Cade York Bio
Cade F. York (born January 27, 2001) is an American professional football placekicker currently in the National Football League. He rose to national attention as a freshman kicker for the LSU Tigers, helping the program win the 2019 College Football Playoff national championship before entering the professional ranks with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. Over the course of his early NFL career, York has moved between several franchises while continuing to demonstrate the strong leg that made him one of the top kicking prospects out of high school.
Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and listed at 206 lb (93 kg), York has remained a consistent presence on special teams units around the league. As of 2026, he plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League, continuing a career defined by powerful leg strength and a journeyman path through multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Cade F. York was born on January 27, 2001, in McKinney, Texas, in the United States. He grew up in the rapidly expanding North Texas corridor and attended Prosper High School in the nearby town of Prosper, Texas. At Prosper, York lettered in both soccer and football, but it was on the gridiron where his right leg began attracting serious attention from college recruiters.
York quickly developed into one of the top kicking prospects in the nation. He set an Under Armour All-America Game record for longest field goal, hitting a 59-yard kick that bested his previous career long of 47 yards from his high school days. His combination of accuracy and uncommon distance drew scholarship offers from across the country, and he ultimately committed to playing college football at Louisiana State University.
Path to American Football
York’s decision to focus on football over soccer marked a defining step toward his future as a specialist. His reputation as a high school kicker was built on booming kickoffs and a mature approach to pressure situations, traits that college coaches prize in young kickers. By the time he signed with LSU, he was already viewed as one of the most accurate long-distance kickers in his recruiting class.
At LSU, York transitioned quickly from a highly regarded recruit into an immediate contributor. He was named the Tigers’ starting kicker before the 2019 season, skipping a typical redshirt year. That early trust from the LSU coaching staff allowed him to gain meaningful experience as a true freshman while the program chased a national title.
Cade York Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
York’s first season at LSU came with growing pains but ended with championship hardware. He missed an extra point against Northwestern State and had early field goal misses against Utah State and Florida, yet he rebounded to make the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team and earn second-team All-SEC honors as the Tigers captured the 2020 College Football Playoff national championship. The postseason recognition validated LSU’s decision to hand him the starting job as a freshman.
As a sophomore, York elevated his production. He finished the year perfect on extra points, going 36-for-36, and connected on 85.7 percent of his field goal attempts at 18-for-21. He was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the top placekicker in college football. In a memorable December 12 game against Florida, York drilled a career-long 57-yard field goal with 27 seconds remaining to give LSU a 37–34 upset of the then-No. 6 ranked Gators. He wrapped the year as a first-team All-SEC selection by the coaches, a second-team All-SEC pick by the Associated Press, and a second-team All-American by both the AP and the Football Writers Association of America.
LSU Breakthrough (2019–2021)
York’s three-year run at LSU established him as one of the most accomplished kickers in program history. Beyond the 2019 national title, he earned second-team All-SEC recognition in both 2019 and 2021, paired with his first-team All-SEC selection in 2020. His booming kicks and composure in high-leverage spots translated consistently from a developmental freshman into one of the conference’s most reliable specialists.
Cleveland Browns Era (2022)
York was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 124th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. He opened his professional career with a flourish, going 4-for-4 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points against the Carolina Panthers, including a game-winning 58-yard kick in a 26–24 victory. That debut performance earned him American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors and immediately justified Cleveland’s draft investment. He finished his rookie season converting 35 of 37 extra-point attempts and 24 of 32 field goal attempts.
Journeyman Years (2023–2024)
York struggled during the 2023 preseason, and after Cleveland acquired Dustin Hopkins from the Los Angeles Chargers via trade, the Browns waived him on August 29, 2023. He was quickly signed to the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans on August 31, then moved to the New York Giants off Tennessee’s practice squad on November 3, 2023. The Giants waived him on November 22, re-signed him to the practice squad two days later, and placed him on injured reserve on December 23 due to a quad injury suffered in practice. He became a free agent at season’s end.
In 2024, York signed a contract to return to the Cleveland Browns on March 23 before being traded to the Washington Commanders on August 22 for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He was released by Washington on September 9 after missing two field goals in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On December 4, 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals signed York to their practice squad following an injury to starting kicker Evan McPherson, and they promoted him to the active roster on December 17. In a Week 16 win over his former Browns, York kicked a career-long 59-yard field goal that tied the Bengals’ franchise record. He missed a potential game-winning kick in overtime against the Denver Broncos in Week 17, but Cincinnati won 30–24 after a late defensive stop and touchdown.
New Orleans Saints and New York Jets (2025–Present)
On November 25, 2025, the New Orleans Saints signed York following the release of Blake Grupe. He remained with the team until December 18, when Charlie Smyth surpassed him on the depth chart and he was released. On March 13, 2026, York signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets, replacing Nick Folk and taking over the kicking role for the franchise.
Notable Events and Milestones
York’s most memorable professional moment came in his very first NFL game, when his 58-yard field goal as time expired beat the Carolina Panthers. He matched that peak distance in 2024 with a 59-yard kick against the Cleveland Browns while with the Cincinnati Bengals, tying the Bengals’ franchise record for the longest field goal. Across his career, York has connected on 33 of 45 field goal attempts for a 73.3 percent conversion rate, with a long of 59 yards and 71 touchbacks through 2024.
Cade York Career Wins
Cade York’s career as an NFL placekicker has not centered on individual accolades, but rather on clutch field goals, signature long-distance makes, and durability across multiple franchises. His professional wins have come as part of team victories rather than personal scoring titles.
NFL Highlights
York’s first NFL win came in dramatic fashion against the Carolina Panthers in 2022, sealed by his 58-yard walk-off field goal. His Week 16 performance with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, including a 59-yard make against the Cleveland Browns, served as another signature moment and a personal best. The 59-yard make tied the Bengals’ franchise record for longest field goal, underlining York’s value as a deep-range specialist.
Cade York Family
Personal Life
Cade York keeps much of his personal life private, and few public details about his family or relationships have been confirmed through reliable sources. He is widely known by his full name, Cade F. York, and maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account under his name. Beyond his career in football, York has remained focused on rebuilding his professional trajectory across multiple NFL organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Cade York’s 2025 campaign began in free agency after he finished the 2024 season with the Cincinnati Bengals. With the New Orleans Saints signing him on November 25, 2025, York took over the kicking role following the release of Blake Grupe. His time in New Orleans was short, as Charlie Smyth surpassed him on the depth chart and he was released on December 18, 2025.
Despite the brief stint with the Saints, York’s 2025 season demonstrated continued demand for his services around the league. His strong leg and experience as a clutch performer made him an attractive option for teams dealing with kicker turnover. The quick turnover in New Orleans opened the door for his next opportunity, which arrived in March 2026 with the New York Jets.
Looking ahead, York’s one-year deal with the Jets positions him as the team’s primary placekicker for the 2026 season. He will be tasked with replacing veteran Nick Folk and providing consistent accuracy and touchbacks for a Jets special teams unit looking for stability. With several regular-season stints behind him, York’s 2026 outlook centers on seizing a multi-year role and reestablishing himself as a long-term NFL starter.