Anders Carlson Bio
Anders Bjorn Carlson (born June 16, 1998) is an American professional football placekicker known for his strong leg and accuracy from long range. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Carlson has been recognized as both a high school and collegiate All-American, an All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) First Team selection, and a Lou Groza Award semifinalist. He has since played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets.
Early Life and Background
Anders Bjorn Carlson was born on June 16, 1998, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to parents Hans and Jodie Carlson. He grew up alongside two brothers, Nils and Daniel, in a household that encouraged athletic participation. His older brother, Daniel, would later become a professional placekicker for the Las Vegas Raiders and an All-American kicker at Auburn.
Carlson attended The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, where he played football, soccer, and basketball for the Titans. As a sophomore in 2014, he made four of six field goal attempts with a long of 44 yards, along with nine of 10 extra-point attempts. His kicking continued to improve, and as a senior in 2016, he connected on 13 of 23 field goal attempts, with a long of 51 yards, and all 49 of his extra-point attempts. He was also a talented soccer player, helping the Titans reach the Class 4A State finals in both 2014 and 2015.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school as a three-star prospect, Carlson was rated the highest-rated prep kicker recruit in the nation and a top-10 overall recruit in the state of Colorado by ESPN. He was invited to the 2017 Under Armour All-America Game, showcasing his status among the elite kickers in his class. Carlson ultimately committed to play college football for the Auburn Tigers over scholarship offers from Oklahoma State and Vanderbilt.
Anders Carlson Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Carlson redshirted his true freshman season in 2017 at Auburn, serving as the backup placekicker behind his older brother, Daniel. The following year, he gained attention at Auburn’s practice facility by kicking a 62-yard field goal, signaling the strength of his leg. In his 2018 redshirt freshman campaign, he made 15 of 25 field goal attempts, including two 53-yarders that ranked as the second-longest field goals by a freshman in Auburn history. He converted all 44 of his extra-point attempts and recorded his first career reception, a 3-yard catch, on a fake field goal play against Alabama.
Auburn Breakthrough (2019–2020)
In 2019, Carlson was named SEC Media Preseason All-SEC Second Team and SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC Third Team. He earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after making all four field goal attempts in Auburn’s 48–45 upset win over Alabama in the Iron Bowl, including a 52-yarder that tied for Auburn’s longest field goal in Iron Bowl history. His third extra point against Arkansas set an NCAA record for consecutive successful extra points (303) by Auburn kickers, a streak that spanned six seasons and 78 games. He finished the 2019 season making 18 of 25 field goals and 48 of 49 extra points.
Carlson’s 2020 redshirt junior season was his most decorated. He was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, an AFCA Coaches’ All-America Second Team selection, a Phil Steele All-America Honorable Mention, and an Associated Press All-SEC First Team honoree. That season, he made 20 of 22 field goal attempts with a long of 50 yards, and 24 of 25 extra points, establishing himself as one of the top kickers in college football.
Senior Season and Injury (2021)
As a redshirt senior in 2021, Carlson made 14 of 21 field goal attempts with a long of 49 yards, and 35 of 36 extra points. On November 13, against Mississippi State, he suffered a season-ending torn ACL that cut his final Auburn season short. By the end of his Auburn career, he ranked fifth in program history in points (275), third in field goals made (53), and sixth in extra points made (116).
Green Bay Packers Era (2023–2024)
Carlson was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round, 207th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft and signed his rookie contract on May 5, 2023. In his rookie season, he led the NFL in missed kicks with thirteen. In the Divisional Round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Carlson missed a field goal that would have given the Packers a seven-point lead, and Green Bay went on to lose 24–21. Head coach Matt LaFleur and teammates publicly supported Carlson, emphasizing that the missed kick was not the sole reason for the loss. In 2024, the Packers signed kickers Jack Podlesny and Greg Joseph to compete with him, and after none made the final roster, Carlson was released on August 27, 2024.
San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets (2024)
On October 15, 2024, the San Francisco 49ers signed Carlson to their practice squad and elevated him to the active roster for a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 20. In that game, he made both of his field goal attempts, including a career-long 55-yarder, but also missed an extra point. He was released by the 49ers on November 5, 2024.
Three days later, on November 8, the New York Jets signed Carlson to their practice squad, and he was elevated to the active roster for a game against the Indianapolis Colts on November 17. In that contest, he set a new personal record by kicking a 58-yard field goal. He remained the Jets’ kicker until he was designated inactive for the December 29 game and was released by the team on December 30, 2024. On January 14, 2025, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Jets, and on June 18, he was released.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carlson’s defining trait as a kicker is his powerful leg, demonstrated by his 58-yard career-long field goal in the NFL and a 62-yard kick during Auburn practice. He has shown accuracy from mid-range distances, converting 90 percent of his extra points during his standout 2020 college season. His mental toughness was evident in his bounce-back performances with multiple NFL teams after being released.
Notable Events and Milestones
Carlson set an NCAA record for consecutive successful extra points by Auburn kickers with his 303rd straight make against Arkansas in 2019. In the NFL, he became a reliable long-range option, hitting a 55-yarder with the 49ers and a 58-yarder with the Jets. He earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his performance in the 2019 Iron Bowl against Alabama.
Anders Carlson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Anders Bjorn Carlson was born to Hans and Jodie Carlson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has two brothers, Nils and Daniel. His older brother, Daniel Carlson, is the placekicker for the Las Vegas Raiders and was also an All-American kicker at Auburn, making football a central thread in the family’s identity.
Personal Life
Carlson is a Christian who has spoken openly about his faith. In 2020, he graduated from Auburn with a degree in aviation from the university’s College of Business, and he has pursued graduate studies. He earned multiple academic honors at Auburn, including Academic Top Tiger, SEC Academic Honor Roll, and CoSIDA Academic All-District recognition.
2025 Season Performance
Anders Carlson signed a reserve/futures contract with the New York Jets on January 14, 2025, giving him a path back to the active roster for the upcoming season. However, on June 18, 2025, he was released by the Jets, leaving his 2025 status as a free agent. Given his prior NFL experience, including long field goals with multiple teams, he remains a candidate for kicking opportunities around the league.
His 2024 highlights, including a 55-yarder with the 49ers and a 58-yarder with the Jets, suggest that he can compete for a placekicking role if a team seeks a strong-legged specialist. As of mid-2025, his outlook depends on securing a workout or signing with a franchise in need of kicking depth.