Dustin Hopkins Bio
Dustin Cole Hopkins (born October 1, 1990) is an American professional football placekicker known for his accuracy and range. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Over more than a decade in the National Football League, Hopkins has built a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable kickers.
Born in Austin, Texas, Hopkins has suited up for the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins/Football Team, Los Angeles Chargers, and Cleveland Browns. He has converted 241 of 287 career field goal attempts and recorded 489 touchbacks through the 2024 season.
Early Life and Background
Dustin Cole Hopkins was born on October 1, 1990, in Austin, Texas, and later grew up in the Houston area. He attended Space Center Intermediate School before enrolling at Clear Lake High School, where he first gained recognition as a strong kicking prospect. His family environment supported his athletic development, and he gradually built the technical foundation that would carry him to the collegiate level.
While at Clear Lake, Hopkins attracted the attention of several college programs thanks to his powerful and consistent kickoffs. His high school performance laid the groundwork for a recruiting battle that ultimately brought him to one of the country’s most storied football programs.
Path to Professional Football
Hopkins was recruited by Florida State when Seminoles special teams coordinator Jody Allen watched high school game film of his kickoffs. Notre Dame also expressed interest, but Hopkins committed to the Seminoles and joined the program in 2009. As a freshman that year, he converted 19 of 27 field goals, roughly 70 percent.
On November 13, 2010, against Clemson, Hopkins hit a 55-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to lift Florida State to a comeback win. In 2011, he broke Florida State’s record for consecutive point-after-touchdown conversions, a streak that reached 145 before ending on September 8, 2012. On November 18, 2012, Hopkins set the Football Bowl Subdivision career scoring record for a kicker with 442 points during a game against Maryland, finishing the day with 448. He earned First-team All-American honors in 2012 and was a two-time First-team All-ACC selection in 2011 and 2012 before entering the NFL.
Dustin Hopkins Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
The Buffalo Bills selected Hopkins in the sixth round, 177th overall, of the 2013 NFL Draft, reuniting him with former Florida State teammates EJ Manuel and Shawn Powell. He signed a four-year contract on May 10, 2013, and was named starting kicker over veteran Rian Lindell on August 19, 2013. A groin injury sustained in early September limited his rookie season and sent him to injured reserve after Week 5.
Hopkins returned to competition in 2014 but lost the kicking job to Dan Carpenter and was released by Buffalo on August 25, 2014. He joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad on December 17, 2014, and signed a future contract, but was released on September 5, 2015, after losing the position battle to Zach Hocker.
Washington Era (2015–2021)
Hopkins signed with the Washington Redskins on September 14, 2015, after the team released Kai Forbath. On November 15, 2015, he kicked a career-high four field goals against his former Saints team. In 2016, Hopkins set a franchise record with 34 field goals made, although he also missed a potential game-winning kick in overtime against the Cincinnati Bengals in a 27–27 tie.
A partially torn hip muscle in October 2017 sent him to injured reserve, but he returned later that season. On March 12, 2018, Hopkins signed a three-year extension and responded with a career-long 56-yard field goal against the Carolina Panthers. His 2018 totals included 25 of 26 extra points and 26 of 29 field goals. In 2019, he went 25 of 30 on field goals and 21 of 22 on extra points. The 2020 season featured a perfect 3-for-3 day against Pittsburgh, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, and he finished with 30 of 32 extra points and 27 of 34 field goals. In 2021, Hopkins drilled a re-kicked game winner against the New York Giants before Washington released him on October 20, 2021.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2021–2022)
Hopkins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on October 26, 2021, and signed a three-year extension on March 14, 2022. In Week 6 of the 2022 season, he injured his hamstring against Denver but still went 4-for-4 on field goals, including the overtime winner, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He missed the next four games and was placed on injured reserve on November 22, 2022, finishing his time with the Chargers having converted all 12 extra points and nine of 10 field goal attempts in five games.
Cleveland Browns Era (2023–2024)
The Chargers traded Hopkins to the Cleveland Browns on August 28, 2023, after he lost his job to Cameron Dicker, and Hopkins took over for Cade York. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks in October 2023, drilling a career-long 58-yard field goal against Indianapolis. On December 10, 2023, Hopkins set a new Browns single-season record with his 31st made field goal, a 55-yarder against Jacksonville, and set an NFL record with five straight games featuring a 50-plus-yard field goal. A hamstring injury on December 24, 2023, against Houston ended his season. He signed a three-year extension on July 15, 2024, and finished that year 18 of 27 on field goals and 17 of 20 on extra points.
Driving Style and Strengths
Across his career, Hopkins has been recognized for his strong leg, especially on long-range kicks, and his consistency in pressure situations. His track record of overtime and game-winning field goals reflects dependable mechanics and a steady approach at the highest-pressure moments of professional football.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hopkins owns the Football Bowl Subdivision career scoring record for a kicker at 448 points, the Cleveland Browns single-season field goal record with 33 makes in 2023, and an NFL record of five straight games with a 50-yard or longer field goal. He also holds Washington franchise records, including 34 field goals in a single season.
Dustin Hopkins Career Statistics and Wins
Hopkins entered the league in 2013 and has consistently produced for multiple franchises, converting 241 of 287 career field goal attempts through the 2024 season with a long of 58 yards and 489 touchbacks. His track record spans rookie starting duties in Buffalo, a franchise-record-setting stretch in Washington, clutch overtime kicks in Los Angeles, and a record-breaking 2023 campaign in Cleveland.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Hopkins made 34 field goals for Washington in 2016, setting a team record at the time. He went 26 of 29 on field goals in 2018 and followed with 25 of 30 in 2019. In 2020, he converted 27 of 34 field goals and was perfect on all three field goal attempts against Pittsburgh. He made 30 of 34 field goals split between Washington and the Chargers in 2021. In 2023, Hopkins made 33 of 36 field goals for the Browns, including a 58-yard career long. His 2024 totals were 18 of 27 on field goals and 17 of 20 on extra points.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Hopkins delivered one of the most memorable moments in Florida State history with a 55-yard walk-off field goal against Clemson in 2010. He later set the Football Bowl Subdivision career scoring record for kickers during the 2012 season and was a consensus First-team All-American that same year.
Dustin Hopkins Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Dustin Cole Hopkins is married to Gabrielle Hopkins. The couple has two sons, named Wake and Wiley. Hopkins has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, which has been a steady presence throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Outlook
On August 26, 2025, Hopkins was released by the Cleveland Browns as part of final roster cuts, ending his tenure with the team after two seasons that included a 2023 campaign featuring 33 made field goals and a new Browns single-season record. After signing a three-year extension in July 2024, his release opens the door to a new chapter late in his career.
Hopkins is widely respected across the league for his accuracy on field goals and extra points and for his leg strength on kickoffs, having produced 489 touchbacks through the 2024 season. Whether he lands with another franchise or explores off-field opportunities, his track record of clutch kicks and durable production across more than a decade in the NFL remains intact.
At 35, Hopkins joins a free-agent market that increasingly values veteran kickers with proven track records, and his 84 percent career field goal conversion rate should attract interest from teams seeking reliable late-game accuracy in 2025 and beyond.