The New Orleans Saints just signed one of the UFL's premier players. It was only a matter of time before an NFL team grabbed Louisville Kings' elite place kicker, Tanner Brown. Now, following the Louisville Kings' Championship season, Brown is seeing his NFL dreams come true after signing with the Saints.
Louisville Kings' Tanner Brown Is Now A New Orleans Saint
Named the UFL Special Teams Player of the Year, Brown is one of only two UFL kickers to successfully convert three four-point 60-yard field goals. He also became the only professional football player in history to have two 60-yard kicks in one game. Two weeks ago, in the Kings' playoff victory against the St. Louis Battlehawks, Brown booted his second 60-yard field goal of the season and followed that up with a second record-breaking 63-yard field goal.
Tanner Brown Finds UFL Success After Getting Cut From The NFL
It's become a familiar story; a talented young player struggles to catch a break in the NFL, often riding the practice squad merry-go-round without taking the field. He decides to give spring football a try, and after a standout UFL season, he is finally signed to an NFL roster.
A native of Santa Clarita, California, Brown attended Oklahoma State, where he was a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award given to the best collegiate kicker. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, he briefly spent time with the L.A. Rams and the Atlanta Falcons practice squads without ever taking the field.
Signed as a UDFA by the Rams during the 2023 preseason, Brown had an opportunity to compete for the starting assignment against another UDFA, Christopher Dunn from NC State. Dunn won the Groza Award the previous year and was signed to the Rams practice squad in May of 2023. When Dunn was waived on June 15th, it looked as though Brown had a good chance of making the 53-man roster. However, he was released on August 29, 2023, and NFL veteran kicker Brett Maher was signed the following day.
Nonetheless, when newly drafted Rams’ rookie kicker Joshua Karty suffered a minor groin injury in September of 2024, Brown was signed to L.A.’s practice squad for a second time. Released in October of that year, Brown signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice in December, only to be released two days later.
Tanner Brown, An Outstanding Record-Breaking UFL Season
Since joining the Kings as a UFL newcomer, Brown has made no secret of his desire to rejoin the NFL. He did everything in his power to make sure that happened. Named to the All-UL team, Brown memorably converted five field goals in one game, including four from 50-plus yards. During the regular season, he further distinguished himself as the number one kicker in the UFL, racking up an incredible 99 points by converting 25 of 28 field goals for 89.3% and 23 of 23 extra points.
Louisville coach Chris Redman has been one of Brown's biggest supporters this season, frequently commenting on his calm demeanor during high-pressure kicking situations. No matter the situation, he didn't show any nerves.
When Brown was named The Special Teams Player of the Year, Redman couldn't have been prouder, saying, "This honor is incredibly well deserved, and Tanner has earned every bit of it".
As the most successful spring football kicker in history, Brown is destined to join the ranks of previous special team spring standouts, Brandon Aubrey, Jake Bates, Andre Szmyt, and Harrison Mevis, who previously earned starting roles with NFL teams.