Former Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis has earned himself a second chance at making an NFL roster, signing with the New York Jets on Tuesday after a successful United Football League season with the Birmingham Stallions.
The Warsaw, Indiana, product originally signed with the Carolina Panthers on May 10, 2024, after going undrafted earlier that spring. However, Mevis lost the kicking competition to Eddy Piñeiro and was released Aug. 11.
The 5-foot-11, 243-pounder rebounded quickly, signing with the Stallions on Dec. 6 and earning the starting job. In his lone UFL season, Mevis was nearly perfect, making 20-of-21 field goals, with a long of 54 yards. He went 5-for-6 from 50-plus yards, and his only miss was an attempt from 63 yards.
The “Thiccer Kicker” is the third former Mizzou standout to sign with the Jets this offseason. New York selected offensive tackle Armand Membou with the seventh pick in the draft, and quarterback Brady Cook signed as an undrafted free agent April 26.
Mevis delivered several memorable moments in four seasons at Mizzou, most notably a 61-yard game-winning field goal to beat Kansas State 30-27 on Sept. 16, 2023. The 2021 All-American made 89-of-106 field goals during his collegiate career.
A roster spot with the Jets — who released veteran Greg Zuerlein on May 16 — is far from guaranteed. Mevis will compete with Anders Carlson, who kicked in five games for New York last season, and undrafted free agent Caden Davis, a rookie out of Ole Miss. Training camp begins July 25.
Mevis will try to follow in the footsteps of Dallas’ Brandon Aubrey and Detroit’s Jake Bates, both of whom have thrived in the NFL after playing in the UFL for Birmingham and Michigan, respectively.