Cade York Bio
Cade F. York (born January 27, 2001) is an American professional football placekicker who has played in the National Football League (NFL) since 2022. He is best known for winning a College Football Playoff national championship with the LSU Tigers and for a memorable debut with the Cleveland Browns that featured a game-winning kick. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 205 pounds, York has built his career on a strong leg and a willingness to attempt long-range field goals.
Born in McKinney, Texas, York developed into one of the top kicking prospects in the country at Prosper High School before committing to LSU. After a college career that included All-American and All-SEC honors, he was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Since then, he has spent time with several NFL organizations and currently plays for the New Orleans Saints.
Early Life and Background
Cade F. York was born on January 27, 2001, in McKinney, Texas. He grew up in the Prosper area north of Dallas and attended Prosper High School, where he was known as a multi-sport athlete. In addition to football, York played soccer, and the footwork developed on the pitch contributed to his kicking mechanics.
On the football field, York established himself as one of the top kicking prospects in the nation. He set an Under Armour All-America Game record for longest field goal, hitting a 59-yard kick that far exceeded his previous career long of 47 yards in high school. His strong senior performances drew attention from major college programs and led to his commitment to LSU.
York came from a supportive family environment in North Texas, and his early focus on kicking rather than other football positions helped him specialize at a young age. By the time he finished high school, he was already considered one of the most accurate and powerful kickers in his recruiting class.
Path to American Football
York’s path to professional football began with his commitment to LSU, where he was slated to compete for the starting kicker job. He was named the Tigers’ starting kicker before the 2019 season and quickly became a key special teams contributor for one of the most prominent programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
As a freshman, York endured a few early misses but rebounded to earn SEC All-Freshman recognition and second-team All-SEC honors while helping LSU win the 2020 College Football Playoff national championship. His first major showcase on a national stage came during that championship run, where his reliability on extra points and field goals gave the Tigers a steady special teams weapon.
The following season, York elevated his profile as a sophomore. He finished perfect on extra points (36-for-36), connected on 85.7 percent of his field goal attempts, and earned Lou Groza Award semifinalist recognition. A career-long 57-yard field goal against Florida with 27 seconds remaining proved he could deliver in pressure moments, and he added first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American selections to his résumé.
Cade York Career
Early Career (2022)
York entered the NFL after being selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 124th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. He wasted no time making an impression, converting all four field goal attempts and both extra points in his debut against the Carolina Panthers, including a game-winning 58-yard kick in a 26–24 victory.
His Week 1 performance earned him American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He finished his rookie season converting 35 of 37 extra-point attempts and 24 of 32 field goal attempts, providing the Browns with a consistent option at kicker for most of the year.
Cleveland Browns Era (2022–2023)
After a strong start to his professional career, York’s second season with the Browns did not unfold as smoothly. He struggled during the 2023 preseason, and after Cleveland acquired veteran kicker Dustin Hopkins from the Los Angeles Chargers, York was waived on August 29, 2023.
He returned to the Browns in March 2024 on a new contract, beginning a second stint with the organization. The reunion was brief, however, as the team later moved in a different direction at kicker, setting the stage for another chapter in York’s career.
Tennessee Titans and New York Giants (2023)
Following his release from Cleveland in late August 2023, York was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad on August 31, 2023. Less than two months later, on November 3, 2023, he was signed off the Titans practice squad by the New York Giants.
York’s time with the Giants was marked by movement between the active roster and the practice squad. He was waived on November 22 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later. After suffering a quad injury in practice, the Giants placed him on injured reserve on December 23. He was not signed to a reserve or future contract and became a free agent at the end of the season.
Washington Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals (2024)
On March 23, 2024, York signed a contract to return to the Cleveland Browns, but he was traded to the Washington Commanders on August 22, 2024, in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He was released by the Commanders on September 9 after missing two field goals in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
York found another opportunity on December 4, 2024, when the Cincinnati Bengals signed him to their practice squad following an injury to starting kicker Evan McPherson. He was promoted to the active roster on December 17 and made an immediate impact, kicking a career-long 59-yard field goal in a Week 16 win over his former Browns team, tying the Bengals franchise record. His stint ended with a missed potential game-winning field goal in overtime against the Denver Broncos in Week 17, though Cincinnati scored a game-winning touchdown as time expired to win 30–24.
New Orleans Saints (2025)
On November 25, 2025, York was signed to the New Orleans Saints roster following the release of Blake Grupe. He was released on December 18, 2025, after Charlie Smyth surpassed him on the depth chart, marking another quick turnaround in his journeyman professional path.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of York’s career is his 58-yard game-winning field goal in his NFL debut for the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He also set an Under Armour All-America Game record with a 59-yard field goal in high school, kicked a 57-yard field goal to upset then-No. 6 Florida while at LSU, and matched the Bengals’ franchise record with a 59-yard field goal against the Browns in 2024.
Cade York Family
Personal Life
Cade F. York was born and raised in McKinney, Texas, and he attended Prosper High School. Beyond his athletic pursuits, limited verified details are available regarding his immediate family and personal relationships. His professional life has largely been defined by his training routine and his frequent moves between NFL organizations.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season has been another transitional year for Cade York. After spending time with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, he joined the New Orleans Saints in late November 2025 following the release of Blake Grupe.
York’s role with the Saints was short-lived. He was released on December 18, 2025, after Charlie Smyth surpassed him on the depth chart. The release added another chapter to a career defined by rapid changes between rosters and practice squads.
Looking ahead, York’s strong leg and his proven ability to connect on kicks from beyond 55 yards make him a candidate to attract interest from teams seeking kicker depth. His journeyman experience has shown that he can step in quickly, as he did with the Bengals in 2024, and deliver in pressure situations when given the opportunity.