After pursuing walk-on opportunities since 2023, Louisville Kings’ standout Tanner Brown is about to become the object of a potential bidding war from several NFL teams this summer. After converting four of four field goals plus two extra points on Saturday, including a 60-yard four-point kick, Brown seems destined to follow in the footsteps of other successful spring kickers who channeled their spring triumph into NFL careers.
For a talented young player who has been previously overlooked by the NFL, one of the biggest advantages of playing in the spring league is translating that success into an NFL career opportunity. Over the past few years, no position has proven more of an immediate springboard to the NFL than that of a placekicker. With NFL teams actively seeking players with previous soccer experience or exceptional leg strength, the UFL has become a virtual smorgasbord for power kickers. Now, Brown is about to become the most highly sought-after UFL kicker since Jake Bates in 2024.
Tanner Brown Poised To Become The Latest UFL To NFL Kicker
On Thursday, the UFL named Brown the UFL Special Teams Player of the Week. It was the second time this season he received that honor. The first time was in Week 4 when the Kings won their first game of the season, a 24-22 victory over the Houston Gamblers. Tying a UFL single-game record, Brown converted five field goals (including three from over 50-yards), a 59-yarder, a 58-yarder, a 52-yarder, plus kicks from 21 and 48 yards.
This past week, Brown became only the second kicker in UFL history to boot a 60-yard kick, joining D.C. Defenders veteran Matt McCrane.
Brown’s Previous NFL Experience
Since joining the UFL as a newcomer this season, Brown has never made a secret of his desire to rejoin the NFL. Before joining the Kings, Brown spent time with the L.A. Rams and the Atlanta Falcons without ever taking the field.
Despite being named a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award, the Oklahoma State graduate went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. 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.
Drafted By The Louisville Kings
In January of 2026, Brown was selected by the Kings in the UFL Draft. Over the past eight weeks, Brown recorded 22 of 25 field goal attempts and currently leads the league with 82 points. With two games left to play on the regular schedule, Brown has already tied the UFL record for the most field goals in a single season. Right now, foremost on his mind is the upcoming game against the Dallas Renegades this Sunday and helping the Kings earn that coveted fourth-playoff spot.
However, following the close of the UFL postseason, Brown will likely be joining Bates, Brandon Aubrey, Andre Szmyt, and Harrison Mevis in earning a starting role with an NFL team.