Jake Moody Bio
Jake Moody (born November 23, 1999) is an American professional football placekicker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, twice earning All-American honors and winning the Lou Groza Award in 2021. Moody was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, making him only the second kicker since 2016 to be drafted in the top 100 selections. Moody has also played for the Chicago Bears during his professional career.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 209 pounds, Moody has built a reputation as one of the most accurate young kickers in football. He owns multiple program records at the University of Michigan and has contributed to playoff runs at both the college and professional levels. His career has already included a Super Bowl appearance, a conference championship, and a memorable game-winning kick in prime time.
Early Life and Background
Jake Moody was born on November 23, 1999, in Commerce, Michigan, and grew up in the surrounding area. He attended Northville High School in Northville, Michigan, where he played both football and baseball. His early exposure to multiple sports helped him develop the coordination and leg strength that would later define his specialty as a kicker.
During his high school years, Moody stood out as a reliable specialist with a strong leg and consistent mechanics. He became one of the top kicking prospects in the state of Michigan, which eventually drew the attention of several college programs. His performance at Northville set the stage for a successful collegiate career at one of the most storied football programs in the country.
Path to American Football
Following his high school career, Moody committed to the University of Michigan in February 2018. He initially committed to the Wolverines without a scholarship but was placed on scholarship in June 2018, an early sign of the coaching staff’s confidence in his long-term potential. He arrived in Ann Arbor ready to compete for the starting kicking job.
As a true freshman in 2018, Moody wasted little time making an impact by setting a Wolverines single-game record with six field goals in a 31–20 victory over Indiana. In April 2020, he set a personal record in practice with a 69-yard field goal, demonstrating the leg strength that would become a trademark of his game. His development through daily practice and high-pressure game situations prepared him for the national spotlight he would later receive.
Jake Moody Career
College Career (2018–2022)
As a senior in 2021, Moody successfully converted 22 of 24 field goal attempts and all 56 of his extra-point kicks. He also kicked a game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter against Nebraska on October 9. Moody’s 122 points led the 2021 Michigan Wolverines football team in scoring, and he was named the 2021 Bakken–Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year and the Lou Groza Award winner. That season, he also earned consensus All-American honors.
Moody returned for a fifth season in 2022, taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He went 5-for-5 on field goals, including a career-long 54-yard kick, against Michigan State on October 29, 2022. By the end of his senior campaign, he had become the Michigan career field goal leader with 65 makes, surpassing Garrett Rivas. Moody finished his collegiate career with 355 points, setting a new all-time Michigan scoring record and surpassing the previous mark of 354 points set by Rivas. He also set the program record for longest field goal made at 59 yards.
San Francisco 49ers (2023–2024)
Moody was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (99th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft, making him just the second kicker to be selected within the top 100 picks in the last 15 drafts. Despite having been injured in the final preseason game, he was cleared as the starting kicker for the season-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished the 30–7 road victory converting all three field goal attempts and all three extra point attempts, becoming the first rookie kicker since Justin Tucker in 2012 to go 3-for-3 or better on extra points and field goal attempts in a season opener.
During Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs, Moody set the record for the longest field goal made in a Super Bowl with a 55-yard kick in the second quarter. He also made a 53-yard field goal and a 27-yard field goal in overtime, but the Chiefs ultimately won 25–22. Moody finished his rookie season converting 21-of-25 field goals and 60-of-61 extra points, and he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In 2024, Moody began his sophomore season by converting all six of his field goal attempts against the New York Jets, tying the franchise record for most field goals converted in a single game. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for that performance. However, he missed time with a high ankle sprain and finished the year converting 24-of-34 field goals and 32-of-33 extra points. He was waived by the 49ers on September 9, 2025, after a 1-of-3 performance in the season opener.
Chicago Bears (2025)
On September 12, 2025, Moody signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. On October 13, ahead of the Bears’ Week 6 Monday Night Football matchup against the Washington Commanders, he was activated from the practice squad to replace injured starting kicker Cairo Santos. Moody made four of his five field goal attempts and his lone extra point attempt, with a 38-yard kick as time expired securing a narrow 25–24 road victory. He set a franchise record for the most successful field goals in a debut. During Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, Moody made all four of his field goal attempts and both of his extra point attempts in a 26–14 victory.
Washington Commanders (2025–Present)
On November 18, 2025, the Washington Commanders signed Moody off the Bears’ practice squad. He made his Commanders debut in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football, finishing the narrow 27–26 overtime loss by converting both of his field goals and both of his extra points. His late-season move to Washington gave him a fresh opportunity to finish the year on a high note.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Moody’s most memorable career moments are his game-winning kick against the Bears’ Week 6 matchup with Washington, his record-tying six field goals against the Jets, and his Super Bowl record 55-yard field goal in Super Bowl LVIII. He also set the Michigan program record for career points and longest field goal, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished kickers in Wolverines history before his 23rd birthday.
Jake Moody Career Wins
College Highlights
During his time at the University of Michigan, Moody earned consensus All-American honors in 2021 and second-team All-American recognition in 2022. He was a two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection and a two-time Bakken–Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year. His Lou Groza Award in 2021 recognized him as the top kicker in college football that season.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Moody was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2023 after a strong debut campaign with the 49ers. He was also named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his six-field-goal performance against the New York Jets in 2024. His Super Bowl LVIII appearance and his record-setting debut with the Chicago Bears stand as additional highlights of his young professional career.
Jake Moody Family
Personal Life
Jake Moody was raised in Commerce, Michigan, and attended Northville High School, where he developed his kicking skills alongside his high school football teammates. Details about his parents, marital status, and children are not publicly confirmed in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been eventful for Jake Moody, beginning with his release from the San Francisco 49ers after the season opener. He quickly signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad and was elevated to the active roster in October, where he made an immediate impact with a franchise-record debut performance against the Washington Commanders. His consistent accuracy helped stabilize the Bears’ kicking game during a critical stretch of the season.
Following his release from Chicago’s practice squad, Moody was signed by the Washington Commanders in mid-November, where he has continued his late-season production. His debut with Washington came in a primetime overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, but he converted all of his attempts. With several weeks remaining in the regular season, Moody has the opportunity to solidify his role as a reliable kicking option for the Commanders heading into the offseason.