It’s official — love is in the air for one of sports’ favourite power couples! Former college basketball star and social media sensation Haley Cavinder recently got engaged to Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson. And just like how their relationship has proven, the announcement also came in grand fashion. Cavender posted a carousel of images from what was seemingly a beautiful beachside proposal, complete with elaborate floral arrangements and an extremely happy couple at the forefront of it.

The former Hurricanes star was seen flaunting a huge diamond-studded ring, which serves as a fitting next chapter for a relationship that has gone from strength to strength since 2023. Cavinder, a social media influencer with a million followers, understandably stunned her followers with the news. And while some fans might be wondering who exactly Jake Ferguson is, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into who Haley’s future husband is, and what makes him a star in his own right!

Who is Jake Ferguson, Haley Cavinder’s fiancé?

While college basketball fans know a lot about Haley Cavinder, Jake Ferguson is also a successful athlete. In fact, he is quickly becoming one of NFL’s rising stars. Born January 18, 1999, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Jake has quickly made a name for himself. He started his college football career at the University of Wisconsin, suiting up for the Badgers from 2017 to 2021.
Over four seasons, Jake hauled in 145 receptions for 1,618 yards and 13 touchdowns — pretty impressive for a tight end. His reliability and playmaking ability made him one of Wisconsin’s most trusted offensive weapons. In 2022, Jake’s dream of playing in the NFL came true when the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the fourth round of the draft (129th overall pick).

After a solid rookie season, he exploded onto the scene in 2023 and posted 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns. He even shone in the playoffs, scoring three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ Wild Card game against the Packers. Safe to say, Jake isn’t just riding the bench — he’s making major moves in the NFL and building a name for himself as one of the top young tight ends to watch.

How did Jake Ferguson and Haley Cavinder’s relationship develop?

Jake and Haley’s love story started back in 2023. In a video, Cavinder gave a sneak peek of how their love story started. She said, “He DM’d me. He likes to say I DM’d him, but I didn’t.”

As it turns out, Cavinder refutes that she was the one who initiated the conversation between the two. However, the two seemingly hit it off quickly. “I was in Fort Lauderdale at the time. He has a place in Florida as well and we went on a date and just kinda met up — and then hung out for 10 days straight.’’ After a few months of dating, they decided to go public with their relationship.

And while fans were mostly excited, unfortunately, Haley also faced her share of online negativity. which affected her so much that it led to mental breakdowns. She revealed she faced a lot of comments attacking her looks, which made her insecure.

But true to personality, Haley didn’t let any outside noise get in the way of their bond. The two have continued to support each other both online and offline, and celebrated their one-year anniversary in September 2024. And now has come the big moment. Jake popped the question during a dreamy beach proposal, and Haley happily said yes!

What is Jake Ferguson’s background and family connection to sports?

If you’re wondering where Jake gets his football smarts and grit from, look no further than his family. Jake grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and attended the James Madison Memorial High School (now Vel Phillips Memorial). There, he stood out as both a wide receiver and linebacker.
But football was more than just a passion for Jake. It’s part of his DNA. His grandfather is none other than Barry Alvarez, the legendary former head coach and athletic director at the University of Wisconsin. Alvarez played a huge role in turning Wisconsin’s football program into a national powerhouse, and Jake grew up surrounded by that legacy.
Having someone like Barry Alvarez in his corner definitely shaped Jake’s journey, but it’s clear that he has carved out his own path with his work ethic, toughness, and humble approach to the game.