest coming out of school,” Vorhies said. “But a Harvard education, it’s something you can’t pass up. “

Juszczyk played tight end at Harvard and was a twotime All-American. The Baltimore Ravens drafted him in the fourth round. He carved his niche when he joined with the 49ers, where he played fullback but lined up all over the field, redefining a position that Vorhies says is being phased out.

“I think he’s keeping it alive, but hopefully he’s evolving that position,” Vorhies said. “To be more than just a downhill blocker, but a guy who is sought out for their overall skill and abilities.”

Vorhies has kept in touch with Juszczyk and remembers him scoring a touchdown in the last time the 49ers played in a Super Bowl in 2020.

“Our house went crazy,” Vorhies said. “We were celebrating real big. He had actually signed a photo on a card and we had it in a frame and my son was holding it up and down, jumping up and down screaming.”

They lost that game, but Juszczyk gets another crack at the chiefs during this year’s game, giving him another shot at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Hopefully, we get to see Kyle in the end zone again. That would be awesome,” Vorhies said. “And end up getting a Lombardi trophy and a ring. That would be even better.”

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