Evan McPherson

Evan McPherson
refer to caption
McPherson with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021
No. 2 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1999-07-21) July 21, 1999 (age 25)
Fort Payne, Alabama, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Fort Payne (Fort Payne, Alabama)
College:Florida (2018–2020)
NFL draft:2021 / round: 5 / pick: 149
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
NFL record
Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2024
Field goals made:89
Field goals attempted:108
Field goal %:82.4
Longest field goal:59
Touchbacks:202
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Evan McPherson mick-FEAR-suhn;[1] (born July 21, 1999) is an American professional football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators before being drafted by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft, the only kicker to be selected that year.[2][3][4]

During the Bengals' 2021 playoff run, McPherson tied Adam Vinatieri for most field goals made in a single postseason, with 14, and set the record for most postseason field goals made without any misses.[5] Due to his clutch kicking, McPherson is nicknamed "Shooter"[6] (after the Happy Gilmore character of a similar nickname) and "Money Mac."[7]

He owns the Bengals franchise record longest field goal with a 59-yard field goal he made in 2022.

Early life

McPherson started his football career at Fort Payne High School in Fort Payne, Alabama, where he spent four seasons as the team's kicker and punter. At Fort Payne, he made a 60-yard field goal and an 84-yard punt, both kicks being one yard short of the Alabama high school record. He also made the first-team All-State in 2017.[8]

College career

McPherson went on to play college football for the Florida Gators from 2018–2020 before choosing to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.[9][4] At Florida, McPherson was 51-of-60 (85.0%) on field goals, setting a Southeastern Conference record for career field goal percentage (minimum 50 attempts),[10] and 149-of-150 on extra points. He made 5 of 8 career field goal attempts from at least 50 yards.[8] In his three seasons with the Gators, the team recorded a 29–9 record and a 2–1 record in bowl games, including an Orange Bowl win in 2019.[11] McPherson made all three of his field goal attempts in that game, the longest from 49 yards.

At the time he left Florida, his career field goal percentage ranked 12th in NCAA history.[12]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m) 		185 lb
(84 kg) 		29 in
(0.74 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)
All values from Pro Day[13][14]

2021

See also: 2021 Cincinnati Bengals season

McPherson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round, 149th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.[15] He signed his four-year rookie contract with the Bengals on May 17, 2021.[16]

McPherson was a perfect 5/5 on field goals during the Bengals' three 2021 preseason games, including a 57-yard kick. At the end of the pre-season, the Bengals released their only other kicker on the roster, Austin Seibert, and named McPherson the starter for the 2021 regular season.[17] McPherson became the first player from Fort Payne High School ever to play in an NFL regular season game.[18]

McPherson made his first regular-season field goal attempt, a 53-yarder, in the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings on September 12, 2021. During overtime, McPherson kicked a 33-yard game-winning field goal to secure a 27–24 win, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[19][20] On November 21, McPherson tied an NFL record by making three field goals from over 50 yards in one game, going 4/4 on kicks from 54, 53, 51, and 47 yards in a 32–13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, securing his second AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award in the process.[21][22] He also set the franchise record for most 50-yard field goals made in a season, breaking the old record of 4 set by Horst Muhlmann in 1970. On December 19, McPherson set the franchise record for longest field goal for the Bengals with a 58-yard kick against the Denver Broncos.[23]

McPherson finished the season 28-of-33 on field goal attempts (84.8%), including being 9-of-11 on field goals (81.8%) from 50+ yards. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[24] In the Bengals' Wild Card game against the Raiders, McPherson was 4-of-4 on field goals, assisting the team to a 26–19 victory that gave them their first postseason win in 31 years. Subsequently, in the Divisional Round game, he again made 4-of-4 field goals, including two from over 50 yards. His 52-yard field goal as time expired gave the Bengals a 19–16 win over the Tennessee Titans to send them to their first AFC Championship Game since 1988. McPherson also became the first kicker in NFL history to kick at least 4 field goals in multiple games during the same postseason.[25] In the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, McPherson was again 4-of-4 on his field goal attempts, including a game winning 31-yard field goal in overtime in the 27–24 win, advancing the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, where he kicked two more field goals in the 23–20 loss.[26][27] McPherson's 14-of-14 playoff field goals set the record for most field goals made by a rookie, as well as ties the all-time record for most field goals made in a single postseason.[28] His 12 combined 50+ yard field goals in the regular season and playoffs also set the NFL record for most combined regular season and postseason 50+ yard field goals made by one player in a single season.[28]

