Thiccer Kicker Gets NFL Shot
On June 17, 2025, the New York Jets signed kicker Harrison Mevis, known as “The Thiccer Kicker,” following his standout 2025 season with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. The 23-year-old Missouri product, who went 20-for-21 on field goals, aims to secure a roster spot after a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers in 2024. This move, accompanied by the release of kicker Anders Carlson, signals the Jets’ search for stability at the position. This article explores Mevis’s journey and its impact, optimized for searches like “Harrison Mevis Jets signing 2025” and “Birmingham Stallions NFL kicker.”
Mevis’s Rise: From Mizzou to UFL Stardom
Harrison Mevis, a 6-foot, 243-pound kicker, earned his nickname at the University of Missouri, where he set the SEC record with a 61-yard game-winning field goal against No. 15 Kansas State in 2023. A first-team All-American in 2021, he converted 89 of 106 field goals (84%) and 148 of 149 extra points during his four-year college career. After going undrafted in 2024, Mevis signed with the Panthers, making a 41-yard field goal in a preseason game but was waived during roster cuts. Joining the Stallions in December 2024, he delivered a near-perfect season, hitting 95.2% of his field goals (20/21), including 5 of 6 from 50+ yards (long of 54), and averaging 64.9 yards on kickoffs. His Week 7 performance (3-for-3, long of 52 yards) earned him UFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Jets’ Kicking Woes: Mevis as the Solution
The Jets, plagued by inconsistency at kicker in 2024, used five different players who combined for a 71.4% field goal rate (20/28), with Greg Zuerlein struggling (9/15 in eight games). Mevis’s signing, alongside rookie Caden Davis and the waived Anders Carlson (8/10 in 2024), sets up a training camp battle. Analysts, including UFL insider James Larsen, praise Mevis’s “monster leg” and 95% UFL accuracy, noting his proficiency in the NFL’s new kickoff format. With former Missouri teammates Armand Membou and Brady Cook on the Jets’ roster, Mevis has a familiar support system. Social media buzz, especially from Jets fans, highlights excitement for his potential to follow UFL-to-NFL success stories like Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys) and Jake Bates (Lions).
Challenges and Opportunities
Mevis faces a competitive camp against Davis, a 2025 undrafted free agent from Ole Miss, but his UFL performance—second-highest conversion rate in the league—gives him an edge. His 5-for-6 record from 50+ yards and lone miss from 63 yards showcase his range, critical for a Jets team seeking reliability in close games. However, Mevis’s limited NFL experience (no regular-season games) and the pressure of New York’s market pose challenges. His physical build and clutch kicking, like his 2023 Mizzou heroics, draw comparisons to Aubrey, suggesting he could secure the starting role if he maintains consistency. The Jets’ decision to waive Carlson indicates confidence in Mevis’s potential to stabilize the position.
Impact on the Jets and UFL’s Growing Pipeline
Mevis’s signing bolsters the Jets’ special teams, addressing a 2024 weakness that cost them in tight contests. If he wins the job, he could emulate Aubrey (2023 All-Pro) and Bates (26/29 FGs in 2024), reinforcing the UFL as a proving ground for NFL kickers. For Birmingham, losing Mevis is a blow but underscores their track record of sending specialists to the NFL, following Aubrey and Bates. As Mevis prepares for camp, his journey from Mizzou to the UFL to the Jets could mark the start of a breakout NFL career, with fans already chanting “Thiccer Kicker” on social media.
