Evan McPherson

Evan McPherson Bio

Evan McPherson is an American professional football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 21, 1999, in Fort Payne, Alabama, he played college football for the Florida Gators before being drafted by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. McPherson quickly gained recognition for his clutch kicking during the Bengals’ 2021 playoff run, tying the record for most field goals made in a single postseason and setting the mark for most postseason field goals without a miss. Known for his powerful leg and composure under pressure, he carries the nicknames “Shooter” and “Money Mac” throughout the league.

Early Life and Background

Evan McPherson was raised in Fort Payne, Alabama, where he attended Fort Payne High School and spent four seasons handling kicking and punting duties for the football team. During his high school career, he connected on a 60-yard field goal and produced an 84-yard punt, both attempts falling one yard short of the Alabama high school record. His strong senior season earned him first-team All-State honors in 2017, establishing him as one of the top kicking prospects in the region.

McPherson grew up in a family with a deep connection to the kicking game. His older brother Logan was an all-state kicker at Fort Payne High School and later played as a punter at Louisiana Tech University, while his younger brother Alex earned All-State recognition as a kicker in 2019 and as a punter in 2020 before committing to Auburn University. This family background helped shape McPherson’s early approach to the position and his understanding of the technical demands of kicking.

Path to American Football

McPherson’s path to professional football continued at the University of Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators from 2018 to 2020. He converted 51 of 60 field goal attempts for an 85.0 percent success rate, setting a Southeastern Conference record for career field goal percentage among kickers with at least 50 attempts, and he was 149 of 150 on extra points. He also proved his range by making 5 of 8 career field goal attempts from at least 50 yards.

During his three seasons with the Gators, the program posted a 29-9 overall record and a 2-1 mark in bowl games, including an Orange Bowl victory in 2019 in which McPherson made all three of his field goal attempts, the longest from 49 yards. When he chose to forgo his senior season and enter the 2021 NFL draft, his career field goal percentage ranked 12th in NCAA history. He was the only kicker selected in that year’s draft when the Cincinnati Bengals chose him in the fifth round, 149th overall.

Evan McPherson Career

Early Career (2018-2020)

McPherson’s early career at Florida provided a steady launchpad for his professional trajectory. He handled field goals, extra points, and kickoff duties for a competitive SEC program and demonstrated rare accuracy from long distance, which became a hallmark of his game. His consistency helped the Gators win an Orange Bowl in 2019 and set the stage for his decision to turn professional after three strong college seasons.

By the time he declared for the draft, McPherson had cemented himself as one of the most accurate kickers in SEC history. His combination of accuracy, range, and big-game experience convinced the Cincinnati Bengals to make him a fifth-round pick in 2021, and he signed his four-year rookie contract on May 17, 2021.

Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2021-Present)

McPherson made an immediate impact as a rookie in 2021, going a perfect 5-for-5 on field goals during the preseason, including a 57-yard kick, and winning the starting job. He opened the regular season with a 53-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings and added a 33-yard game-winner in overtime to secure a 27-24 victory, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. On November 21, 2021, he tied an NFL record by making three field goals from over 50 yards in a single game during a 32-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, setting a Bengals franchise record for most 50-yard field goals in a season, and on December 19 he set the franchise record for longest field goal with a 58-yard kick against the Denver Broncos.

McPherson’s postseason play in 2021 defined his early reputation. He was 4-of-4 on field goals in the Wild Card win over the Raiders, then again 4-of-4 in the Divisional Round, including a 52-yard kick as time expired to beat the Tennessee Titans 19-16 and send Cincinnati to its first AFC Championship Game since 1988. In the AFC Championship, he drilled a 31-yard field goal in overtime to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24, and he added two more field goals in Super Bowl LVI. His 14-of-14 playoff performance tied the all-time record for most field goals in a single postseason and set the rookie record. He finished 2021 at 28-of-33 on field goal attempts (84.8 percent) and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In 2022, McPherson opened the year by setting a new franchise record with a 59-yard field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He converted both field goal attempts and all three extra points in a Week 3 win over the Miami Dolphins to earn another AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award, and he finished the regular season at 82.8 percent on field goals with a perfect 5-for-5 mark from 50 yards and beyond. He stayed perfect on postseason field goals, making all his attempts across Cincinnati’s three playoff games to push his career playoff streak to 19-for-19.