2022

See also: 2022 Cincinnati Bengals season

In the Bengals season opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, McPherson set a franchise record for longest field goal with 59 yards.[29] However, after an injury to long snapper Clark Harris, McPherson had a potential game-winning extra point blocked and missed a 29-yard field goal in overtime, leading to a 23–20 loss.[30] In Week 4, McPherson converted both field goal attempts and all three extra points in a 27–15 win over the Miami Dolphins, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[31] In week 6, McPherson kicked a 52-yard field goal in the Bengals 30–26 win over the New Orleans Saints.[32] McPherson finished the season making 82.8% of his field goals, with a perfect 5/5 on field goals from 50+ yards. However, he missed four extra points during the season, as well as one in the playoffs.[33] Still, he remained perfect on postseason field goals, making all his attempts in the Bengals three playoff games to push his record up to 19/19.[34]

2023

See also: 2023 Cincinnati Bengals season

In the 2023 season, McPherson converted all 40 extra point attempts and 26 of 31 field goal attempts.[35]

2024

See also: 2024 Cincinnati Bengals season

On August 16, 2024, McPherson signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension with the Bengals.[36] In McPherson's Week 1 appearance, he successfully kicked a 51 yard field goal as the Bengals lost to the New England Patriots.[37] McPherson began to struggle throughout the season with missed kicks. He was one for two on extra point attempts during the Bengals' 26-25 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He had another costly miss when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Bengals 41-38 in overtime. McPherson's field goal would have avoided overtime and given the Bengals the lead.[38] During Week 11 on Sunday Night Football against the Chargers, McPherson missed two field goal attempts, one for 48 yards and the other for 51 as the Bengals would lose 27-34.[39]

NFL career statistics

Legend
NFL record

Regular season

General Field goals PATs Kickoffs Points
Season Team GP FGM FGA FG% Blck Long XPM XPA XP% KO Avg TBs Pts
2021 CIN 16 28 33 84.8% 0 58 46 48 95.8% 91 63.9 55 130
2022 CIN 16 24 29 82.8% 0 59 40 44 90.9% 90 62.3 51 112
2023 CIN 17 26 31 83.9% 0 56 40 40 100% 82 63.0 63 118
Career 49 78 93 83.9% 0 59 126 132 95.5% 263 63.0 169 360

Postseason

General Field goals PATs Kickoffs Points
Season Team GP FGM FGA FG% Blck Long XPM XPA XP% KO Avg TBs Pts
2021 CIN 4 14 14 100.0% 0 54 6 6 100.0% 24 64.5 16 48
2022 CIN 3 5 5 100.0% 0 39 6 7 85.7% 15 64.3 5 21
Career 7 19 19 100.0% 0 54 12 13 92.3% 39 64.4 21 69

Personal life

McPherson is a Christian.[40] McPherson is married to Gracie Groat.[41]

McPherson's older brother Logan was also an all-state kicker for Fort Payne High School and went on to play as a punter for Louisiana Tech University.[42] His younger brother Alex made an All-State as a kicker with Fort Payne in 2019, and as a punter in 2020.[43] In 2021, Alex announced his commitment to attend Auburn University.[44] Alex was the highest-ranked kicker in the 2022 class.[45]

