Jake Moody Bio
Jake Moody is an American professional football placekicker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, twice earning All-American honors and winning the Lou Groza Award in 2021. Moody was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, making him only the second kicker since 2016 to be drafted in the top 100 selections. Moody has also played for the Chicago Bears.
A consensus All-American in 2021 and a Second-team All-American in 2022, Moody is regarded as one of the most decorated kickers in recent Michigan history. He owns the Wolverines’ career scoring record and ranks among the program’s all-time leaders in field goals made. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 210 pounds, he has built a reputation for powerful leg strength and late-game composure.
Early Life and Background
Jake Moody was born on November 23, 1999, in Commerce, Michigan, United States. He grew up in the Detroit metropolitan area and attended Northville High School in Northville, Michigan, where he played both football and baseball. His development as a multi-sport athlete during his teenage years helped him build the leg strength and athletic coordination that would later define his professional kicking career.
During his time at Northville, Moody emerged as a reliable kicker, drawing attention from several college programs. His consistent performance and powerful leg made him one of the most sought-after kicking prospects in the region. In February 2018, he committed to the University of Michigan, initially joining the Wolverines without a scholarship before being placed on scholarship a few months later in June 2018.
Path to American Football
Upon arriving at Michigan, Moody immediately impressed the coaching staff with his accuracy and range. As a true freshman in 2018, he set a Wolverines single-game record by converting six field goals in a 31–20 victory over Indiana. The performance announced his arrival as a special talent and gave him an early role in the team’s kicking game.
Over the next several seasons, Moody refined his technique and grew into one of the most dependable kickers in college football. In April 2020, he set a personal record in practice with a 69-yard field goal, demonstrating the rare leg strength that scouts would later highlight. By his senior year, he had become a team leader and a central figure in Michigan’s special teams unit, setting the stage for a standout 2021 campaign.
Jake Moody Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
During his first three seasons at Michigan, Moody served primarily in a developing role, gradually earning more responsibility as a field goal and extra point specialist. He used the 2020 season, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to sharpen his mechanics and add distance to his kicks. His practice heroics and consistent accuracy built a foundation for his breakthrough the following year.
By the end of his junior season, Moody had established himself as one of the top kicking prospects in the country. Coaches entrusted him with high-pressure attempts, and he responded with consistent production. His growth during these formative years prepared him to handle the spotlight of a championship-contending program.
Michigan Wolverines Breakthrough (2021–2022)
As a senior in 2021, Moody delivered one of the best seasons by any kicker in Wolverines history. He successfully converted 22 of 24 field goal attempts and 56 of 56 extra-point kicks, demonstrating elite accuracy under pressure. He also kicked a game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter against Nebraska on October 9, sealing an important conference victory.
Moody’s 122 points led the 2021 Michigan Wolverines football team in scoring, and he was named the 2021 Bakken–Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year and the Lou Groza Award winner as the nation’s top kicker. He also earned Consensus All-American honors, cementing his status as a premier special teams talent.
Returning for a fifth season in 2022, Moody took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted due to the 2020 COVID-19 impact. He went 5-for-5 on field goals, including a career-long 54-yard kick, against Michigan State on October 29, 2022. With four field goals against Illinois on November 19, 2022, including the game-winner with nine seconds left, he became the Michigan career field goal leader with 65, surpassing Garrett Rivas, and tied Remy Hamilton’s single-season mark of 25.
For the 2022 regular season, Moody converted 26 of 32 field goal attempts for an 81.25% success rate, while also going 53-for-53 on extra points. He led Michigan with 131 points scored, and his 2022 Fiesta Bowl field goal broke Desmond Howard’s single-season scoring record set in 1991, finishing the year with 147 points. He closed his college career with 355 points, a new all-time Michigan scoring record, and set the program record for the longest field goal made at 59 yards, surpassing the previous mark of 57 yards held by Quinn Nordin and Hayden Epstein.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2023–2025)
Moody was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (99th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft, making him just the second kicker to be selected within the top 100 picks in the last 15 drafts, and only the fifth kicker since 2000 to be taken in the first three rounds. Despite being injured in the final preseason game, he was cleared as the starting kicker for the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points in a 30–7 victory, becoming the first rookie kicker since Justin Tucker in 2012 to achieve that feat in a season opener. The following week against the Los Angeles Rams, he drilled a 57-yard field goal, the longest successful field goal by a rookie kicker in franchise history.
After a rocky Week 6 performance against the Cleveland Browns, Moody rebounded and finished his rookie campaign converting 21 of 25 field goals and 60 of 61 extra points. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team as the 49ers finished atop the NFC West with a 12–5 record. In Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs, Moody set the record for the longest field goal in a Super Bowl with a 55-yard kick, a mark broken later in the same game by Harrison Butker. He also added a 53-yard field goal and a 27-yard overtime field goal, nearly delivering a championship before Kansas City rallied to win 25–22.
