Continuing their overhaul of the roster, the New York Jets made some significant changes to their special teams unit. Primarily, their search is for their next starting kicker. While not the sole reason behind their unfortunate season, an improved kicker would greatly benefit New York. Once Greg Zuerlein lost his job, many expected recently signed Anders Carlson to be the favorite to win the job. However, a new contender for the Jets has emerged in this UFL kicking phenom. Despite his lack of experience, he was a standout talent for the Missouri Tigers for years. After playing this past season for the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, this kicker looks to capitalize and help both himself and the Jets in 2025.
Daniel Brown vs Tim Wylie MMA Fight (Round 1)
In 2024, the New York Jets were a team in disarray. Between a diminished Aaron Rodgers overcompensating on offense and a defensive unit that lost their edge, the team had a 5-12 season many wish to forget. Among this was a year of regression from one of their respected veterans. 13-year veteran Greg Zuerlein had one of the worst seasons of his career after a standout season in 2023. Zuerlein made only 60% of his field goals last year through only eight games. As a result, the team replaced Zuerlein with 2023 sixth-round pick Anders Carlson. Although Carlson was a much more efficient 80% of his field goals through five games. However, the 27-year-old wouldn’t be the answer.
Last week, the Jets released Anders Carlson. The three-year veteran kicker will look for his fourth team after playing for the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers before coming to New York. As for the Jets, the search for a new kicker remains. However, the team will take an opportunity on an experienced SEC kicker who turned some heads in the United Football League this spring.
Harrison Mevis from 53 yards! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3R1NgjakeU
— Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) March 30, 2025
New York signs kicker Harrison Mevis
Continuing with general manager Darren Mougey’s theme of giving young veterans an opportunity, the Jets put pen to paper, signing Birmingham Stallions kicker Harrison Mevis. Before his UFL career, Mevis was a multi-year starter for coach Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri Tigers in the SEC. During this time, many college football fans witnessed the aptly named “Thicker Kicker” become an asset for the University of Missouri. Standing 5’11” and weighing 245 lbs, Mevis’s frame is anything but a detriment. Mevis’ breakout season came in 2021, when the sophomore kicker made 26 field goals on 28 attempts and was perfect 42-42 on all extra point attempts. As a result, Mevis was named first team All-American that season. As well, Mevis only missed one extra point attempt in his entire collegiate career. His college career ended with him making 84% of all his field goal attempts.
The UFL helped Mevis return to the NFL
After going undrafted in 2024, Mevis spent his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent. However, this tenure was short-lived after he was released in August. Once that ended, Mevis was patient and opted to sign with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League. For Mevis, this is a route that has led to success for kickers before. The UFL allowed Brandon Aubrey to go from an unknown to a two-time All-Pro kicker for the Dallas Cowboys. Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates earned his way to the NFL after playing for the UFL’s Michigan Panthers earlier in the spring of 2024.
Mevis took full advantage of his time in the UFL. Mevis finished his season completing 20-21 field goal attempts, including making a 52-yard field goal. After completing 95% of his field goals, the Jets recognize the appeal that the UFL has had in changing NFL special teams units. Along with Brandon Aubrey and Jake Bates’ success, Kavontae Turpin was another success story of spring football. Turpin turned a fledgling indoor football career into a tremendous kick returner for the New Jersey Generals of the USFL in 2021. Soon, he’d sign with the Dallas Cowboys, and three years later, Turpin had been named to two Pro Bowl teams. He shone in 2024, earning first-team All-Pro honors after leading the league in kickoff return yards. Harrison Mevis can be an asset to the Jets if he wins the job. At only 23 years old, a great season from Mevis can hopefully lead to Harrison Mevis being the Jets long-term kicker.
Conclusion
2025 will be a year of analysis for head coach Aaron Glenn. To turn this team into his vision, the Jets will be looking through the entire depth chart for their foundational building blocks at this time. This roster has seen a number of young talents who never clicked with their initial teams. Including their former 11th overall pick, Justin Fields, starting at quarterback. A reliable special-teams unit is a gift few head coaches fully grasp. If Harrison Mevis can turn into a multi-season starter, he’d be a huge step for Aaron Glenn’s desire to build this roster.
