UFL Kicker Jake Bates Keeps Drilling Bombs, Likely Headed For NFL

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One of the great aspects to spring football leagues is seeing players dominate and earn their spot on an NFL team. This year, in the UFL, there is a player for the Michigan Panthers who is turning heads. His name is Jake Bates and he is … a kicker. 

As any football fan knows, kicker is one of those positions where the player doesn't usually get a ton of press, but having a consistent kicker is a true weapon. Having a kicker who can consistently drill bombs is a massive advantage over almost any opponent. 

With that in mind, check out what Bates is doing during the UFL season. On Sunday, Bates hit a 60-yard field goal at the end of the first half. 

Not only did he make the kick, but he split the uprights and the ball landed about halfway up the net. The kick probably would have been good from 70 yards. Maybe more. 

OK, so the kid hits one 60-yard field goal. That's nice, but doing it consistently is a challenge. Oh, is it? Apparently, not for Bates. This was his THIRD made field goal of at least 60 yards in his team's six games. 

OK, he's got a big leg. But does he have the CLUTCH gene!? He sure does. In the first game of the season, Bates hit a 64-yard field goal in the final second to beat the St. Louis Battlehawks. 

Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates (38) celebrates with teammates after kicking the game winning field goal with three seconds on the clock against the St. Louis Battlehawks during the second half at Ford Field.

Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates celebrates with teammates after kicking the game winning field goal with three seconds on the clock against the St. Louis Battlehawks.

(David Reginek/USA TODAY Sports)

As OutKick's Amber Harding reported at the time of that game-winner, Bates hadn't kicked a field goal in an organized football game since HIGH SCHOOL. 

"The 25-year-old was first a soccer player at Central Arkansas for two seasons before transferring to Texas State. He joined the Bobcats' football team as a kickoff specialist before moving on again to Arkansas two years later. He was First-Team All-SEC in 2022 as a kickoff specialist for the Razorbacks. Lots of kicking, but no field goal attempts," Harding wrote. 

He was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Houston Texans last season, but failed to make the roster. So, he headed to the UFL. Bates is 5 for 7 on field goal attempts and all five of his makes have come from at least 52 yards out. 

Safe to say, he's going to get another NFL tryout this offseason.

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.