Jake Moody is only a rookie kicker in the NFL, but he has made an early impression with the San Francisco 49ers as a largely dependable contributor at the spot. Moody is one of several young players who have deftly stepped into crucial roles to help fuel the team’s run to Super Bowl 58 and a chance at winning the franchise’s first championship since 1994.
A Look at Jake Moody’s Background, Career
Moody was born in Commerce, Michigan, and attended Northville High School, where he played football and baseball. He then stayed close to home for college, as he went to the University of Michigan and was part of the team there from 2018-2022.
He initially committed without a scholarship offer from the school, but he was put on a scholarship in June 2018. Moody made a Michigan single-game record six field goals during a 31-20 win over Indiana as a freshman, setting the tone for his standout career with the Wolverines.
Moody went a perfect 148 of 148 on extra-point attempts across his five seasons at Michigan, and he made a respectable 82.1% of his field goal tries (69 of 84). He made a college career-long 59-yard field goal during the Wolverines’ 51-45 College Football Playoff loss to TCU in 2022.
Those collegiate exploits caught the eye of NFL scouts and made him a touted prospect heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
Moody was ultimately the first of three kickers to be selected in the draft, as San Francisco made a bit of a surprising choice to take him 99th overall in the third round.
He was the second kicker taken with a top-100 pick in the last 15 drafts, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ pick of Roberto Aguayo 59th overall in 2016 being the other.
Chad Ryland was also taken in the fourth round of the 2023 draft by the New England Patriots, while the Green Bay Packers took Anders Carlson in Round 6.
Moody has largely had a strong rookie season for the 49ers. He went 21 of 25 on field goal attempts and 60 of 61 on extra points throughout the regular season, including a long of 57 yards during San Francisco’s 30-23 Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
He has endured some rough moments, however, led by missing a game-winning field goal attempt from 41 yards out in the final seconds of the 49ers’ 19-17 Week 6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Moody went 1 of 3 in the game and 1 of 2 the next week but otherwise has been fairly spot-on with his field goals.
He has gone 7 of 7 so far on playoff extra points and made 3 of 5 field goals in narrow wins over the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
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Time will tell whether Moody is able to shine on the biggest stage if the 49ers call upon him in a key moment.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