The 2023 season saw McPherson convert all 40 extra point attempts and 26 of 31 field goal attempts, continuing his reliable production. On August 16, 2024, he signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension with the Bengals. He experienced some struggles during the 2024 season, missing key kicks in narrow losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, and finished 16-of-22 on field goals and 37-of-38 on extra points. He rebounded in 2025, kicking a 63-yard field goal on November 23 against the New England Patriots to set a new Bengals franchise record for longest field goal, and he followed that with a perfect performance in a 32-14 road win over the Baltimore Ravens, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He finished the 2025 season at 25-of-28 on field goals and 41-of-44 on extra points.

Driving Style and Strengths

McPherson is recognized for his exceptional leg strength and accuracy from long range, having set multiple Bengals franchise records for longest field goals during the regular season and postseason. His ability to remain calm in high-pressure moments, particularly in overtime and playoff settings, has become a defining trait. He has also shown consistency on extra points and kickoffs, complementing his accuracy on field goal attempts of all distances.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among McPherson’s signature moments are his 14-of-14 postseason field goal run as a rookie in 2021, his overtime game-winners against the Titans and the Chiefs, and his 63-yard franchise-record field goal in 2025. He has earned multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2021, while also becoming the first player from Fort Payne High School to appear in an NFL regular-season game.

Evan McPherson Career Wins

McPherson has been a key contributor to several memorable Bengals victories, most notably his game-winning kicks in overtime against the Tennessee Titans in the 2021 Divisional Round and against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 AFC Championship Game. His accuracy from long range has repeatedly provided Cincinnati with crucial points in tight contests throughout his career.

Cincinnati Bengals Highlights

As a rookie in 2021, McPherson set a Bengals franchise record for most 50-yard field goals in a season and set the franchise mark for longest field goal with a 58-yarder. He later extended that franchise record with a 59-yard kick in 2022 and a 63-yard kick in 2025. Through the 2025 season, his career NFL totals include 119 field goals made out of 143 attempted, an 83.2 percent success rate, a 63-yard long, and 234 touchbacks on kickoffs.

Other Wins and Performances

McPherson earned first-team All-State honors as a senior at Fort Payne High School in 2017 and was a key performer on Florida Gators teams that posted a 29-9 record over three seasons. His standout play in the 2019 Orange Bowl, where he made all three of his field goal attempts, highlighted his ability to perform on the biggest stages before he reached the NFL.

Evan McPherson Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

McPherson comes from a family with a deep kicking pedigree. His older brother Logan was an all-state kicker at Fort Payne High School and went on to punt at Louisiana Tech University, while his younger brother Alex earned All-State recognition as a kicker in 2019 and as a punter in 2020 before committing to Auburn University. Alex was rated the top kicker in his recruiting class, continuing the family’s strong tradition in the kicking game.

Personal Life

McPherson is a Christian. He is married to Gracie Groat, and the couple has two children. He has continued to make his home in the Cincinnati area while playing for the Bengals.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season was a strong rebound year for McPherson after an inconsistent 2024 campaign. He set a new Bengals franchise record for longest field goal with a 63-yarder against the New England Patriots in Week 11, and he followed that performance by converting all six field goal attempts and two extra points in a 32-14 road victory over the Baltimore Ravens, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He finished the season 25-of-28 on field goal attempts and 41-of-44 on extra points, restoring his reputation as one of the most reliable long-range kickers in the league.

McPherson’s late-season surge was a major boost for Cincinnati’s special teams unit, and his accuracy from long range once again provided the Bengals with a key scoring weapon. With his contract extension running through 2027, he remains a central part of the team’s plans heading into the next campaign.