Jack Podlesny

Jack Podlesny
Personal information
Born: (2000-03-16) March 16, 2000 (age 24)
St. Simons Island, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Glynn Academy
(Brunswick, Georgia)
College:Georgia (2018–2022)
Position:Placekicker
Undrafted:2023
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jack Morgan Podlesny (born March 16, 2000) is an American football placekicker. He played college football at Georgia. Nicknamed "Hot Pod",[1] he was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022.[2]

Early life

Podlesny attended Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Georgia. In his senior year, Podlesny converted on nine of his ten field goal tries, while making 49 of his 51 point-after-tries.[3][4] Despite offers from schools such as Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and Michigan, Podlesny walked on at the University of Georgia.[5]

College career

In 2018, Podlesny redshirted, and the following year, he was the backup to Rodrigo Blankenship. In 2020, Podlesny became Georgia's starting kicker. During the season, Podlesny made 13 field goals out of 16 attempts, while making all of his 38 point-after-tries.[6][7] As a result, Podlesny was named a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award.[8] During the 2021 Peach Bowl, Podlesny hit a career-long 53-yard go-ahead field goal with 0:03 seconds remaining.[9] The kick was the longest field goal in Peach Bowl history and Podlesny was named the game's MVP for his efforts.[10][11][12] After the game, Podlesny was awarded a scholarship.[13] In 2021, Podlesny went 22 of 27 on field goal attempts.[14] During the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, Podlesny recorded two field goals including a season-high 49-yard field goal in a 33–18 victory.[15] During Podlesny's redshirt senior season, he converted 23 out of 26 field goals, being named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and the All-SEC First-Team.[2][16]

After Georgia won the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, Podlesny played in the 2023 Hula Bowl.[17]

College statistics

Season Kicking
GP XPM XPA XP% FGM FGA FG% Pts
Georgia Bulldogs
2020 10 38 38 100.0 13 16 81.3 77
2021 15 71 72 98.6 21 26 80.8 134
2022 15 73 74 98.6 26 31 83.9 151
Career 40 182 184 98.9 60 73 82.2 362

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 0+3⁄8 in
(1.84 m) 		194 lb
(88 kg) 		29+5⁄8 in
(0.75 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine[18][19]

Minnesota Vikings

Podlesny signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023.[20] On August 17, 2023, Podlesny was waived by the Vikings.[21][22]

Green Bay Packers

On January 24, 2024, Podlesny signed with the Green Bay Packers.[23] On June 19, 2024, Podlesny was released by the Packers.[24]

Personal life

Podlesny is a Christian. He has said, “At the end of the day, I’m playing to glorify Him and Him only.” He has also said, “No matter a make or miss I can still be an example of Christ in how I live my life and respond.”[25]

References

  1. ^ "'Hot Pod' fulfills a lifelong dream – Bulldawg Illustrated". bulldawgillustrated.com. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Podlesny, Smart Earn SEC Individual Honors". University of Georgia Athletics. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  3. ^ Price, Kevin (April 19, 2018). "Glynn's Podlesny ready to kick it with Kirby and the Georgia Bulldogs". AllOnGeorgia. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  4. ^ Towers, Chip (October 10, 2020). "Georgia walk-on kicker Jack Podlesny making a name for himself". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  5. ^ Dasher, Anthony (August 26, 2021). "Jack Podlesny kicks his way from walk-on to scholarship player". Rivals.com (in Kinyarwanda). Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  6. ^ Davis, Derrick (December 30, 2021). "Former Glynn Academy standout Jack Podlesny carving out legacy at Georgia". The Brunswick News. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  7. ^ "After breakout 2020 year, Jack Podlesny looks to carry the momentum – Bulldawg Illustrated". bulldawgillustrated.com. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  8. ^ Communications, UGA Sports (December 7, 2020). "Georgia football adds three more semifinalists for national awards". SicEmDawgs.com. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  9. ^ Odum, Charles (January 1, 2021). "Podlesny's FG lifts Georgia past Cincinnati in Peach Bowl". AP NEWS. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  10. ^ "Record Book". Peach Bowl. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  11. ^ Towers, Chip (January 1, 2021). "2021 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Georgia 24, Cincinnati 21". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  12. ^ May, Jed (January 1, 2021). "How Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny became the Bulldogs' Peach Bowl hero". Macon Telegraph. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  13. ^ Hunte, Sydney (August 26, 2021). "Walk-on no more: Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny reveals he's been placed on scholarship". Saturday Down South. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  14. ^ Paschall, David (November 22, 2022). "Kicker Podlesny keeps delivering, whether Bulldogs are happy about it or not". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  15. ^ Towers, Chip (November 3, 2022). "Georgia's Jack Podlesny aims to be ready if it comes down to kicks". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  16. ^ "2022 All-SEC Football Teams Announced". SEC Sports. December 20, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  17. ^ Gamarra, Max (January 14, 2023). "Team Kai beats Team Aina 16–13 in 2023 Hula Bowl". nicholsonstudentmedia.com. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  18. ^ "Jack Podlesny Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  19. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Jack Podlesny College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  20. ^ "Vikings Agree to Terms with 15 Undrafted Free Agents". Vikings.com. April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  21. ^ Peters, Craig (August 17, 2023). "Vikings Sign Rookie RB Aaron Dykes". Vikings.com. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  22. ^ Mizutani, Dane (August 17, 2023). "Greg Joseph wins Vikings' kicking competition as team waives rookie Jack Podlesny". Twin Cities. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  23. ^ "Packers sign K Jack Podlesny". Packers.com. January 24, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  24. ^ "Packers Release K Jack Podlesny". Packers.com. June 19, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  25. ^ Kruse, Ethan (August 30, 2022). "Jack Podlesny – Make or Miss". His Huddle. Retrieved January 10, 2023.