Matt McCrane Bio
Matt McCrane is an American professional football placekicker who has played in college, the National Football League, the XFL, and the United Football League. McCrane played collegiately for the Kansas State Wildcats and entered the professional ranks after the 2018 NFL draft as an undrafted free agent signed by the Arizona Cardinals.
Early Life and Background
Matthew McCrane was born on September 8, 1994, in Brownwood, Texas. He attended Brownwood High School, where he handled kicking duties and set a school record with a 52-yard field goal while converting 41 of 44 extra points and seven field goals in his senior season.
McCrane continued his education and football career at Kansas State University, joining the Wildcats program under head coach Bill Snyder. At Kansas State from 2014 to 2017 he developed a reputation for accuracy and consistency, finishing his college career with strong kicking percentages and conference recognition.
Path to American Football
At Brownwood High School McCrane earned attention for long-range kicking and reliability on extra points, which opened the door to a scholarship at Kansas State. His high school performances and leg strength positioned him to compete for starting duties at the collegiate level.
While at Kansas State, McCrane progressed from a recruited kicker to a dependable specialist, converting 133 of 134 extra point attempts and 57 of 66 field goal attempts across his college career. His accuracy placed him among the top kickers in Big 12 history and drew All-Big 12 honors in 2017.
Matt McCrane Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft, McCrane signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. He spent time on the Cardinals’ roster and practice squad in 2018 while also receiving opportunities with the Oakland Raiders and later with the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the 2018 season.
McCrane made a notable NFL early-career impact with the Oakland Raiders, where in his NFL debut he converted the game-winning field goal. Later in the 2018 season he performed well with the Pittsburgh Steelers in their final regular-season game, making all three field goal attempts and his extra point in a road win.
NFL Breakthrough (2018)
McCrane’s NFL breakthrough came during a concentrated run of short-term signings and in-game opportunities in 2018. With the Oakland Raiders he converted three of five field goals and four extra points in a single game against the Cleveland Browns, including a game-winning kick in his debut for the team.
Short stints on active rosters and practice squads characterized his early professional years, with the Cardinals and Steelers both providing him game and roster experience. These NFL appearances established McCrane as a reliable emergency and competition-era placekicker at the professional level.
XFL and UFL Years (2020–2025)
McCrane was selected by the New York Guardians in the 2020 XFL Supplemental Draft and joined the league for its 2020 season; his contract was later terminated when the XFL suspended operations. He returned to NFL practice squads and reserve contracts thereafter, signing with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad in 2020 and later joining the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad in late 2021.
In January 2023 McCrane signed with the DC Defenders of the United Football League, marking a return to a sustained role as a primary placekicker. He re-signed with the Defenders in January 2024, and his performances in the UFL included multiple long-distance field goals and key game-winning kicks that helped solidify his role.
DC Defenders Era (2023–Present)
McCrane signed with the DC Defenders on January 17, 2023, and re-signed with the team on January 22, 2024, before briefly signing with an NFL organization later in 2024. He returned to the Defenders in December 2024 and was a member of the squad that captured the UFL championship in 2025.
During his time with the Defenders, McCrane delivered notable long-range field goals, including a standout performance on April 13, 2024, when he kicked field goals of 58, 54 and 49 yards, the last of which was a game-winner. Those kicks highlighted his range and helped define his UFL tenure.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCrane’s kicking profile centers on leg strength and distance range, with an ability to convert long field goals and contribute reliably on extra points. He pairs distance with developed accuracy from his Kansas State and professional experience, and his performance on clutch attempts has been a defining attribute.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in McCrane’s career include his game-winning field goal for the Oakland Raiders in his NFL debut, All-Big 12 recognition in 2017, and a multi-long field-goal game for the DC Defenders in April 2024. He was part of the DC Defenders roster that won the UFL championship in 2025.
Matt McCrane Career Wins
McCrane’s career includes game-winning field goals at both the NFL and UFL levels and a championship as part of the 2025 DC Defenders. His verified professional highlights span roster moves, in-game kicking success, and championship contributions in the United Football League.
UFL Highlights
With the DC Defenders McCrane produced long-distance scoring runs and pivotal kicks that contributed directly to wins and postseason success. His 58-, 54- and 49-yard field goals in a single game in April 2024 stand out as a signature performance during his UFL career.
Other Wins & Perfromances
In the NFL, McCrane recorded a game-winning field goal for the Oakland Raiders in his debut and made three field goals in his first appearance for the Pittsburgh Steelers, helping secure a regular-season victory. Collegiately, his consistent kicking at Kansas State set program and conference benchmarks for accuracy.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025 McCrane was a member of the DC Defenders team that won the UFL championship. As the team’s placekicker he contributed field goals and kickoff duties across the season and played a role in the Defenders’ scoring balance that led to the title.
The 2025 championship capped a multi-year run in alternative professional leagues that followed his initial NFL work, demonstrating his ability to sustain a professional kicking career through performance in multiple organizations and leagues.