References

  1. ^ "Evan McPherson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Patra, Kevin (May 1, 2021). "Bengals take 2021 draft's lone kicker with fifth-round pick of Evan McPherson". NFL.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  3. ^ Goldsmith, Charlie (May 1, 2021). "Florida's Evan McPherson is first kicker taken in 2021 NFL draft, going to Bengals in fifth round". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Goodall, Zach (March 13, 2021). "Former Gators Kicker Evan McPherson Drawing Plenty of NFL Interest". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  5. ^ Owens, Jason (February 13, 2022). "Super Bowl: Evan McPherson dances to Dr. Dre before calmly tying Adam Vinatieri FG record". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  6. ^ DeLetter, Emily (January 25, 2022). "How did Evan McPherson get his 'Shooter McPherson' nickname? Thank Clark Harris and 'Happy Gilmore' for that". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  7. ^ Rice, Jake (January 23, 2022). "Playoff Quote Board: Money Mac; D Was The Key; The Right Mentality". Bengals.com. Cincinnati Bengals. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Evan McPherson - Football". Florida Gators. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Thompson, Edgar (January 5, 2021). "UF kicker Evan McPherson leaves Gators, declares for NFL draft". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Minich, Matt (May 1, 2021). "Analyzing the Bengals' selection of Evan McPherson in Round 5". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "Florida Gators College Football History, Stats, Records". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  12. ^ "Field Goal Percentage Career Leaders and Records". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  13. ^ "Evan McPherson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  14. ^ "Evan McPherson, Florida, K, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  15. ^ LaPlaca, Michael (May 1, 2021). "In Round 5, Bengals Shore Up Kicking Game With Evan McPherson". Bengals.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  16. ^ Ortenberg, Andrew (May 17, 2021). "NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/17/21". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  17. ^ "Evan McPherson Wins starting job in Cincinnati - Fantasy Football News". Fantasy Footballers Podcast. August 31, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  18. ^ Goldsmith, Charlie (September 18, 2021). "Bengals Xtra: What kicker Evan McPherson means to Fort Payne, Alabama". The Enquirer. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  19. ^ Cincinnati Bengals [@Bengals] (September 12, 2021). "Evan McPherson's first career field goal attempt is good from 53" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Gordon, Grant (September 15, 2021). "Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Rams QB Matthew Stafford lead Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  21. ^ Beighle, Nathan (November 22, 2021). "Bengals kicker Evan McPherson makes history vs. Raiders". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  22. ^ "NFL Players of the Week". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  23. ^ Clark, Dave (November 21, 2021). "Evan McPherson breaks Bengals' franchise record for field goals of 50+ in one season". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  24. ^ "2021 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  25. ^ Patra, Kevin (January 22, 2022). "2021 NFL playoffs: What we learned from Bengals' win over Titans in Divisional Round". NFL.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  26. ^ Zucker, Joseph (January 30, 2022). "Joe Burrow, Bengals Stun Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs in OT, Advance to 2022 Super Bowl". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  27. ^ "Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Kerr, Jeff (January 30, 2022). "Evan McPherson sends Bengals to Super Bowl: Rookie has most FGs in single playoffs without miss in NFL history". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  29. ^ Rapien, James (September 11, 2022). "Watch: Evan McPherson Sets Bengals Record, Makes 59-Yard Field Goal Against Steelers". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  30. ^ Jacobs, Melissa (September 12, 2022). "The Bengals' wild loss showed why long snappers, the NFL's invisible men, matter". TheGuardian.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  31. ^ Gordon, Grant (October 5, 2022). "Seahawks QB Geno Smith, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  32. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints - October 16th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  33. ^ "Evan McPherson 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  34. ^ "Evan McPherson Playoffs Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  35. ^ "Evan McPherson 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  36. ^ Patra, Kevin (August 16, 2024). "Bengals, kicker Evan McPherson agree to 3-year, $16.5M extension". NFL.com.
  37. ^ "Patriots 16-10 Bengals (Sep 8, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  38. ^ "Ravens 41-38 Bengals (Oct 6, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  39. ^ Clark, Dave (November 18, 2024). "Bengals' Evan McPherson misses 4th-quarter field goals vs Chargers". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  40. ^ Claybourn, Cole (January 23, 2022). "Bengals kicker Evan McPherson sports 'God is good' shirt after game-winning kick over Titans". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  41. ^ "evan_mcpherson04". Instagram. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  42. ^ Kassim, Ehsan (February 11, 2022). "Evan McPherson was clutch long before kicking Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl. Alabama town is proud of its hero". The Gadsden Times. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  43. ^ Inabinett, Mark (May 17, 2021). "Fort Payne's Evan McPherson wants to be 1 of the 32". AL.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  44. ^ "Top Ranked Kicker Alex McPherson Commits to Auburn!". College and Magnolia. July 6, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  45. ^ "2022 Top Kicker Recruits". 247Sports. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
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