Bykowski attended Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, where he was coached by Mike Grant, son of former Minnesota Vikings head coach Bud Grant.

As a senior, he caught 11 passes for 194 yards and nine touchdowns, helping Eden Prairie win back-to-back Minnesota 5A championships and set Minnesota state championship game records for total yards gained (520), first downs (30), and rushing first downs (22).

Bykowski was the 10th-rated prospect in the state of Minnesota according to Rivals.com, while Scout.com rated him as the 69th tight end nationally.

Signing with Iowa State University in 2008, Bykowski played in three games as a true freshman tight end.

[1] Bykowski was selected in the seventh round, (246th overall), by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2013 NFL draft.