Jake Bates Bio
Jake Bates is an American professional football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 3, 1999, in Tomball, Texas, he played college soccer for the Central Arkansas Bears and college football for the Texas State Bobcats and Arkansas Razorbacks. Bates holds the record for the longest field goal in United Football League history, measuring 64 yards.
Early Life and Background
Jake Bates was born in Tomball, Texas, and attended Tomball High School, graduating in 2017. During his time in high school, he was a member of the football team but gained more recognition as a standout soccer player. His early exposure to sports laid the foundation for his future career in football.
Path to American Football
After high school, Jake Bates played two seasons of college soccer at Central Arkansas in 2017 and 2018. He then transferred to Texas State University in 2020, where he initially handled kickoffs. Bates later transferred to the University of Arkansas after earning his business degree in 2022, continuing to focus on kickoff duties. His performance earned him a first-team All-SEC selection in 2022, showcasing his skills as a kickoff specialist.
Jake Bates Career
Early Career (2023)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bates signed with the Houston Texans on July 31, 2023. However, he was released during training camp on August 12, 2023. Following his release, he briefly stepped away from pursuing football full-time and took a job as a brick salesman in the Houston area.
Breakthrough (2024)
On December 25, 2023, Bates signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). His signing was significant as the league adopted a kickoff rule requiring the ball to travel 80 yards for a touchback. Bates made headlines on March 30, 2024, when he kicked a game-winning 64-yard field goal against the St. Louis Battlehawks, marking the longest field goal in UFL history and tying for the second-longest recorded field goal in professional football history. This kick was particularly notable as it was the first in-game field goal of Bates’ life, following a missed attempt in high school. He would go on to kick two more field goals of over 60 yards during the 2024 season, solidifying his reputation as a powerful kicker.
Notable Works and Milestones
Bates was named to the 2024 All-UFL team and achieved a remarkable feat when he signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions on June 18, 2024. In his first season with the Lions, he made significant contributions, including a 44-yard game-winning field goal against the Minnesota Vikings and a 58-yard kick against the Houston Texans.
Jake Bates Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Jake Bates has received notable nominations, including being named to the All-UFL team in 2024 and earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2022.
Jake Bates Awards Won
Jake Bates has achieved significant recognition in his career, including being named to the All-UFL team in 2024 and earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2022.
Jake Bates Family
Jake Bates is engaged to Presley Folkerts. Further details about his family background are not publicly available.
Personal Life
Bates is a Christian and has shared his faith publicly. He is currently engaged to Presley Folkerts, marking an important aspect of his personal life.
