Can former Mizzou Kicker Harrison Mevis still find a home in the NFL?

With the NFL season just under a month away and preseason football in full swing, roster decisions are being made. After spending four seasons at the University of Missouri, Harrison Mevis signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. However, on Sunday afternoon, the Panthers opted for the experience of Eddy Piñeiro, ultimately waiving the former Mizzou kicker, Mevis.

During his time at Mizzou, Harrison Mevis earned the nickname "The Thiccer Kicker" for his unique size at the position, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing around 243 pounds. Although he lost the Panthers' kicking battle, it doesn't mean Mevis won't find a job this season.

Throughout his career, Mevis was a reliable option for Missouri. In his senior season, he made 24 of 30 field goal attempts, achieving an 80% success rate. Although he missed six kicks, Mevis was frequently placed in high-pressure situations, potentially preparing him for a professional kicking career.

Mevis excelled at long-distance kicks during his college career, maintaining a very respectable 13-for-18 success rate on field goals over 50 yards. His most memorable moment came in his senior season when he nailed a 61-yard game-winning field goal to defeat Kansas State.

Opportunities for Mevis will likely arise throughout the season, as teams are always looking to improve at kicker. Many teams struggle with consistency and often make changes mid-season; in 2023 alone, 39 different kickers registered stats.

Even if his opportunity doesn’t come immediately in the NFL, there are plenty of other opportunities to gain experience. We’re seeing more kickers make the jump from lower-level professional football leagues, like Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys, who became one of the league's best kickers last season after starting in the USFL with the Birmingham Stallions. With the recent emergence of the UFL, that could be another potential opportunity for Mevis in the near future.