Braden Mann Bio
Braden Mann (born November 24, 1997) is an American professional football punter for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He is widely recognized for his record-breaking college career at Texas A&M University, where he became a unanimous All-American and won the prestigious Ray Guy Award. Mann has since built a strong professional resume that includes a Super Bowl championship and a season-leading punting performance during his rookie year.
Standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds, Mann has earned a reputation for consistency and toughness in the special teams phase of the game. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in 2020 and has since played for the Pittsburgh Steelers before finding a long-term home with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Early Life and Background
Braden Mann was born on November 24, 1997, in Houston, Texas, USA. He grew up in the Houston area and attended Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas, where he developed his skills as both a kicker and a punter under head coach Ed Pustejovsky, a former Texas A&M football player. His high school career offered him an early platform to showcase his strong leg and consistent accuracy.
As a junior at Cy-Fair, Mann converted 7 of 10 field goal attempts, with a long of 49 yards, and 46 of 48 extra point tries. His performance earned him a spot on the 2014 Houston Chronicle All-Greater Houston team. During his senior year, he was perfect on extra points, going 25 for 25, and averaged 45 yards per punt across 41 attempts, demonstrating both reliability and range. Following his senior season, he was selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, an honor reserved for the top high school football prospects in the country.
Although Mann originally wanted to play linebacker, his size and a history of injuries pushed him toward the kicking game. As a college recruit, he was rated the number two kicker nationally by Rivals.com and the number five kicker by 247Sports.com, signaling that his future as a specialist was already taking shape.
Path to American Football
Mann committed to Texas A&M University, where he joined a competitive football program in the Southeastern Conference. During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he served primarily as the kickoff specialist. As a freshman, he averaged 63.9 yards on 76 kickoffs, and during his sophomore year, he averaged 62.4 yards on 73 kickoffs. He saw limited punting duty in his first two college seasons, recording just two punts as a freshman and none as a sophomore.
Following the graduation of veteran punter Shane Tripucka, Mann earned the starting punter role for the 2018 season and made an immediate impact. During a high-profile game against Alabama, he broke the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision single-game punting average record with a 60.8-yard average, surpassing a mark that had stood since 1983. He also recorded an 82-yard punt against Kentucky, the third-longest in Texas A&M history and the longest for the program since 1944.
His dominant junior season drew national attention, and by midseason he had already earned All-America recognition from outlets such as the Associated Press, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today. Former NFL punter and pro bowler Pat McAfee also publicly praised his performance, helping to elevate his draft stock.
Braden Mann Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Braden Mann was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round with the 191st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He quickly became a key member of the Jets’ special teams unit. During a game against the Los Angeles Rams, Mann delivered a game-saving open-field tackle on punt returner Nsimba Webster, helping the Jets secure a 23–20 victory. Despite the team’s overall struggles that season, finishing 2–14, Mann posted 3,598 total punting yards with a 43.9-yard average, which led the entire NFL in punting yards for the 2020 season.
On September 14, 2021, Mann was placed on injured reserve, and he was activated on November 13 of that year. In Week 2 of the 2022 season, he delivered a strong performance against the Cleveland Browns, recording two punts inside the 20-yard line, a 50-yard long, and a 17-yard completion on a fake punt. He also executed a successful onside kick in a 31–30 win, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. On April 13, 2023, Mann was waived by the New York Jets, ending his time with the franchise.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2023)
On April 17, 2023, Braden Mann was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers. His tenure in Pittsburgh was brief, as he was waived by the team on August 30, 2023, before the start of the regular season.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2023–Present)
On September 18, 2023, Mann signed with the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles. He was promoted to the active roster on October 12, 2023. One of his early highlights with the team came on December 11, 2023, when he faked a punt and completed a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus during a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
On March 12, 2024, Mann signed a two-year contract extension with the Eagles, solidifying his role with the franchise. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors following a 24–19 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13 of the 2024 season. The defining moment of his Eagles career came when he won his first Super Bowl championship, as Philadelphia defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX. Mann punted twice in the victory.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mann is known for his strong leg, excellent directional control, and willingness to contribute in all phases of special teams. His ability to flip the field, combined with his composure in high-pressure situations, has made him a reliable asset for the Eagles. He has also demonstrated versatility by successfully executing fake punts and onside kicks throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable milestones in Braden Mann’s career are his 2018 unanimous All-American selection, his 2020 NFL punting yards title, and his Super Bowl LIX victory with the Philadelphia Eagles. His NCAA records for single-game and single-season punting average remain a defining part of his legacy.
Braden Mann Career Wins
Braden Mann’s career is highlighted by championship success and individual accolades across both college and professional football. His resume includes conference, national, and Super Bowl-level achievements that underscore his consistency as a punter and special teams contributor.
College Highlights
During his junior season at Texas A&M, Mann led the nation with a 50.98-yard punting average, breaking the previous NCAA single-season record of 50.28 set in 1997. He also set the FBS single-game punting average record with 60.8 yards against Alabama. He was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year, earned first-team All-SEC honors twice (2018 and 2019), and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He also won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top collegiate punter.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NFL, Mann was named the 2020 NFL punting yards leader during his rookie season. He has earned multiple conference player of the week awards, including AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2022 and NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2024. His biggest professional win came in Super Bowl LIX, where the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22.
Braden Mann Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Braden Mann’s family background is limited. He has credited his high school coach, Ed Pustejovsky, a former Texas A&M football player, as a key mentor in his development as a kicker and punter.
Personal Life
Braden Mann maintains a relatively private personal life. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his career updates. Specific details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
As Braden Mann enters the 2025 NFL season, he remains a vital part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ special teams unit following his Super Bowl LIX triumph. With a two-year contract extension signed in March 2024 keeping him with the team through the 2025 season, Mann is expected to continue his role as the Eagles’ primary punter.
Coming off an NFC Special Teams Player of the Week performance in 2024, Mann will look to build on the momentum of the Eagles’ championship run. His experience and ability to execute under pressure make him a key figure in the team’s pursuit of another deep playoff run.
With his career now featuring a Super Bowl title, an NFL punting yards crown, and unanimous All-American honors, Braden Mann is positioned to continue contributing at a high level in 2025 and beyond.