In his second season opener against the New York Jets, Moody converted all six field goal attempts, tying the franchise single-game record, and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. A high ankle sprain in Week 5 derailed his momentum, and inconsistent play followed. He finished his second professional season converting 24 of 34 field goals and 32 of 33 extra points, a notable regression. He was waived by the 49ers on September 9, 2025, after a 1-for-3 start in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
Chicago Bears Era (2025)
On September 12, 2025, Moody signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. On October 13, 2025, ahead of the Bears’ Week 6 Monday Night Football matchup against the Washington Commanders, he was elevated to replace injured starting kicker Cairo Santos. In his Bears debut, he converted four of five field goals and his lone extra point attempt, with a 38-yard kick as time expired securing a narrow 25–24 road victory. He set a franchise record for most successful field goals in a debut. The following week against the New Orleans Saints, he made all four field goal attempts and both extra point attempts in a 26–14 victory.
Washington Commanders Era (2025–Present)
On November 18, 2025, the Washington Commanders signed Moody off the Bears’ practice squad, adding another chapter to his journeyman professional journey. He made his Commanders debut in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, joining a team looking to bolster its special teams down the stretch of the season. His veteran experience and strong leg made him an attractive option for Washington.
On March 12, 2026, Moody re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year $1.5 million contract, signaling the organization’s confidence in him as a long-term solution at kicker. The deal reflects his value as a proven clutch performer with a strong track record in high-pressure situations. He now enters a new phase of his career with a fresh opportunity to establish himself as a franchise cornerstone.
Driving Style and Strengths
Moody is widely recognized for his exceptional leg strength, highlighted by his 57-yard field goal as a rookie and his 55-yard Super Bowl record. He thrives in clutch moments, having drilled multiple game-winning kicks during his college and professional career. His consistency on extra points and his ability to handle adverse weather and field conditions make him a reliable option in a variety of game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Moody’s signature moments are his game-winning kicks against Nebraska in 2021 and Illinois in 2022, his Super Bowl LVIII 55-yard field goal, and his record-setting Bears debut in 2025. He also set the Michigan career scoring record with 355 points and the program record for the longest field goal made at 59 yards. His selection in the top 100 of the 2023 NFL draft marked him as a rare early-round kicker, a status that brought both high expectations and notable achievements.
Jake Moody Career Wins
Jake Moody’s career highlights span record-setting college performances, an All-Rookie NFL campaign, and a Super Bowl appearance. From his record-tying six field goals in a single game as a Jets opponent to his clutch game-winning kicks across multiple levels of football, he has consistently delivered in high-leverage moments. Below is a summary of his key performances by stop.
Michigan Wolverines Highlights
During his time at Michigan, Moody set the program’s all-time career scoring record with 355 points, surpassing the previous mark of 354 held by Garrett Rivas. He became the Michigan career field goal leader with 65 made field goals and set the program record for the longest field goal made at 59 yards. His 2021 Lou Groza Award and Consensus All-American selection highlighted one of the greatest individual seasons by a Wolverines kicker.
Other Wins and Performances
Moody set a franchise record for the Chicago Bears with the most successful field goals in a debut, converting four of five attempts in his first game with the team. He also tied the 49ers franchise record for most field goals converted in a single game, drilling six against the New York Jets in 2024. His 57-yard field goal as a rookie stands as the longest successful field goal by a rookie kicker in 49ers history.
Jake Moody Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jake Moody’s parents and immediate family is not widely documented in verified sources. He grew up in Commerce, Michigan, in the Detroit metropolitan area, and attended Northville High School, where he played football and baseball. His upbringing in a sports-rich region of Michigan helped shape his early development as a competitive athlete.
Personal Life
Jake Moody maintains a relatively private personal life. He is active on social media, including his verified Instagram account. He has not publicly disclosed details about a spouse or children in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a turbulent but resilient chapter in Jake Moody’s professional career. After being waived by the San Francisco 49ers following the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, he quickly caught on with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. His activation in Week 6 against the Washington Commanders produced an immediate impact, as he set a Bears franchise record for the most successful field goals in a debut, converting four of five attempts, including the game-winner as time expired. The following week against the New Orleans Saints, he continued his strong play with a perfect 4-for-4 performance on field goals.
On November 18, 2025, the Washington Commanders signed Moody off the Bears’ practice squad, adding a veteran kicker with a powerful leg and a track record of clutch performances. He made his Commanders debut in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, stepping into a crucial late-season role. His transition from waiver wire to active starter in three different organizations within a single season underscored both his perseverance and the high demand for his skill set.
Looking ahead, Moody’s re-signing with the Commanders on a one-year $1.5 million contract in March 2026 signals stability after a year of movement. With a clear role in Washington and a fresh contract, he has the platform to re-establish himself as one of the league’s most reliable kickers. The 2026 season will offer him the opportunity to build on his 64 career made field goals and continue his climb up the NFL’s all-time kicking ranks.
