The New York Jets are shaking things up once again, this time by bringing in UFL kicker Harrison Mevis. Recent reports confirm that Mevis has signed with the team, adding another layer to a position that experienced quite a bit of turbulence last season. The Jets cycled through five different kickers, a situation that certainly kept fans on edge, and now they have Mevis joining Anders Carlson and undrafted rookie Caden Davis in the battle for the job.
Known affectionately as “The Thiccer Kicker,” Mevis is hoping to carve out a niche for himself in the NFL. He’s part of a growing trend of players who have turned to alternative leagues for a shot at professional football. Mevis notably shone this past spring, posting an impressive 20-for-21 success rate on field goal attempts with the Birmingham Stallions, including a stellar long of 54 yards. That kind of performance can’t be overlooked when teams are searching for stability in their special teams.
His college career was equally noteworthy, as he etched his name into SEC history by nailing a 61-yard field goal, which stands as the longest in conference history. Over four years with the Missouri Tigers, he converted 89 of 106 attempts, boasting an 84 percent success rate. Those statistics make it clear that Mevis has the leg and the ability to make significant kicks when called upon.
After going undrafted last year, he signed with the Carolina Panthers but found stiff competition in Eddy Pineiro, ultimately leading to his departure from the roster. Now, as he takes another shot with the Jets, fans will be watching closely to see if he can make a lasting impact and secure a starting role in what has certainly been a chaotic kicking situation for the team. With the potential he’s shown, Mevis could very well be the answer to the Jets’ kicking woes as they strive for consistency and reliability on special teams.
